Had a great chat with my editor at Gallery today, and the marketing wheels are in motion!
First, Kathy asked me to come up with some key selling points for the book. I’ve been ruminating on it all evening, and while I’ve practically memorized my novel (thanks to seventeen billion revisions), it’s totally different to think about the story from a marketing perspective. I’m probably going to need some help with this.
Second, I need to submit a photo. I’m the Queen of Self-Portraits, but I don’t know that I have anything that would be suitable for a potential book jacket, or for my coming Author page at Simon & Schuster. And Steve (no offense, honey) is really not very good at taking pictures. Gee, should I be making an appointment at a Sears Portrait Studio this weekend?
But I did accomplish one thing. Since I’m a member of International Thriller Writers Inc., I filled out their web form to let them know that my debut novel is coming out in July. YAY! A contributing editor is supposed to contact me for an interview, which will hopefully be featured on the website sometime before the book comes out.
And speaking of interviews, my editor also asked when I was planning to visit New York. They want to record an author interview (video), to upload on the S&S page and also here on my blog. Me, on video? I’m planning on going to ThrillerFest in early July (who wants to meet me in NYC?), which might coincide nicely, since the book comes out the same month.
I also forgot to mention this: a few weeks ago Kathy had asked me to put together a wish list of authors who I’d love to blurb my book. Of course I named a bunch of great writers. Okay, so some of them are super crazy long-shots (and I’ll give you one guess as to who the WHALE is that tops my list), but one or two just might be tiny possibilities. One of the writers on my wish list is with Gallery, and I found out today that Kathy shares an assistant with his editor. I won’t say who the author is because I don’t want to jinx it (and it’s still really hard for me to imagine one of my favorite authors reading MY book), but I have to say, it was pretty damned cool just to have the conversation. I might be a minnow in this pond… but I’m IN THE POND!
It’s all so exciting. And scary.
Yay yay! Welcome back! This is awesome news, keep us updated – it's so exciting to see other authors on the rollercoasting of editing and marketing, I feel so in-the-loop! 😀
I really enjoy peeking over your shoulder and observing as things develop for you. Quite interesting!
Thrillerfest is like mecca for me! I hope to attend in 2011, but things are still iffy right now.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Very, very exciting!
Considering the publishing industry usually moves at a glacial pace, you seem to be rolling right along.
Welcome back, Jenny! What Jen said – you are moving right along. How exciting. Good luck with all the decisions and I, for one, can't wait to see your author video (in a non-stalkerish way). 🙂
Looooovely! Sounds like a lot of fun
Caitlin: I'm glad you find this stuff interesting! I'm never sure what people are interested in reading about, and worry that the business end of this process is boring to other people.
DL: ThrillerFest is FUN! Hope you can make it.
Jen: Things seem to happen in spurts. Long periods of quiet peppered with jolts of frenzy.
Joann: Stalk me, please.
Angela: It is fun, I can't lie. But surreal, too.
Ok all your dreams are coming true so far so why not think you could get the "whale" on your wish list to do a blurb on your book. I love reading your blog and am so excited for you! Teri