Well the news is ... no more news. Well nothing good anyway. Lovely Agent is away for a fortnight now and explained before she went that a lot of editors are on holiday during August.
My novel is still out with publishers, but I've been warned it could all take a lot longer than expected due to the current 'difficult climate.' Uh-oh. There have already been some passes, the reasons mostly being of the 'budgets/timing/we-loved-it-but-have-no-available-slots' variety. Oh dear.
All rather disheartening. Lovely Agent did say it took the agency 18 months and 30 rejections to get one of their authors published, and she's doing very nicely indeed now and that I mustn't give up hope, but still ...
All this waiting and hoping and dreaming has rather drained my enthusiasm for further writing, apart from a couple of short stories, so this morning I dragged my carcass to a local coffee shop with a notepad and pen, and managed to scribble a few pages of my new novel away from the distractions of the computer. The tea was surprisingly decent too. (I rarely drink coffee, even in coffee shops.)
Another distraction - not entirely welcome - is having our old kitchen ripped out. Floors, ceiling, wiring the lot. Obviously we're having a new one fitted, we're not having it ripped out for fun or anything. Trouble is, we seem to have uncovered a catalogue of disasters, from an unsupported wall that could crash down at any moment, to an ominous leak under the floor meaning it's got to be dug up and investigated by the water board. AARRGGHH!! I've already put my mum off coming down twice because of the chaos, but it'll be time for her Christmas visit at this rate.
A much nicer distraction is L-Plate author, Mel's, new blog High Heels and Book Deals, which is worth a look if you haven't already been over there. Lots of writerly interviews, features and book reviews to wallow in, and I even won a copy of Lucy Diamond's new novel Sweet Temptation over there.
Which cheered me up no end.
30 comments:
oh dear, I'm sorry you're having such a frustrating time. There's been a lot of stuff on the blogosphere lately about how tough it is, so it's not just you or anything wrong with your I'm-sure-delightful book (as proven by the German acceptance) but I know that doesn't make it any easier. Hopefully when it all settles into a new publishing paradigm it'll be clearer how things stand, so please keep going on the second book, too. You never know how things might change.
I also think having your kitchen ripped out is a marvellous way of distracting yourself - though relieved to hear it wasn't just done in temper! I've put off having mine done for just the reasons that you are experiencing - anything I try to fix in my house reveals a myriad of new problems before we even start so I've stopped doing anything.
Hope the shorty successes keep coming in to help you keep your chin up!
Karen, don't worry. It often takes many months to sell a book. But good to get on with your next novel, because publishers may want to make sure you are capable of doing it again (and again!) before they offer for book A. I think the German auction deal sounds so exciting and brilliant, very encouraging. You have to acquire a thick skin and patience to cope with being an author though!
Waiting is the worst, isn't it. I HATE IT! Still, sounds like there are a lot of good things in the works for you. Good luck!
All good things and all that...good thing you have all the distractions to stop you chewing those nails off.
Take heart Karen, at least your ms is going German!
There are romance authors out here that have subbed first chapters, had them picked up and enthused over and requests for more by chaps by eds - right through to full ms - and then for no apparent reason the big R, and all this along with previous good editor feedback.
Personally, the world of publishing and editors is in state of confusion: eds not even knowing what it is they're seeking.
After all, they spout requirements as "new twists on old themes" and "new voices". Then they go for same old plots we've all read a half-dozen times or more, and authors they know rather than untried newbies.
So I guess the term "the devil you know" has greater value in the world of publishing and from both sides of the bartering coin.
best
F
Hang in there, Karen; this, too, will pass.
Hi Karen. Oh dear, my heart dropped with no doubt with yours at the words 'current difficult climate'. This waiting must be so hard for you - take comfort that you have an agent though (and a deal in Germany!) and at least you are On Your Way (said so firmly it needed capitals).
August though... can't believe in a way I sent my query out in the summer holidays. I fear the people I queried are actually taking a well earned break and my ms is being buried unseen under a huge pile - I picture each day fifty more ms proposals adding to that pile and my heart sinks further! Oh dear. I haven't even got any chocolate here to cheer me up! Can I help you rip out your kitchen please instead?
