My Book Published

Hello all...

I hope you don't mind me posting this here, but my blog died a death recently so this seems like the most appropriate place.

My second novel was published last week, which is of course a momentous event. Only the second book I ever wrote, only the second publishing deal I've ever had, and it's a major international publisher at that. And the advance (approx 4500 quid - I don't believe in being coy about these things; apart from anything else it can be helpful for fellow writers to have some idea what's involved in each other's careers) was nearly five times as much as the advance I got for my first novel, so I ought to be dead excited. Not that money is the most important thing, but it's a vague indicator of progress, recognition-wise.

But I have a confession to make: I'm not excited. This is partly because I've been quite depressed this year, which is more post-natal than anything and another matter entirely, but of course colours everything I do. It's also because the book wasn't published in England, or even in English. It was in a foreign country, and has been translated accordingly.

Which means that nobody I know can read it. It also means that, for me, it's a non-event. No author publicity, nothing at all to indicate that it's even happened - indeed I was told the publication date was July, and only found out it had been published by accident. I'm struggling to find out if there are any reviews out there (I don't think there are) because of course if I google it, then all the results come back in a foreign language.

At first I thought it was all rather hilarious, but that was when my agent was assuring me that other countries (specifially the UK) would all be offering me deals very soon, and it was only a matter of time before the book was available here. But, for reasons I sadly can't go into (although not my fault at all), I no longer have an agent... and it's looking very unlikely that there'll be any more deals.

Not only that, but I haven't received my complimentary copies of the book, and am having trouble tracking them down. So I haven't even seen the damn thing, apart from online (link below).

Here I am, in this weird limbo... my baby is out there, it's going to be read by people... but it's like there's an embargo, and everyone I know and care about is banned from reading it.

Anyway. I'm sorry this is a bit negative. I thought about doing an upbeat "Yay, I've just been published!" post, but that would have been dishonest.

On the plus side, my life in general is looking up, and I'd tentatively say that the depression has lifted. As a result I've started feeling good about people reading my book. Who cares if they speak a different language? They're people, and they count. I also managed to find this (translated into English here), which is my book on someone's ListMania list on Amazon. I'm not sure if it means someone has read it and is recommending it, or that it's on their wish list, but anyway. Somebody put it in a list! This makes me happy.

I also found this, which is the publisher's page on the book (scroll down to see a high-resolution version of the cover) (translation here), and seems to contain one of those browse-the-book thingummies which allows you to read some or all of it online. I particularly like the way, according to google's translation, I am in their "Women's Novels" category, in the sub-category "Naughty Women"!

It's a weird old life, being an author. When my first book was published I was the most excited I've ever been. I knew the road wouldn't be easy from there, but I confess I thought it'd be a little more straightforward than it has been. My first publisher ceased trading less than two years after the book was published. My second book is only available in another country and I've already been through two agents... and this September, mainly due to financial constraints, I'm starting a new career which will take a lot of dedication and commitment and will mean I'll have to stop writing for at least two years. I've had to accept that Novel III, my current WIP, is unlikely to be in a publishable state before September, so will have to be shelved for a while.

I'll still be a writer and I'll pick it all up again in the future, but this publication feels more like an end than a beginning. And in a few weeks I'll probably be hanging up my Novel Racers hat and vacating a space for someone new.

But I console myself with the thought that it was always like this; is supposed to be this way. Whatever people say about the current state of the publishing industry and how it may have waxed and waned over the years, the majority of writers have always been penniless, stressed out and slightly insane. I knew this. For that reason alone, I can call myself A Proper Writer. ;O)


Update: here is the English-language blurb, in case of you know any German speakers who might like to read it:

It's completely mental. Or so Leo thinks, and he should know - because Leo is a mentalist.

Henrietta thinks people should stay the hell out of each other’s heads, keep their hands to themselves, and dance with people they know. Not with strangers. Not in public. And especially not psychically. That’s just ridiculous.

Psychic Dancing is a New Age sensation, but is it a trick of the mind? A harmless self-help technique? Or a breakthrough in human consciousness, which will end all pain and disease?

Leo makes money from reading minds, so he knows full well it’s a con. But Leo’s gigs are poorly attended, and Psychic Dancing’s a hit. So when his dead grandad sends an insult from the grave, Leo does something drastic.

Henrietta’s past won’t leave her alone, her son wants a father, her new neighbour's a Psychic Dancing fanatic and Henrietta’s fallen in love with Belle, who loves Leo, who loves Denzel, who will only love him back if Leo admits he’s gay.

The climax comes in the Albert Hall in the presence of thousands, when something magical happens. Something which surprises everyone.

Told with humour, a twisted eye and some magical know-how, this book is an energetic and intriguing tale of love, lust and illusion. With a cast of tricksters, worshipers, lovers and bent spoons, it will have you guessing - and believing - to the end.

After all...

We easily believe what we ardently desire to be true.