No, it's not coffee morning, and it won't be my turn to host until some time in May. I'm doing this post to share some good news.
Yesterday, for the first time, I saw the title of my novel on the Internet when I stumbled across a web page with a mass market lead titles list for 2008. The site even gives the on sale date for the novel: 8/26/08.
Café au Lait is my debut novel, so as you can imagine this is an exciting time for me. The list on which it appears has titles by heavyweights like David Baldacci, Debbie Macomber, Michael Connolly, Jennifer Crusie, Ian Rankin... I'm not sure exactly what 'mass market lead titles list' signifies, but seeing my name in there is a major high. Does it mean that my novel will be elbow to elbow with those big guns on the shelves? That it'll be getting equal promo time?
I can dream, can't I?
If anyone among the Racers knows anything about this list, I'd appreciate if you filled me in. I know, I know, I should address my questions to the agent and editor, but I'm still at the awed neophyte stage where I don't want to "bother" them unless I absolutely have to.
Liane Spicer
"Wordtryst"
17 comments:
Got no idea what the list means, kid, but very cool.
Yep, what KeVin said...
Don't know about the list BUT normally a lead title means your publishers are putting it top of there submissions list for which ever months your book is published in. They are telling the trade they consider it a lead title and worth buying in in great quantities. You publisher will have told you that though, right? Was the page something to do with The Bookseller? This is a trade magazine but one I still subscribe to and every month they list the Best sellers, Majors sellers, worth a look titles to come in 3 or months time.
No idea what the list is but congratulations :)
Woohoo! Great news. I don't know for sure, but Rowan's answer sounds right. If it were me (and I'm hoping someday it will be) I'd shoot a quick e-mail to my agent with the question and the link, so they could get back to me at their leisure. I don't think that would be 'bothering' them at all. Besides, they know you're new and will have questions.
Congratulations Liane. Sounds like we'll be reading it soon!
Brilliant news, well done even if not sure what it means, it has to be good!
Sorry don't know what it means either but it certainly sounds promising. Congratulations.
Neither do I but still I have to say a huuuugggggggggggeeeeeeeeeee contrats to you. x
Thank you, Racers, for all the good wishes.
Rowan, thanks for throwing some light on this for me. I sort of assumed that 'lead title' meant something like that, but I wanted to be sure. No, I haven't been told anything about any of this by the publisher; the editor e-mailed me two weeks ago for biographical info and she said that they were putting marketing/promotion plans together for the September 2008 releases. That's all I know. And it doesn't seem that the webpage I found has anything to do with The Bookseller. It's IPDA.org, which is the International Periodicals Distributors Association. The page has book committee contacts for the various publishers along with the lead titles list.
B.E. Sanderson, I appreciate your very sensible advice, and I'll act on it. You're right, of course. It's not 'bothering' the agent. It's just me being too darned self-effacing. I'm working on that.
How exciting! They're all American publishers I think (?). But yes, to be in there with the lead titles is really fab. Well done! Hope your agent can give you more details. Keep us posted!
Awesome news!!!!
So happy for you, Liane - no idea what it means but it sounds brilliant.
Looking forward to buying a copy which I'll send to you for your autograph please:)
I'm excited about this, so God only knows how you must feel! Congratulaaations!
Thank you, Lucy. I'm not sure if they're all American publishers, but they probably are. I'll post developments as they occur.
Liz, it is, isn't it?
Fiona, thank you very much . I'll be happy to autograph your copy. [Wow!]
Leigh, thank you! I think you understand perfectly!
Also don't forget its your agent works for you, not the other way around! don't be scared to contact agent or publisher. Sounds like they have big plans for you but if they aren't communicating thatwell enough to you then ask - no-one will mind!
Rx
Rowan, thanks for reminding me who works for whom in this arrangement. Because of the atrocious balance of power for beginning writers (agent/editor 100%, writer 0%), it's very easy to forget sometimes.
I e-mailed the agent yesterday. Will post her response when she gets back to me.
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