Yesterday I met a wonderful woman for lunch. (I’m not going to mention her name because I did not  secure her permission before writing this post.)

This woman bought my book for Touchstone/Fireside.  When she met me for the first time she said something I’ll never forget:  “From one black girl next door to another, welcome.”

After the first meeting, I told my agent that I hoped two things.  First, that she would buy the book and become my editor.  Second, that she’d stay in her position long enough to bring the book to publication.

Alas, I only got one of my two wishes.  She bough the book, but got a great big job offer and left.

We kept in have kept in touch and meet in New York as time permits.

Yesterday, I brought her an advanced copy of the book and we talked about life and my new projects as we ate Italian food.  The conversation was absolutely amazing, and I feel a new surge of energy around the new project.

Riding the train home, I realized how much of a difference good editors make in a writer’s life.  I have been blessed with several of them, including the woman who took over the project when my original editor left.

So, the new project feels thoroughly launched, and I can’t wait to begin blogging about it.