I had a nice bag (about which I was very excited), so I turned around to find a grinning-twentysomething sitting with an identical red leather bag. A, might I add, pregnant twentysomething (I was also a pregnant twentysomething, so this was instant bonding material). We started talking, and I ended up moving back to sit beside her.

Since September of ’07, I’ve been there praying as Stephanie submitted to agents and eventually signed with Kelly Mortimer. I’ve been there praying as Kelly submitted to every publisher under the sun. I was on Stephanie’s To Call list when she heard back from Revell and did a happy dance with her when they said, “Yes!”

When the book finally arrived in my mailbox, I jumped for Joy and said, “My niece is here!” I can’t quite call it my baby, but since Stephanie is a sister of my heart, “niece” is totally appropriate.

I’ll probably post more about Stephanie on later Fridays (when I don’t have other people begging to be highlighted, lol) and as her other books come out. But for now, check out my review of Me, Just Different and all the fun bonus matieral up at the bottom of it, including an interview with Stephanie, an article I wrote about her book and Young Adult fiction in general, and character sketches. Also be sure to check out Stephanie’s website and blog.