I just signed my very first contract a few days ago for a story that's going to be published in e-book format in December, and will possibly go to print depending on how it does. Even though it's a small accomplishment, the process of submitting and getting accepted has been exciting for me!
The book is an anthology and had a 'call to submission' but the editor liked some stories I already had posted on another site and wrote to me asking me to consider submitting something. That, in itself, was very flattering.
I'd love for it to be a stepping stone to hopefully publishing more pieces in the future. The confidence I've gained from posting online and getting instant feedback and critique has been immeasurable.
Even if I never get to publish anything else, I'll always write for my own pleasure and enjoyment. But yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't say that a beach house with bleached wood floors, my laptop, an almost finished manuscript and a glass of bordeaux isn't one of my all time favourite writer fantasies...
