It's been roughly three weeks since my last post, I took time off to enjoy the summer and relax with my kids. And what a fantastic summer it's been in the UK. We had sun! Lots of it. I got a tan, and I haven't worn trousers in weeks. In the end though, my kids found numerous ways to entertain themselves... so I was actually very productive.
I sent out my WIP to three critiquers. And then nervously waited for their comments. I am not good at having people read my work - usually I pace, but it's hard to pace for three weeks straight. This story is a huge departure for me (I mentioned in the last IWSG post that I might need to release it under a pen name), and I was worried how people who've read my other work would respond. Luckily it's be positive so far.
To take my mind off the wait, I dusted off an old WIP (again I mentioned this last month - it's the very depressing one) and tried to figure out what the heck was wrong with it. I stared at it for a long time, then woke up one morning last week and - boom! - it was obvious. However, I now need to cut a lot of it, which is a lot of work. I'm currently slashing huge swathes of text and laughing rather maniacally.
And, finally, I had one more idea... (if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or if you've visited my website recently you'll know this already)...
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That Sadie Thing is going to be a paperback! And it includes three brand new stories.
Eek!
It was an almost spur of the moment decision - I only signed up to Createspace eleven days ago - but I'm already waiting for the proofs in the post. It helps that most of the editing was done for the ebook version, but there were some interesting formatting issues to get my head around. And then, I managed to wipe all the headers and footers while trying to change something else entirely.
I want to say a huge thank you to Rachel Morgan at Morgan Media for taking my 2D Kindle cover and making into an awesome book cover - it's exactly how I would have done it myself if had any kind of design skill.
I've added the book to Goodreads, with a release date of 1 October, but I'm hoping I'll be ready earlier than that. There won't be any tour, because I did all that when I released the Kindle version in February, but if you want to mention it to your non-Kindle-owning friends, I won't stop you xx
Glad you have so much inspiration for the new book. Looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. I wish I could be the type of writer who writes daily, regardless, but I need to be inspired, so I'm a much more stop/start writer.
DeleteWelcome back, Annalisa, and congrats on your paperback! Also...rest easy about your WIP in critique. I'm sure it's everything good and then some.
ReplyDeleteM.L. Swift, Writer
Thank you! It's great to be back :-)
DeleteI'm about half way through reading That Sadie Thing and enjoying it very much. Good luck with the paperback, and all the rest. ~Miriam
ReplyDeleteThanks Miriam, I'm glad you're enjoying it :-)
DeleteHey Annalisa! That's awesome news all the way around. Rachel does great work so I'm sure the print book will look awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd sometimes we find gold in those old manuscripts if we look hard enough.
Welcome back!
Thanks Alex, it's been a busy few weeks. I can't believe how productive I can be when I turn the internet off. I really need to work on being more focused! I'm too excited about seeing the book :-)
DeleteWelcome back. Hope it's a sunny fall too. Congrats on the paperback, WIP epiphanies, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne. The forecast is looking good for the next week or so, at least :-)
DeleteWelcome back Annalisa. It has indeed been a lovely summer this year, although I still can't quite believe it is September already! Sounds like you have been productive during the holidays and made some great decisions. Good luck with the print version of your book.
ReplyDeleteI've actually found this summer to be really long and wonderful, and as the kids don't go back to school until Friday, it's still continuing. I think the fact the warm weather started so early and lasted through the holidays really helped.
DeleteHi Annalisa,
ReplyDeleteYou do realise I've been sitting here for three weeks anxiously waiting for your posting to show up.
Indeed, been a most marvellous summer over here, for sure. Eek, here we go, acronym time. HELP! "WIP"? "IWSG"? Hang on, I know that second one! :) Your book in paperback. Excellent stuff and positive happenings all round.
TTFN, Annalisa.
Gary :)
I knew you'd be pining for my next post, Gary! I hope you've had a lovely summer too.
DeleteI'm not good at having people read my work either. I do the pacing thing too. It's so great that you worked out the problem with that WIP. That's always a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on the paperback version!
