For those of you who may now know, I grew up in and around the rural areas of Northeastern NC. We didn’t have any local TV stations but we picked up what we could off of our large roof antenna from the Virginia Beach area which was a good hour away North (and sometimes an hour the other way into Greenville, NC).
I remember watching the Carvel commercials and wishing I could have a Fudgy the whale cake for my birthday, but there was no way that was going to ever happen since the closest Carvel was somewhere up in WAVY TV-10′s regular viewing area of Hampton Roads.
This struck me last night as I walked into Bloom to pick up Dr. Pepper for Ken and a snack for us to celebrate with. I was going to get some cookies, but they were out of my favorites, so I stopped by the freezer case near the deli and looked eye to eye with that pink Carvel box.
Ok, it wasn’t a Fudgy the whale cake but it was a small chocolate and vanilla ice cream cake with icing and sprinkles that was just the right size for 2-4 people. Would it ruin the healthy eating I had done with the day? Yep. Would it be totally worth it. Yep.
Oh Ikea, how I love thee
And, coincidentally, I must have had cake on the brain because the picture here was taken quite a few hours early while we were shopping at Ikea because I wanted a new Facebook profile picture.
Oh, I bet you want to know what we were celebrating? We really don’t just gratuitously sit around and eat cake every weekend.
Well, I received word that my first full length collection of poetry is going to be published! Until I get final details I won’t go into where and when etc but I am just absolutely thrilled to have had my work selected and I can’t wait to go through the editorial process!
Now, if this wasn’t enough, I also received an email last night that one of my Zombie Girl poems was accepted for publication (see my publications tab for more details). Regular readers of this site gave me some helpful suggestions on it when I posted and early draft here, so thank you!
These things also tie so well together because now that the first book has been accepted, even though there will be work to do on it, I feel like I am more free to work on what are going to be a 2nd and 3rd manuscript. Not to mention a bunch of chapbook ideas I have floating around.
Maybe all this excitement (and sugar) was part of why I woke up so early on a Sunday! Oh well, more time to Tweet, FB and read – all probably in that order 
*screams like a girl*
I TOLD YOU SO!
I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am for you! You are proof that if you’ve got the talent and if you put the hard & dedicated work in, things will happen. I know how hard you’ve worked for this – I think anything who follows your blog knows this – and I am absolutely thrilled for you! You deserve all the cake you want!!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!!!
This is a BIG deal. Do you understand how much coolness this moment holds? I’m doing backflips for you, and I am not a coordinated person.
I am so proud of you, as I am sure all your friends and loved ones are.
After I buy my copy, I want it signed. Not just signed. I want it signed underneath an acrostic poem spelling my first name.
I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
I can’t let this overshadow the Zombie poem, or the Zombie poem would be jealous. Congrats on that too!
I think the poetic stars are aligning for you Ms. Carty. Are you sure about taking a full time job? Seems like you might have some other obligations…. (Book tours, appearances on Oprah, supermarket openings).
Scream as much as you want you just gave me the biggest smile!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I’ll get to be the cheerleader when your book comes out, cause I know it is gonna happen!
Acrostic poem – hmmm, making a note because you know I don’t back down from a challenge
You don’t want to make the Zombie girl jealous, although she really isn’t into brains – she is SOOO over that.
Poetry at supermarket openings – ya know – that isn’t a bad idea….hmmmmm, but yeah I’ll still be taking on a full time job I’m just being really picky about what I apply for
Ok am I smiling enough
Thank you thank you thank you!
Congrats, Jessie! So awesome. And I LOVE the cake hat. I might have to drive to our Ikea and see if they have them here…
Thanks J it is SOOO awesome
I may actually have to go back and buy it or some of the others, they also had one with fruit and I believe one where you looked like a flower pot. I’m sure yours will have them because ours has had them for a while!
Congratulations!
Thanks Paul
OMG! I was hoping your good news had something to do with a major publication! Congratulations! You are such an inspiration!
Thanks Jonterri
I can’t wait to tell you guys more about how it all came to be!
Great news about the book, Jessie! I’m excited for you. Very timely–zombies seem to be popular. I look forward to it.
Sam
Thanks Sam! Zombies will actually be eating their way through my 2nd book – in progress!