Tuesday, 10 September 2013

I wrote an actual, bookshop-ready book. Really.

And for those who thought I was making it up (perfectly possible, I am a fiction writer!) here is an actual book, on the desk at Random House. Really. Wow.
Aren't they pretty? I just hope the words came out OK!

One month exactly to go, plans to publicise said beauties, and book three coming on nicely. Excellent news all round. I can't wait to actually hold one.

It's all happening. My agent moved agency to United Agents, and I'm going along with her so I don't lose all of her help and expertise. The book is coming out, kids off to university, life racing along at a dangerous speed - who knows where it will all end up?

Statistics show that about one in ten published debut novelists have the golden ticket, they actually make some money for the publisher or at least don't cost them loads of money. I've got everything crossed, because with all the work the great people at Del Rey UK have done to make the book look its shiny best, I want it to do well, not least because they might want to publish a few more. Now let's see what Jack and Sadie and Edward Kelley do when they are out in the world. 
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13 comments:

  1. Unknown11 September 2013 at 10:20:00 GMT

    Whoop! Whoop!

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  2. Unknown11 September 2013 at 10:22:00 GMT

    Whoop! Whoop!

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  3. Karen12 September 2013 at 15:29:00 GMT

    Looks fantastic! Can't wait to read it, I'm sure your words are as amazing as the cover :o)

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  4. Heather Musk14 September 2013 at 15:19:00 GMT

    The book looks great! Congratulations on the release.

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    1. Rebecca Alexander16 September 2013 at 16:10:00 GMT

      Thank you, Heather. I'm thrilled now I actually have a copy myself!

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  5. Anonymous15 September 2013 at 19:36:00 GMT

    Hi Reb, Am about to enter Mslexia comp. They say the novel must be finished. Mine is finished, though not. It's only second draft apart from the bit I'd like to enter. That section is 42nd draft, I think - haha! Should I just go for it anyway and work like the clappers? How do they do things there? Boz.

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    1. Rebecca Alexander15 September 2013 at 19:58:00 GMT

      Hi Boz, the first submission needs to be polished and perfect - 42nd is about right! The full novel they need finished in terms of words/plot but they don't expect it to be final draft. They can't do, a lot of mine was first draft at the end, knocked out one night before I put it in the post in the morning! I also cheated horribly at the end by getting the historical character say 'her would write down the story of how they escaped the castle...'. Yeah, right, when I had time to think of it! You have some weeks before the first submissions are whittled down to the longlist. Go for it. I wasn't even finished when I entered. But it gave me a great deadline to work to. Good luck!

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  6. Downith15 September 2013 at 20:23:00 GMT

    It's gorgeous!

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    1. Rebecca Alexander16 September 2013 at 16:11:00 GMT

      Thank you Downith! I only have one copy, so I'm carrying it around with me, rather like the kids did when they had new toys or new wellies. Sleeping next to it etc. I can't wait for it to be out, now.

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  7. Anonymous15 September 2013 at 20:42:00 GMT

    Thanks, Reb. That was kind of my thinking, so that's good. Those deadlines work a treat. Amazing how you can focus if you really, really have to! I'll put a 'second draft done' notice in my head for the end of October then. Really looking forward to reading The Secrets of Life and Death. Boz

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  8. Unknown29 September 2013 at 07:03:00 GMT

    A very exciting time for you and your family...I am sure the book will do well
    it looks great!
    Sue

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