I can happily say goodbye to 2009, a bumpy year at best, and welcome 2010 with open arms. It’s not every year you can say that a lifelong dream will be fulfilled!
The road to publication in 2010 has been long: The idea for my series was conceived in 2002, my agent sold it in 2008, and publication will be in May 2010. Almost here!!! But now comes the scary part—my ARC will go to reviewers and buyers and librarians, all people paid to judge whether my book is worthy of their pages or shelves. Not quite sure which side I’ll end up on. As much as I say I won’t listen to reviews, that the joy is in the writing and publishing, I have to be honest: it will suck.
Just chalk it up to one more thing the writer has little control over once the book is baked. The hardest thing about publishing has been this lack of control; once the manuscript is in the agent’s hands you pretty much give it up. You can help shape your book’s destiny by the choices you make, but the real power is in the agent’s hands. When the book sells, that power then transfers to the publishing house. Cover art, cover copy, catalog copy, ARC distribution, publicity—all those things that matter heavily in the success of your product you have little say in. So for a Type-A control freak like me, this part is scary. I have been trying to grasp the concept of this thing called “patience” but apparently I am a slow learner.
For now, I’ll focus on what I can control: making Book Two as good as it can be! For until I hand it off, the power still lies with me.
Happy happy new year to one and all. May it be a year filled with abundant good reads!
1 week ago
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13 comments:
I think it will be a great year for you, Christy! People will love your book and it will do great! Let's keep our fingers crossed for a wonderful year.
I'm definitely not a type A personality...maybe a P or Q...but I'm with you all the way.
Setting your nurtured baby free for the world to judge can be a scary experience.
I'm certain your book will do well, to get to publication is such a huge achievement in itself.
Maureen. www.thepizzagang.com
Yay for 2010! I have a real good feeling about this year, I hope I'm right and it brings you goodness too! :]
Yes. The ARC part is a little bit scary. But your debut year will be wonderful. Enjoy every moment of it, Christy. I'm looking forward to reading your book!
Happy 2010, Christy! I think this will be a great (and exciting!) year for you, and all those people working behind you at the publisher will do a fantastic job!!!
Enjoy, it's going to be amazing :)
Proud as punch (whatever that means)! 2010 is the year we've all been waiting for. I am also glad to be rid of 2009, a rather pitiful year (and decade). This is your year to shine!
Love, Mom
A year with a life-long dream realized is a darn good one. Enjoy!
I'm anxiously awaiting your book!! Congrats on making it through the long haul of publication.
I'm so glad 2010 is here! Your book is going to get excellent reviews and everyone will know what I know. That you're a genius. :-)
Happy new year to you, and best of luck with book 1! (And book 2, of course, but especially book 1.)
Happy New Year Christy! I, for one, am certain (based on reading your blog for 2-3 years) that your book will be incredible! I have been waiting anxiously to read it :-)
2010 is where it's at!
It seems like the best and only thing you can do is focus on the writing in front of you. And that seems a perfect place to start this next decade. What an amazing year behind you and ahead of you. I look forward to reading about it on your blog!
It's an exciting year for you!
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