It’s official.
I am getting published.
I just signed a contract to have one of my photos used for a book cover. (insert happy dance here) I will refrain from giving any details on the book until the author releases it. But to those of you close to me – I will be happy to share in private. I have to admit its an incredible feeling. I never really imagined I would have a photo published this soon – and I know there are so many more incredible and talented photographers out there. And the whole “Me? really? my photo?!” feeling overwhelmed me the past week and a half as I negotiated and finalized the deal between myself and the publishers.
I have to say that the authors are so incredibly nice, charming and lovely throughout this whole process. On top of their novel being something quite compelling and touching on subjects that might make some readers a little uncomfortable. This made the idea of being part of their project that much more special for me.
One detail I haven’t shared is that the photo they asked to license is also a photo I took of myself. This was a little challenging for me. First, I publicly announced to friends and friends of friends on Twitter the day before getting the e-mail from the publishers that I was/am proud about being a behind-the-scenes kind of woman. I revel in the delight of shining the spotlight on someone else and building that spotlight for them. I have never been the kind to desire it. My happiness is seeing others (more importantly, those I love) shine. I am good at this.
What I am not good at is fully embracing the light cast on me. I guess this is rooted from feeling that all pride and ego are negatives. And this is something I am learning to unlearn. A good amount of pride or rather sense of it – is healthy. I am learning to accept great things tailored just for me. This whole experience has been such a great lesson in accepting goodness, greatness, awesomeness… and understanding that the source of that is built by my own hands… and it comes from me. There is nothing wrong with being proud of what I have done. And what I am capable of doing.
*patting myself on the back* Job well done, Melissa. Job well done.
Thank you so much to all my friends and family who have shown support and delight in my experience. I am looking forward to the release of the book.
10 Comments
April 22, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Love. Congrats, star.
April 22, 2009 at 9:36 pm
so excited for you! you must let us know when the book comes out. is it the photo above, or is that more to fit the title of this blog post?
April 22, 2009 at 9:39 pm
kathy – the photo i used for the post is just for the post. i’ll show you the published photo soon
April 22, 2009 at 9:40 pm
yay! and whee! but mostly yay!
April 22, 2009 at 9:43 pm
HOORABIES! Congrats. <):’D
April 22, 2009 at 9:51 pm
whoo-hooo!!!! see all the good things
April 22, 2009 at 10:10 pm
So proud of you and excited for this important acknowledgment of your incredible work. Hugs to you. Can’t wait to see it!
April 22, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Job well done, indeed! Yay! And I’m happy that this lesson about acknowledging (and allowing) pride in your achievements is such a positive one. Way to go, mellemusic!
April 22, 2009 at 11:25 pm
<3
so excited for you.
April 23, 2009 at 1:57 pm
This is so very awesome, as are you my dearest.