I just got back from Houston. I'm probably going to get a 'real' job soon. Is this the End of my writing career? I hope not, but it isn't going to be easy writing on my free time. I will miss the solitude of the office overlooking the marina. Life goes on, but will my writing?
I've completed five books. I'll tinker with them, maybe put them out there...see what happens. Worst case, I'll have one helluva hobby to pursue when I retire. Been a heckuva ride. I want to thank each and every one of you for your support over the last several years. For me it's a new adventure. And that's what life should be. One adventure after another.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Nyaaah...What's Up Doc?
Been a long while since my last post, but I've been busy. Time to catch up. As far as I know 'Avery McShane' is doing well. It's kinda hard to tell. Bloomsbury keeps the sales numbers close to the vest, but I am pretty sure it's selling well. I recently received a check from them with the second half of my advance, so they must feel confident that the advance is covered. I'm waiting to hear from them about when and if they want to move forward with the sequels. I've already given them two manuscripts to chose from. Also hope they'll find a publisher in the U.S. to sell the rights to. I think the book would do well here.
On another front, I sent 'The Pirates of Xingu' manuscript to market. Lot's of interest, especially from a major publisher in New York. Here's what they said:
June 12, 2012
Dear Leigh,
Thank you for submitting your manuscript The Pirates of Xingu to us. What a fantastic read! It is the first book in months that has made me gasp. You craft the adventure scenes deftly and seamlessly weave in moments of humor and emotional poignancy. The atmosphere is vivid, the characters well-drawn, and the momentum quick without overwhelming the reader. I see in this immense potential for a tight, riveting adventure story with emotional impact, complexity, and broad appeal. Should you be willing to engage in some revision, I would like to present to you some questions and observations for you to consider as you move towards another draft.
Of course, that paragraph was followed by three pages of comments and suggestions. They made some really good points. I turned in a new draft a couple of weeks later, and they liked what they saw. They will be sending me their next batch of suggestions in the next day or two. I think they'll make a move on the book. I hope so.
In the intervening time, I've turned my attention to 'Paleopeople' (and epic fantasy - sort of Lord of the Rings meets Journey to the Center of the Earth) and 'The Thief of Shadows' (sort of Harry Potter meets voodoo, set beneath the City of New Orleans). I'll be looking to get those out to agents and publishers in the near future. Just a few more tweaks, and they're ready.
That's the update. Hope you're all having a great summer. Cheers!
On another front, I sent 'The Pirates of Xingu' manuscript to market. Lot's of interest, especially from a major publisher in New York. Here's what they said:
June 12, 2012
Dear Leigh,
Thank you for submitting your manuscript The Pirates of Xingu to us. What a fantastic read! It is the first book in months that has made me gasp. You craft the adventure scenes deftly and seamlessly weave in moments of humor and emotional poignancy. The atmosphere is vivid, the characters well-drawn, and the momentum quick without overwhelming the reader. I see in this immense potential for a tight, riveting adventure story with emotional impact, complexity, and broad appeal. Should you be willing to engage in some revision, I would like to present to you some questions and observations for you to consider as you move towards another draft.
Of course, that paragraph was followed by three pages of comments and suggestions. They made some really good points. I turned in a new draft a couple of weeks later, and they liked what they saw. They will be sending me their next batch of suggestions in the next day or two. I think they'll make a move on the book. I hope so.
In the intervening time, I've turned my attention to 'Paleopeople' (and epic fantasy - sort of Lord of the Rings meets Journey to the Center of the Earth) and 'The Thief of Shadows' (sort of Harry Potter meets voodoo, set beneath the City of New Orleans). I'll be looking to get those out to agents and publishers in the near future. Just a few more tweaks, and they're ready.
That's the update. Hope you're all having a great summer. Cheers!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Looking Back (First Keystroke to Publication)
With three days to go before Avery McShane is released by Bloomsbury Children's Books in the U.K., I decided to look back and assess how long it took to get to this point. Here are the cold, hard numbers:
- From first keystroke (ever) to release date: 1,114 days (or 3 years, 1 month, 18 days)
- From first keystroke (ever) to Book Deal: 595 days (or 1 year, 7 months, 18 days)
- From first keystroke (ever) to Signing Agent: 491 days (or 1 year, 4 months, 6 days)
- From first keystroke (of A/Mc) to Book Deal: 320 days (or 10 months, 16 days)
- From first Query Letter (for A/Mc) to Book Deal: 272 days (or 8 months, 29 days)
Obviously, not in any particular order, but you get the idea. For the record, it seemed much longer. These numbers will probably not mean jack to a non-writer, but they are the kinds of numbers any new, aspiring writer might find of interest. Good thing I never really gave it much thought. If I had, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have kept going - but I did. And now I have three more days to go. Drop in a bucket.
