So it is down to the wire. Emails end in 'ASAP' and there is discussion of being in the 'chrome' phase. I think this is when the cover and back cover are set and cannot be undone? A last minute wonderful quote from Sharon Kay Penman arrived and my editor 'yanked' the book off the press to include it.
So far this has been a magical process for me. Magical in that is is surreal, happy and seemingly turning the impossible into the possible. I feel like my book has gone like a handkerchief into a top hat and is returning to me a fluffy white rabbit. Also magical in that I have no idea how it works. I have a sense of an enormous hive of talented, experienced people working at a ferocious pace. This book is being released on February 1, 2011 and there is so much work involved between then and now that everyone is racing--today--on a Wednesday in July.
It is strange that words I wrote utterly alone at a white desk covered in birthday cards, photos, books, postcards and my Nell portrait, are going out to meet this enormous fray. Definitely magic. It is also strange that there is a stop date. There is a point when tinkering must stop, hats are chosen, words are fixed, and chapters have chosen their dresses for the ball. The subtly shifting elements are no longer mine to move around, recast and repaint. A scarlet slipper shunted beneath a gilt chair is just going to have to stay there. It will never grow up to be a grey laced boot left out in a garden.
Somehow I never saw that day coming. But that day seems to be today. The book is really truly done.
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I am enjoying these posts so much. You're seven months ahead of me, and I'm hanging on every word.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it's been such a magical experience!
Priya, Congratulations! I really share in your excitement--incidentally, I have learned so much about the publishing process from your blog!
ReplyDeleteI'd absolutely love to do something on my blog featuring your book when it gets closer to pub. date. If you would like to talk about it, shoot me an e-mail at lisaalmedasumner@gmail.com...all the best!
caroline, when is your pub date? i can't wait!
ReplyDeletelisa, thank you! i will forward this to Marcia Burch, who is head of publicity for touchstone. I am getting a publicist mid august but am to send her everything until then. i will send you an email right away! i would love nell to show up on your blog!
This is all so exciting, Priya! I'm really enjoying following your journey towards publication. :)
ReplyDeleteWow - a quotation from Sharon Kay Penman is quite an endorsement. Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteleanna, that makes me so happy!
ReplyDeletedaphne, her quote was lovely! it knocked me over!
I'm following your every move with excitement of mine own. I'm posting about a historical novelist who's doing a major push on her book's release. I'd like to do one with you as well. That would make you the second historical I highlight. Tell me you'll say "yes". I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI've been sitting around wondering why exactly we all have to wait until February to read your book, but this post kind of answered my question. I had no idea there were still months of work left to do after you'd finished writing!!
ReplyDeletejune g, yes! that would be wonderful!
ReplyDeletekathy, i know! i did not really realize that either!
I am so completely excited for you! What an interesting process - I'm so glad you're sharing it all with us!
ReplyDeletethank you kate! it makes it so much better to share it all with you!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat must be such an amazing and strange feeling, Priya. Gulp! But I love that it's been such a spell of positive and not dark magic for you, because sometimes I think published authors forget to remember (!) the joy of this first time - I've lost count of the number of times I've read or been told that it was all a big downer and that aspirants shouldn't think that publication will be a happy experience at all, and blah blah blah, and it's all so horribly bah humbug that I just want to close my ears and shout at them to shut up.
ReplyDeleteBut here it is, and here you are, day by day providing proof of this wonderful transformation, and watching it happen is like getting a second shot at believing six impossible things.
love impossibility before breakfast.
ReplyDeleteit has been such a happy happy brand of magic. never think that it won't be fun! it will be!!!!!!!!!