Two Firsts (Part 2) - First 9-year-old reading my book

For me, the fame and money would be nice, but really I just want to have my books be published so I can read it to children and see them reading it and loving it. That's the mental picture in my head. 

Last week, I had my first live pitch to an editor who asked for a full manuscript within two weeks. (Click HERE for the neurotic account.) I read through it once more, and sent it off to my agent and two friends for a last sweep.

One of these friends, Jeremy, promised to have his son, Coen, age 9, read it as well. I heartily agreed. 

Of course, I wondered if he would find it dull or worse, stop reading it. (That pesky self-doubt we all have.) Then I got an email from Jeremy that read as followed:

Coen's Notes:

PG.4:  Annalee All of a sudden leaves!?  Real Good Surprise!

PG.21:  Did the Dad Die?

PG.22:  Giant Rabbit?  Hopefully the Dad.

PG.26:  You wrote "a giggled escaped my mouth" instead of "a giggle escaped my mouth."

PG.46:  I LOVE THIS REALM!

PG.67:  NOT THE WONDERSTONE!

PG.76:  Those evil birdmen!  THEY WILL PAY!!

Coen read half of the story this afternoon, and wants to continue tomorrow.  

Overall, Coen says:

"It's surprising, funny, violent and awesome!"

Seriously, this made my day! He loves my realm?!? He's responding to all the tension just the way I hoped readers would!?! I did something right!?!? *flips through word doc to compare notes with chapters.*