Just thought I would write a few lines on the blog to explain why I am so thrilled that my UK publisher is to be Bookouture.
It still feels surreal to me that within the space of a few short weeks my debut novel has sold in four languages! What is particularly thrilling in this ever-changing landscape of publishing is that I feel I have the very best of all worlds. Lucky me! Recipes for Melissa has been bought by traditional publishers abroad and will be in book shops in Germany, Brazil and Israel down the line. Here in the UK I am thrilled to now confirm that I am to be published next Spring by a very modern, dynamic company with a terrific new publishing model and a superb track record. It means my book will be available both as an ebook and a paperback swiftly ( music to my ears!). But that does NOT mean any shortcuts on quality and editing. The deciding factor when I signed with Bookouture was a lovely conversation with Claire Bord who is to be my editor. I felt that she completely understood where I am going with this novel...and my writing. It was the reassurance I needed that in editing with her, I will be in the best possible hands. Below is the press release from Bookouture which explains a little more about Recipes for Melissa. It is not my story, of course. This is fiction. But it does come from a theme very close to my heart and so I feel very proud that this story will soon be "out there". PS Forgive me for mentioning that I now have a new Facebook Author page HERE. Do please pop by to "like"the page as it is feeling a tad lonely in these early days! An email has just pinged into my inbox from my new UK Publisher. Hang on a minute. We need to rewind just a few weeks. You need to picture me sitting at this same desk, thinking exactly what many of you will be thinking right now. When will it be me? Will it ever be me? Will I ever get to say those words….My UK Publisher… Which is the point of this blog. To try to turn my book deal news into a little boost for you, rather than a reason for you to beat yourself up or feel downhearted because it is not quite your time yet. Because believe me – I’ve been there. Every single time I heard of someone else’s book deal success in the past – especially after a long slog – I felt immediately delighted for them. Truly. And then in the next breath? I found myself sighing. Losing faith in myself.Will it ever be me? Not so much envy (horrible emotion) but more a tricky contrast which can be difficult to negotiate, especially as the next rejection rolls in… So I’ve decided- before I announce my UK publisher (get me) – to make this blog a little “top tips” resume for those of you still on the journey. I am always encouraging other writers to “keep going” and my own story ( an “apprenticeship” in fiction which lasted ten years!) is evidence that this really does pay. Let's not kid ourselves that I have all the answers! I'm still learning. It's all subjective ( and I change my mind about things pretty much every day. A writer's prerogative, methinks).. But here are some of the things I’ve learned:
Good luck! PS I will share more news soon on my UK book deal. All very new to me. All very, very exciting. |
AuthorTeresa Driscoll - journalist, author, mother of two and lover of great coffee. CATEGORIEsArchives
February 2024
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