Good news! Book deals DO happen!

My copyeditor had no problem with sentence fragments, happily! They created a style sheet based on my own style in addition to the publisher’s style sheet, so whenever the latter didn’t dictate something, they could make sure my style was still consistent. I really appreciated that, because it gave me latitude to have my own voice/style without giving a pass to errors and inconsistencies.

Elsewhere on AW I read about someone who signed with a small press and discovered his book had been edited to remove all the em-dashes because the style sheet forbade them. It sounds silly, but this scares me so much I think I’d ask to see the style sheet before signing a contract with a small press now. If you want to dispute my use of a particular em-dash, fine. But strange global rules like that don’t fly with me.

No em-dashes?! I can’t imagine.

Jeneral, when is your publication date? Pretty exciting to think tomorrow will be within the year for you. I don’t know mine yet other than either winter or spring 2020. It’s strange to think my second book will be due before the first one publishes. But I also think that’s good because it keeps me busy and out of my own head.

As for today, I’m taking the day off to read books that aren’t mine.

When did everyone out there get their official publication date? I have a general idea.... either winter or spring 2020. But at what point is that narrowed down? (In U.S.)

My agent told me that pub dates can be kind of fluid for a while as they get things nailed down. You'll have the "season" (Fall 2019, etc) but not necessarily a firm date. I asked and was told "probably September", and when the pre-order info went up everywhere it has a pub date of September 3. That happened in early December. Publicity stuff doesn't kick into high gear until at least 6 months out, so since it's still early I'm going to double check in a month or two to make sure that's the real date before I start planning the launch party, etc.

I was given my publication dates in the offer (Hardcovers February 2020, 2021, 2022 respectively. I assume paperbacks a couple of months after that, or concurrently with the hardbacks, I don't know)

Technically this is only Commonwealth. Though my agent tried to get me a US/NA deal, it was a no-go. People just aren't ready for that hot cryptozoological romance in the home of the brave after all.

I might have a chance of ever publishing in America if my publisher sells the rights at a book fair in the future, but that would mean all my US sales would be undercut by about 20%. (There was an initial offer of getting published in some dumping ground of an imprint owned by the same publisher, but that fell by the wayside because even trashfires have standards, obviously)

It is nice to hear, from the horses mouth, that book deals exist. I will bask in the borrowed glory for a few minutes and then get back to work. But thank you and congratulations!

- Mark Charke

Atlantic12 said:

LOL. I guess we're just not as brave as we thought, darn it.

As for the publisher selling in the US down the road, just make sure it's such a sweet deal that you won't mind that -20% quite so much. :

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Ahahaha, yes! I wonder if publishers change their minds at a later date or if it really is no-means-no, even at that level? We went out pretty wide. I think the only US publishers we haven’t sent to/recieved a rejection from might be some little indie press or maybe (lol) Amazon.

Another thing to consider... rights are sold at all stages. So maybe they will change their minds if (WHEN) your initial sales show promise.

FWIW, I do know a couple people who are published through Amazon and seem relatively happy ... ?

Atlantic12 said:

Structural edits done!! Sending tomorrow, a day before deadline.
Woohoo!!

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That’s fantastic!!! I’m still awaiting word on whether we’re doing another round or....? Which is fine, because I really need to do more on my WIP. Did you see Janet Reid’s blog post about sophomore books over the weekend? The pain is real.

Atlantic12 said:

Thank you! I hope I get a couple weeks break so I can get on with my life before the (hopefully) line edit. I have a non-book to do list a mile long. And inspired by the FB 2020 Debuts group, I need to dust off my Twitter and co.

I haven't seen that book 2 post yet. Is it new? I've been feeling anxious about my book 2 since I need a good proposal at some point for the publisher to look at. And I have so much research to do, I'm intimidated by it. Why don't I write stuff I can just make up?? Me= :dummy:

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http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-dreaded-sophmore-novel.html?m=1

I asked for a reduction in hours at work from 40 to 32. Crossing my fingers it will be approved because I know what you mean... there’s just so much to do.

Treehouseman said:

I was given my publication dates in the offer (Hardcovers February 2020, 2021, 2022 respectively. I assume paperbacks a couple of months after that, or concurrently with the hardbacks, I don't know)

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I'm not sure if the UK is different, but in my experience, the paperback usually comes out a few months before the next hardcover. (And that's when the e-book price gets lowered.) However! It depends on the publisher.

Omg I'm so happy for you! It's always wonderful to hear when things like this happen. Book deals do happen! Your success is so amazing, I bet it feels great, and you deserve to feel great! You did it. This is your moment!

That's wonderful! Congratulations! I'm so glad I came across this, this is just the motivation I needed. It was also very informative. Editing is sucking the joy out of my story. Hopefully it'll be worth it! Again, Congratulations

This was such a lovely read, thank you for posting.

I really enjoy reading detailed stories like this, it somehow gives me hope that we'll all get there one day

Congratulations on all your happy news!