35 Comments
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Jill Gallagher's avatar

CONGRATULATIONS EMILY!!! I'm thrilled for you! Thank you also for encapsulating my feelings about writing SO WELL. I just started noodling around with a novel idea and it's VERY difficult to convince myself to sit down and write despite all of the hurdles I know exist. But you did it! Against all the odds. That fucking rules.

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Jill!! Thank you!! It is SOOO hard. But I hope you do it bc I LOVE your writing!! <3

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Pierre Donaux's avatar

Such a good read in itself, I mean the post, I didn't read your book. I... I'm really happy for you, although I don't know you at all. But your voice is very easy to follow and the content is relatable. So yeah, keep going. And I'll keep going too!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thank you so much!

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L J Honey's avatar

Inspiring read, thanks for sharing your journey

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Jennifer Granville's avatar

What a great read this grey morning. I saw your Note saying you were published, clicked thru out of curiosity and read this. Very happy for you. I am just about to start sending out query letters so next read is your story about 46 queries. Also you v to buy your book as an act of solidarity (and the fun of seeing the results of your journey) I hope you go on having success and getting pleasure from the writing…

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thank you so much!! And good luck on the process, just keep ging!! <3

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Karen Dukess's avatar

I could have written this post myself six years ago when I sold my first novel after a similar trajectory (without having anything to do with tech). My third (the second remains, sadly, unpublished) comes out in June from Simon and Schuster. Also a mystery (of sorts). Look mine up - Welcome to Murder Week - and if it appeals to you, let me know if you want to swap ARCs!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

ah thank you and congrats! would love to swap ARCs!

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Brenna's avatar

Congrats 🍾

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Christa Essig's avatar

SO happy for you! CONGRATS, Emily!!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thank you Christa!! <3

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Ben Izzo's avatar

Congratulations!!! So happy for you and cannot wait to read it.

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Aw thank you Ben!! I want to read yours too!!

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Lynn Steger Strong's avatar

So so happy for you Emily!!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Aww thank you so much Lynn!! <3

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Sarah's avatar

Congratulations, Emily! This is great news - I'm looking forward to reading it ☺

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thanks Sarah!!

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Jen Dyck-Sprout's avatar

I LOVED reading this post, and love even more hearing you’ve reached such a huge milestone! Kudos! I’ll be preordering when it’s time!!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thank you Jen!! I so appreciate all the continued reading and support!! <3

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Clara's avatar

Congratulations, and what a gorgeously heartening read!! xx

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Aw thank you Clara!! Appreciate it!

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Yoko Sakao Ohama's avatar

Congrats, Emily!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

thank you!!

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Mikala Jamison's avatar

Congratulations!!! And thank you for the insight into how this all feels, from a fellow writer who only just landed an agent and knows there is a lot of work, rejection, and Big Feelings ahead.

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

thank you!! and CONGRATS on finding an agent!! honestly getting there is the hardest part IMO.

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Mikala Jamison's avatar

So glad to hear that lol!

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Catherine Baab's avatar

Huge congratulations!!!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thanks Catherine!!

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Sarah Kasbeer's avatar

I love this essay but absolutely demand that you stay INSANE! Congrats!!!!!!

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

hahah Sarah, you know it's impossible for me not to <3

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