Gentle Reader,
If you cast your eyes ever so slightly to the right, you will see my “Progress Report” Bar. Do notice that it is completely, completely, filled in with a lovely purple hue from left all the way to the right. Yes, it’s really true this time. I have, to the best of my current ability, completed Novel “2,” now known as A Clash of Innocents. Set in Cambodia in 2007 and against the backdrop of the Tribunal held to bring the leaders of the Pol Pot era to justice, it follows the lives of Western adults and Khmer children and their Phnom Penh orphanage. It is a story about hidden identities and questioned motives, about the aftermath of murder, guilt and innocence. Undoubtedly, you’ll be hearing more about this as time goes by. But I thought this might be a particularly good time for me to look back on the roller coaster that was the publication of my first novel, Tangled Roots, and help remind us all of the sorts of highs and lows the coming months may have in store. In some ways, writing the thing is the easy part……
We begin in 2005:
I finish my manuscript. UP
I sign on with an agent. UP
We show it to over 40 US publishers who mostly love it but don’t want to publish it (for “marketing reasons”) DOWN
During the course of writing what I thought was novel 2, I realize that I am actually writing the other half of novel 1 and do a complete rewrite DOWN then UP
Agent brings new novel to NY Book Fair. Many love it, but don’t want to buy it (for “marketing reasons”) DOWN
After a year of rejections by “the big boys,” I get tired of it all and show it to the editor of bluechrome for his advice. He asks to publish it though advises me to show it to the big UK firms first. I decide I’ve had enough showing it around and I say yes to his publishing it. UP
I begin my blog and my new life on the internet UP
The hard cover of Tangled Roots is launched. HUGE UP
I hire a pr firm who set up a series of interviews and articles about me and my new book. UP
Lovely reviews start coming in UP, but none in mainstream press DOWN
I pack my bags and go out on the road, visiting bookstores around the UK, selling handfuls of books as I go. UP
My agent suddenly and unexpectedly retires. DOWN
No foreign rights of any sort have been sold. DOWN
I (temporarily, as it turns out) sign up with a lovely new agency so that my book isn’t out there all alone in the world UP
The paperback is published UP
My publisher begins to disappear without any indication of distribution, press, royalties etc. DOWN
My publisher disappears for good, so it seems. DOWN
And now it is four years, 11 UPs and 8 DOWNs later. I’m that much older, somewhat wiser, just as optimistic but with a stronger light of reality shining in my eyes. I won’t pretend that riding these roller coasters are easy. I also won’t pretend that I don’t fight nearly every day against varying degrees of fatigue and despair. But I’m still here. A new book is written. I’m sure it will have its own tumultuos life and I will be moaning and celebrating with you here throughout. So, what have I learned from all this? Nothing, except that reason has very little to do with this writing life of ours. The highs of the ups don’t always make up for the lows of the downs. But the more I allow myself to think about stopping the roller coaster and getting off, the more I realize I never will.
“So”, she says with a very deep breath and a resigned nod of the head, “ever onward.”
Great post Sue, I can identify with the roller coaster! Here’s to your new book and lots more ups (cheers)
I think publishers need a good kick up the backside!!
‘Love it but can’t publish it for ‘marketing reasons’!! (WTF?)
It horrifies me that my reading material is being limited ‘because of marketing reasons’. Tangled Roots was absolutely wonderful and I always recommend it when I’m talking to someone about reading and books.
Come on publishing people…I can’t wait to read this!!
C x
What a great post. All the very best of luck with this one. (Everything is crossed.)
Word Verif: falic. An illiterate school boy?
Don’t get me wrong Carol, but I think we as writers forget that we are a can of beans, a product, a new car and its how well that product will sell. We think the publishers owe us something because we are artists. But if we are only going to sell a few hundred copies of quality literature they aren’t interested. I can see why they won’t invest. Very frustrating but a fact.
Sue good luck, goes without saying.
http://glynpope.blogspot.com/
Ah signs of the times, eh – thoroughly depressing. But you’re wiser, you have the experience and you know how to fight the good fight.
Huge good luck with book #2, Sue – and lots and lots more ups! x
Sue, I do think in some ways your downs have been a bit more down than the norm.
Our publishing environment in Southern Africa is, of course, different than yours but still there is always that decision to fight for the big publishers who want safetywhen they proceed with you or go with the little guys and ride the waves and occassionally get wiped out. Here we luckily don’t have the added headache of agents.
Your new book sounds fascinating. I wish it the best of luck and 22 UPS and 0 downs.
Fingers and everything else crossed for the new book.
Onward and UPward! Best of luck with book 2.
xx
Brilliant title! May your ups reach the highest heights and your downs be both brief and shallow. x
What a really great post.
If the highs don’t always negate the lows, it just shows that you’re in it for the love of writing. I hope you have plenty of Big Ups coming your way:-)
Congratulations, Sue, re-writes finished!
Your Ups and Downs sound frighteningly familiar. (In fact, as you know, very similar!) And the thought of going through them all again…but no choice. It has to be done.
I’m afraid Mr. Pope is right, it is a business for everyone except maybe for those writers who don’t actually make a living out of it. Maybe if you were one of the ones who did, you would be writing books you didn’t like so much.
I’ll never forget being told by one established publisher that my first book didn’t have enough swearing or sex in it for their readers. They apparently expect more, if it is in the crime genre! I politely asked her if she jumped into bed with everyone she met at five minutes notice. I didn’t get an answer though…
Joe
(PS thank you for your comment on my book a couple of posts back. I was unfortunately off mail and internet for a while, so I couldn’t respond and say thank you.)
Life is full of ups and downs but we just have to carry on regardless.
Good luck with the new book Sue!
Fiona ,JJ, Ab Van, Helen, Angie,Debi, Lane: Sorry about the group thanks but, THANKS! Your encouragement means a lot!
Carol, Glyn, Joe: Yes, publishing IS a business. Of course. And it should be. Poor guys, I do feel sorry for them. Their industry is in a bit of a mess these days. But of course, they wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for us and for me, at least, I need to occasionally vent, pat myself and others on the back, and stand up and be counted to be able to continue on with head held high.
Lauri: that’s fascinating about the difference between publishing here and in Africa. I just assumed the same issues and procedures held true for both. Silly of me. No agents? Amazing….
Cathy: Oh yes, life is definitely full of ups and downs. It’s helpful to me though to take a look in the rearview mirror from time to time (so to speak) just to remind myself of what’s been and try to prepare myself for what might come — or at least TRY to prepare myself (a quixotic venture to be sure, but still). Thanks.