Sometimes it's the simplest alteration that revitalises a WIP, isn't it? I'm glad I'm not the only pacer - I always think I should have got past that stage by now :-)
DeleteI'm so excited! I can't wait to get a copy. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel :-) I'm very excited about this.
DeleteLoads of exciting stuff then! I took the summer off too - back to work and writing next week. It's good to spend time doing other things every now and then :-)
ReplyDeleteYes it is. I sometimes forget I don't have to switch the laptop on first thing EVERY morning. Thanks for all your help with the bonus stories on Sadie :-)
DeleteThat's wonderful that you will have a print version. You'll get to hold it then.
ReplyDeleteThat was my over-riding reason for deciding to print it. I want to hold it - the fact other people will be able to buy it too is secondary :-)
DeleteSuch excellent news about the paperback, congratulations! I'm glad you've had an enjoyable and productive summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather. Waiting for the proof copy is hard though, so close and yet so far away!!
DeleteWelcome back - so glad to hear the weather's been good for you:)
ReplyDeleteYou sound well refreshed and *on fire* for your writing, so GOOD LUCK with everything:)
Thanks Mark, it's great to be back. And you have no idea how brilliant it is to look out of the window in the morning and see sun AGAIN!
Delete"On fire" is a good term for how I'm feeling right now... Until later today when I have to do a back-to-school shop :-(
Once I started working, I found I couldn't stop. So many ideas all at once!
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting... oh and welcome back:) Love hearing great news like this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tania - it's great to be back, and I'm so excited about the book. I'm waiting at the front door for the postman, but he's not coming at the moment, not even with bills!
DeleteGlad you had such a good summer! Love all your energy! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck with the paperback! My first self published collection will be ebook only - I'm too nervous to try both at the same time.
I thought I'd be happy with Kindle only. But having the choice (instead of my novella which my publisher has control over) I decided I needed to hold it in my hands and have something physical to wave in front of people's faces :-)
DeleteGood luck with your book. Definitely don't be nervous, you've got to tell us all how brilliant it is!
Welcome back Annalisa! Sounds like you had a very productive break and a wonderful summer. Good to have you back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaybird. It was a brilliant few weeks! I'm hoping it will last into the autumn :-)
DeleteCongratulations! And I admire you for being brave enough to share your work with other people; I haven't really been able to do that for the most part, except when I submit stories to literary magazines. The first time I shared my work with anyone was in a creative writing class in college, and my classmates tore my stories apart. It was a long time before I got up enough courage to show my work to other people again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible critique experience, no wonder you're reluctant to share. If you need a pair of eyes, I'll happily volunteer, although my critique-ing skills are awful - I forget to be critical :-)
DeleteHi Annalisa .. so pleased you had a happy summer holidays time with the family and were able to achieve so much.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on working out how to do all the techie stuff and getting The Sadie Thing into print - good for you ...
Patience is a virtue - hold on .. all will be well .. good luck - you've got so much going for you ...
I'm off to the see the Coronation exhibition on Thursday - so I'll report back anon! Cheers Hilary
Have a great time at the exhibition :-)
DeleteSounds like you have a lot of exciting projects underway. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth - I just hope I can keep up with all my ideas :-)
DeleteCongrats Annalisa.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheena-Kay :-)
DeleteWaiting - agony, isn't it? Well done for filling your time with other things, as I am doing. Congratulations on your real, hold-in-the-hand book!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, can't wait. My distraction techniques aren't being as effective as they were :-/
DeleteWow it does sound like you were busy. Glad you figured out what to do with the depressing story.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with That Sadie Thing's release to paperback!
Thanks Misha. I was on the verge of leaving that story alone again, but now I'm quite excited.
DeleteCongratulations with getting your book out in paperback! I can't wait to buy my copy. I am glad that you could get some rest, as you truly deserved it after working so hard.
ReplyDeleteThanks Murees :-)
DeleteCongratulations! You have come a long way baby! Alex has helped so many of us bloggers. He is AMAZING! Pardon me while I stand to give him the ovation he so richly deserves :-)
ReplyDelete