When 25-year-old University of Memphis graduate Johanna Edwards sat down to write her first novel, "The Next Big Thing," she never dreamed that phrase would soon describe her future as an author with a six-figure advance and a contract for a second book.

"I've always dreamed of becoming a published novelist," said Edwards, who got her BA in journalism from The U of M in 2001. "I can't believe it's real."

Edwards, who found the job market tough after Sept. 11, went to England for six months through a work-aboard program and returned to Memphis to take a job with "Book Talk," the author-interview show, which is nationally syndicated by the public library's WYPL-FM radio station.

She said she has always loved to read and enjoys meeting famous authors as the producer of "Book Talk," and that served as a catalyst for writing her own novel.

"As I met and listened to all the authors we would interview, I would be thinking to myself that if they could do it, I could do it, too," Edwards said.

Unable to write during the day because of her job, Edwards began writing from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.. She routinely read an excerpt of any book she had on hand to get her creative juices flowing.

Many authors take months or years to write a novel --Edwards took one month from start to finish.

"The Next Big Thing," which falls into the publishing category of commercial women's fiction known as "chick lit," is the story of Kat, an aspiring novelist in Memphis, who has had bad luck in love and life. She thinks getting on a reality TV show will turn things around for her, but only chaos ensues.

"The main character is loosely based on my own experiences heightened to extremes," Edwards said with a laugh.

Edwards crafted her writing abilities working as a writer and editor for the arts and entertainment section of The Daily Helmsman for almost three years. She said her journalism classes and Helmsman experience led to her success as a novelist.

"I learned how to do interviews, research and take criticism of editing," Edwards said.

After finishing her novel, Edwards faced the daunting task of getting it published. Edwards put her research skill to use. She gained knowledge about publishers and, more important, literary agents.

Of the 24 agents Edwards wrote or e-mailed, 14 asked to see her full manuscript. After reading the novel, several agents expressed interest in representing her, but Edwards was signed by her "dream agent," Jenny Bent, a prominent New York agent.

"She wasn't accepting new clients, but I sent a query letter anyway because the worst she could do was say no," Edwards said.

Bent sent several publishers "The Next Big Thing" on a Friday, and by Tuesday, Edwards had publishing offers. Although several publishers were competing for the chance to publish the book, Bent and Edwards settled on Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Books. "The Next Big Thing" is due in bookstores in April 2005, and Edwards' second novel, which she is writing now, will be published in April 2006.

Edwards' agent is also exploring the possibility of selling the movie rights to one or both books, and Edwards says she'd like to see Reese Witherspoon or Kate Hudson play her main character.

The six-figure advance, possible movie deals and the Mercedes C320 she plans to buy with her first advance check could easily be the most rewarding aspects of this experience, but for Edwards, only one thing stands out.