Two weeks went by and we were continuing to send out pieces each day.

Then Ellen called.

She called and Brad answered. He was calm, and handed me the phone. A voice on the other end asked calmly, "Is this Stephanie?" I confirmed that is was and the lady on the other end identified herself as Ellen from Simon & Schuster.

She asked, "Are you sitting down?" I sat for a moment and then she said, "Your book has been picked up by our firm and we are granting you a $25,000 advance!" Not knowing what to say next, I jumped nearly out of my shoes and screamed at the top of my lungs, "I am going to be published!"

Brad immediately ran to the fridge and got another bottle of champagne. And this time, he popped the good stuff. Mumm Napa.

I continued to be running around like a blubbering idiot and ran upstairs with my glass of champagne that Brad had poured me to change. We were going out on my dime, and it was not going to be to McDonald's or Burger King.

Osteria Panevino would be the reason for the season; and I meant season, as I knew this contract was just the beginning of a long run of things to do. Book signings, road tours, and many nites of celebration.

I just could NOT wait for the fun to begin. I had done it!