My office shelf. What does it all mean?

I got a book deal!

A real book deal! With a publisher, an advance, royalties, and everything!

I feel so lucky. Crazy lucky! And I’m so, so excited because this book is about one of my favorite things ever…hiking!

The wonderful people at Avalon Travel hired me to write a hiking guide book that includes trails within a two-hour drive of Phoenix. It’s part of their Moon Outdoors Take a Hike series that already includes other big cities like Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, New York City and others.

And I get to write one for Phoenix!

I’m still in shock.

I’ve been dying to make this announcement but had to wait until the ink was dry. Just now, I initialed and signed the contract. It’s waiting in my mailbox for the carrier to pick it up.

(Done deal, right? Still, my paranoia is taking its toll. What if something falls through? What if someone who hates me writes a nasty letter to the publisher? What if I break my foot tomorrow? Deep breaths, Lilia. Ten minutes of meditation and you’ll soon be back to reality.)

Aside from all that, I’m so jazzed! So happy!

And I have my plan all worked out. I’ve got around 80 hikes (wow!) to complete in the coming months. I’ve attached a date to each hike and already started writing. I have an outline, a detailed format to follow (so thankful for the structure the publisher has provided), backup hikes, and a stack of books and maps. I even have a helpful goal sheet to keep me motivated.

Big thanks to writing mentors, friends, family, all you beloved blog readers, and the universe!

Now the real work begins. I’m itching to color that next Nyan Cat rainbow stripe.

Oh, and in case you are curious, the recent posts about intimidating projects, goal sheets, mystery trails, and summer hiking were all inspired by the application and proposal process.