- From first keystroke (ever) to release date: 1,114 days (or 3 years, 1 month, 18 days)
- From first keystroke (ever) to Book Deal: 595 days (or 1 year, 7 months, 18 days)
- From first keystroke (ever) to Signing Agent: 491 days (or 1 year, 4 months, 6 days)
You see, Avery McShane was not the first manuscript I started. That honor fell to Paleopeople, which I have completed several times. Or at least I thought I had, until my agent sent me back to the keyboard again.
I started writing Avery McShane while I waited for my agent to read and review Paleopeople. Here are the numbers starting from the day I typed the first word of Avery McShane:
- From first keystroke (of A/Mc) to release date: 869 days (or 2 years, 4 months, 16 days)
- From first Query Letter (for A/Mc) to release date: 821 days (or 2 years, 3 months)
- From first keystroke (of A/Mc) to Book Deal: 320 days (or 10 months, 16 days)
- From first Query Letter (for A/Mc) to Book Deal: 272 days (or 8 months, 29 days)
Obviously, not in any particular order, but you get the idea. For the record, it seemed much longer. These numbers will probably not mean jack to a non-writer, but they are the kinds of numbers any new, aspiring writer might find of interest. Good thing I never really gave it much thought. If I had, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have kept going - but I did. And now I have three more days to go. Drop in a bucket.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Marketing the Book
'Avery McShane' will be released in the UK on March 1st. We all know that. What's on my mind now is when it will hit the bookshelves in the good ole USA. I asked my editor and she told me that Bloomsbury will be 'aggressively' marketing the foreign publishing and translation rights at the upcoming Bologna Children's Book Fair, which starts a couple weeks after the release of the book. The Fair is THE PLACE where this kind of thing gets done. I'm glad it's happening so soon after the release. I've copy pasted some info below.
This means that I may be receiving some good news in the next month or two. So, I'm once again crossing my fingers and hoping for good things to come. Cheers.
The "rights" place for children's content
This means that I may be receiving some good news in the next month or two. So, I'm once again crossing my fingers and hoping for good things to come. Cheers.
BOLOGNA CHILDREN'S BOOK FAIR
The "rights" place for children's content
19 March through 22 March 2012, 49th edition
Bologna Fair Centre > Piazza Costituzione Entrance
Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 am > 6.30 pm
Thursday: 9 am > 3 pm
The Fair is rigorously reserved to professional operators
Thursday: 9 am > 3 pm
The Fair is rigorously reserved to professional operators
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the most important international event dedicated to the children’s publishing and multimedia industry. In Bologna authors, illustrators, literary agents, licensors and licensees, packagers, distributors, printers, booksellers, and librarians meet to sell and buy copyright, find the very best of children’s publishingand multimedia production, generate and gather new contacts while strengthening professional relationships, discover new business opportunities, discuss and debate the latest sector trends.
The exhibitors
About 1200 exhibitors coming from 66 countries and 5000 international professional trade representatives in 2012. In its 49th edition, the Fair offers more than 20.000square meters (about 215.000 square feet) of exhibition space with a simple and easy-to-understand layout.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Going to Press
That's right. Bloomsbury will actually start churning out the physical books this week. Soon I will be able to feel one, smell one, show it off. I'll post the new cover soon.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Cha...cha...cha...Changes!
Bloomsbury has decided to make a few last minute changes to my debut novel. They will be changing the title from Avery McShane and the Silver Spurs to simply Avery McShane. I'm fine with it. The book is the first of a series, so it makes sense. The other change is that they are having their illustrators come up with a new cover. Their marketing team tested the waters and decided that the original cover art was 'too young'. I totally agree with them. I've already seen the drafts of the new cover and I really like where they're going with it. The sense of danger, mystery and adventure will come across better than before.
This all means that the release date has been pushed back a few months to March 1st. I think the changes will be worth the wait.
This all means that the release date has been pushed back a few months to March 1st. I think the changes will be worth the wait.
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