Ta-da! I’m here at my new site, using my new blog…it feels so good to be here after having it in the works for so long. I really like the “one-stop shopping” approach, and I like that when I need something changed, I can take care of it myself. I’ve always been an independent sort; I mean, why pass off a job to someone else when it’s faster not to, right? It isn’t that I can’t or won’t delegate when I need to. The operative word, though, is “need.”
Okay, so the site’s up. And, my new book is done and has made it over the first hurdle: that is, my editor has read and accepted it. This is a HUGE relief. Why? Because when an author is writing under contract (as opposed to writing on spec and then selling a finished manuscript), the book may be officially “sold” but that doesn’t mean publication is a done deal. Until I turned in the finished work, my editor had seen only a one-page outline and then, very early into the writing process, a draft of the first 30-40 pages. She trusted me to turn it into a book she’d love, and I trusted myself to be able to do just that–but let me tell you, in the weeks that have passed since I turned it in and then awaited her response, I’ve felt like I was living on the edge of a precipice, with strong winds threatening to push me over into the abyss.
The winds have died down now, and soon I’ll get the editorial letter that will give me direction for revision. Depending on how much work needs done, this letter could be the first and only–though that’s unlikely. If I remember right, we went through two formal rounds with Reunion before it was ready to send on to copyediting. It’s hard to guess how it’ll go, until I get that detailed feedback.
What I can say, however, is that this book (still titled Breakaway, at least for now) will not be published in the spring of ‘10, as had originally been planned. My pub team, bless them, wants to take more time with pre-publication efforts, so that may mean a late summer release or, more likely, an early ‘11 release.
It seems crazy, doesn’t it, that a book that will be finished this summer might not appear in stores for another sixteen-eighteen months? A lot of writers who self-publish list this scenario as one justification for their decision. It’s ready, so put it out there! Let readers have it right away! That view, though, doesn’t take into account how much has to happen behind the scenes in order for readers to find that book in the first place.
Most of the books we pay attention to are the ones that we see. Even word-of-mouth spread, which is out of publishers’ control, can’t happen unless a substantial core of readers get it going. Someone like me, who has two books out in the world and a steadily growing readership, still needs the muscle of national marketing and publicity that only an established publisher can provide, if I’m going to be able to keep writing for a living. According to Bowker, there were more than 47,000 new fiction titles published in 2008. About 10,000 of those competed for major review and feature-article publicity, for bookseller attention, for spotlight marketing. It’s a jungle out there.
Yes, in one way I’m disappointed by the delay–so many of you have (thank you so much) written to say “I can’t wait for the next one!” and I hate to keep you waiting. I’m thrilled, though, to have a pub team that is committed to building my career, not just printing and selling my books.
I hope you’ll stick with me in the meantime! And I hope you’re enjoying your summer. Stay cool!
Nice new place you’ve got here! I love seeing the covers from all the translations down the sidebar. Enjoy your summer and I’m looking forward to reading more from you!
Hey girl! Good to see you! I popped in at your place a while back and saw you’d passed that test you’d been working toward for so long–way to go.
Great news on BREAKAWAY, Therese! Although I must say, I’m not a bit surprised.
You felt you were living on the edge of a precipice? Oh my, what hope is there for the rest of us?
I keep hearing from published writers that it never gets any easier. Couldn’t you guys find something else to say?
But congrats on the acceptance!
Thanks, Judy, but I haven’t seen that ed. letter yet! How are you feeling? I trust all went well on Friday?
Ha, Janet, it’s sad (sort of) but true: it really doesn’t get much easier–sorry!
Now, some (perhaps wiser) writers prefer to be more interactive with their editors while the work’s in-progress. Much less end-game drama that way! But that method just doesn’t work for me, so yeah, I find myself out there on the precipice at the end of every first draft.
It’s a strange dichotomy, having the confidence to risk so much, and then, having done it, feeling such terror afterward.
Yay for Breakaway! I’m really looking forward to it.
Thanks, Sophie!
Loved your honesty. It’s hard stating your fears to the world. Bravo on finishing your book, which is a reward in of itself.
You know so many interesting infomation. You might be very wise. I like such people. Don’t top writing.
Katrina, I appreciate your kind words. Really, I don’t feel especially brave–just want to tell it like it is!
Thank you, Konstantin; I’ll definitely keep writing.
Dear Therese,
I love the new site, especially the blog and the international book covers. It’s very inspiring. I was just posting to my blog saying that I’m mourning the characters in a novel I just finished revising (last week). But, after reading your blog, I realize that a lot of what I am feeling is that feeling you described: teetering on that precipice as I wait to hear what my agent thinks. This book hasn’t sold or anything like that, but I am dying to know what my agent thinks b/c she will let me know if this new novel ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL has a chance of selling, and I’m invested in the characters and story (of course). Plus, so much depends on how THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS fares. But I can definitely say that my agent and publisher, like you described, have worked hard behind the scenes. We sold the novel in November of last year and it won’t be out until April of 2010. It’s a long wait. But, like you said, SO MUCH goes into publishing a book. I hope to have as much success as you’ve had. Thanks for being such a big support to other writers by sharing your experiences. It means a lot!
Hi Michele! Ah, the precipice… Get used to that anxiety, because there are cliffs everywhere in this landscape (to extend the metaphor). I do hope that my sharing experiences and info helps make the journey a little easier for other writers. This is a fickle, illogical business but also an incredibly rewarding one, and I always say, “forewarned is forearmed.”
I’m glad to hear you’ve finished your next book–and I love the title! The good news is that you have plenty of time to work out any issues before M. submits it. And yes, you should definitely feel good about the effort SA is putting into launching your debut. I can’t wait to read it!