Oh, the waiting must be so difficult, Karen. Maybe the kitchen is a useful distraction, if not a welcome one.
Anyway, fingers crossed for you. Hope you are having a few treats with those cups of tea. Best wishes.
I can imagine it's hard to stay motivated in the circumstances. You've done so well to get an agent, and also with your successful German deal. Hang in there and dream of your lovely new kitchen!
Keep writing, I have seen other writers where you are and they have ended up with published novels.
Kitchen refits can be lovely or maddening. The contractors nearly caught fire in ours, forgot to unhook the dishwasher, small sparks flying...
But that said, it's done, feels great, not like waiting for book news. I'm querying right now, sent the synopsis and two chapters to one agency and was told the premise was interesting, but...
Sigh. Wait wait wait.. I so know how you feel!! :))) Cuppa being brewed in the meantime and good luck with the writing!
Hang on in there, future bestselling novelist!
Waiting is so frustrating and I hope things start to move soon.
Our neighbours are having fun (not) with their kitchen replacement too, poor things.
Congratulations on the book win though. x
Hope the wait is over soon. And meanwhile, good luck with the kitchen!
Keep on going, Karen. Just keep thinking of the end product, in both cases. :-)
(((hugs))) - and patience. And meanwhile keep writing. Shorts if not novels, at least they provide interim money!
I've a wee notion that writing is like baking a rich fruit cake. You purchase the ingredients, mix them all together, line the cake tin, take the mixture and pop it in the oven. Clarkey, your cake is at the baking stage, be patient! It may take a while to cook. In the meantime why not make a few cupcakes, in the form of short stories.
Crumbs..... I do talk a load of twaddle at times, still I've got a reputation to maintain ;-)
Tommox
Waiting sucks in most circumstances, but I can understand your hair tearing when another publisher has already said yes!
I like notepads for writing, though it does feed my addiction for buying the things. That and not getting around to typing them in afterwards...
Must be very frustrating, the waiting, not to mention the kitchen renos. All the best..:)
You have my sympathy with waiting. I want everything to happen now if not sooner. I'm sure the wait will be worth it in the end - a bit like the kitchen.
I am so with you on the waiting honey - hang on in there, as I keep on telling you...
We will get there and we can celebrate with hot chocolate in Birmingham ;)
Chin up
Thanks for the mention of the blog sweetie
Waiting's always hard. Here's hoping you hear good news soon.
XX
The waiting is horrible, but I've a feeling you'll get some good news eventually. Not that I've got any special future-telling powers or anything, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it will be soon.
The problems you're having when getting your kitchen done reminds me of all our problems when getting the conservatory. More things that needed doing kept coming to light, adding on to the time and expense of getting it finished. But we got there in the end.
You have my total sympathy, Karen. The publishing year is full of 'nothing happens in August ... they're preoccupied with Frankfurt ... London Book Fair ... yaddah, yaddah. My novel took 15 months and 14 rejections before it sold - I was lucky enough to have a really stalwart agent who stuck by me and it and it sounds as if you have a good one too. It's totally horrible, being in this helpless place. I wonder if editors quite understand how painful and frustrating it is for us. But hang on in there - you'll get there, I'm absolutely sure of it, and we'll all be cheering like crazy for you! x
There'll be exciting news come September I bet.
And I sympathise re the kitchen - I found it impossible to write without one.
It'll be worth it in the end - the waiting and the kitchen. Of that I'm sure.
I have a picture of you in mind - preparing celebratory nibbles in your new kitchen. It will happen...:-)
Gosh i had no idea how tough it would be even after you get an agent. It's good to see that a change of scene at the coffee shop has enabled you to continue writing. The enthusiasm will return I am sure. Good luck. If it helps, my friend calls this your 'waiting time'. it will pass and you will be published!
Madeleine x
Hey, Karen
Congratulations on the German deal - that's fantastic!
As for the waiting, I do know how you feel but, yes, try to keep going on the second book. LOL I wish I could practise what I preach.
xxPat
Wishing you well for the future and may your new kitchen bring you good luck. :)
Thank you all for your lovely, heartwarming reassuring comments - especially when I've been so bad at replying lately!
Am finally getting back in the groove now after a busy summer :o)
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