Today is my pub date and I believe that every writer should consider this passage (from BIRD BY BIRD) on pub dates.
“I remember one year my friend Carpenter and I had books out on the same day. We talked about it all summer. We each had modest expectations. I had modest expectations for his book; he had modest expectations for mine . . . Finally the big day arrived and I woke up happy, embarrassed in advance by all the praise and attention that would be forthcoming. I made coffee and practiced digging my toe in the dirt . . . Then I waited for the phone to ring. The phone did not know its part. It sat there silent as death with a head cold. By noon the noise of it not ringing began to wear badly on my nerves. Luckily, though, by noon it was time for the first beer of the day. I sat by the phone like a loyal dog, waiting for it to ring. Finally, finally it rang at four. I picked up the phone and heard Carpenter laughing hysterically, like some serial killer, and then I became hysterical, and eventually we both had to be sedated.”
(c) Anne Lamott
Truthfully, my own pub date this year is eventful, with some very nice things going on. (New Yorkers, please come to the Black Orchid at 6:30 tonight.) Still, it’s a good thing to re-read, every pub date.
And a good friend offered me a Xanax last night. I refused, ever stoic. But it was nice to be offered.
I sent that EXACT paragraph to Cornelia last year and couldn’t FIND the damn book when I wanted to send it to Sandra Ruttan this year because it is so my total favorite description of what it must feel like.
I’d LOVE roast chicken and cous cous; alas my available drugs are not of the sedating kind, but, I DO have some good ones. Very popular, as my doctor reminded me yesterday, they are of the “disappearing” kind and I need to remember not to leave them out if I have strangers in the house. Eu.
I’d make ‘em available for good dessert; I’m such a dessert slut.
WHINE BOMB: (I think that’s a Lamott-ism too)
And here’s where I whine that YET AGAIN, I can never seem to get on your reviewer list. I’ve asked EVERY TIME for what – the last 8 years? to get a review copy of your book. I send “tear sheets” and then the next time around, I don’t get a damn ARC nor do I get the book and I have to ask again. What, my dearest, is with your publisher? Don’t you think by now, someone who’s reviewed probably every book of yours since SUGAR HOUSE should get review copies?
If I’ve marked my calendar correctly, Laura, you are to be on the Early Show on Wed. morning. Do you know what segment, time wise?
Andi,
Um, mistakes were made? I know that Crimespree didn’t get an ARC until Jon asked me to check into it.
(Also, bear in mind that Sharyn is my fifth publicist at Morrow. This is only our third book together, and she’s pretty amazing.)
June, I think I’m on between 8 and 9. Lord, I hope so. The time change has been hard enough on me, but at least it hasn’t involved brushing my hair before what my body ardently believes is 7 a.m.
Happy Pub Day, Laura! And while I wish I could be at Black Orchid tonight,I did the next best thing and reserved my copy there for you to inscribe. (So looking fwd to reading the new one..
All the best… and big congrats.
wull um ok, I don’t have her email so…sigh, if you could send it to me, I can try emailing her though i bet she’s out of copies. Given that I spent hte last mumble mumble months on LCC I wasn’t tracking pub dates/release dates I admit but gee it would be nice to get on the “send Laura’s books” list since I am one of the Good Guys. Sigh. grumble. huff.
God bless the publicists – fifth huh?
If you go to http://blogher.org/node/16262 , they were giving out review copies. I got mine the next day. It was glorious.
Happy pub date — keep digging your toe in the dirt and smile at the forthcoming praise.
How do I get in touch with your friend who has the Xanax? I’m a month into the book tour and the pub date is but a blur.
Best of luck with your new one and hope to meet you at the Virginia Festival of the Book later this month…
Bob,
I’ll tell you this much: She will exchange drugs for nothing more than a home-cooked dinner of roast chicken and cous-cous.
Okay, for some reason that reminds me of a favorite story, meeting Anthony Bourdain before he really blew up big time (although Kitchen Confidential was already out.) We met at Dead on Deansgate (Bourdain published a couple of thrillers before KC) and he apologized for his treatment of Baltimore in his memoir.
“You have to understand,” he said. “This is when I was most addicted to heroin and I couldn’t cop, so I was miserable and angry all the time.”
My companion said: “You couldn’t find heroin in Baltimore? With all due respect, you are the most incompetent heroin addict that ever lived.”
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!
Also: Klonopin?
Good luck, Laura. I will look for your book in Las Vegas(work at the University).
I like your companion’s remark. I drive through Baltimore about every 10 days now- on Orleans – I think I could find heroin if I was willing to unlock my doors and I (honestly) have never bought drugs in my life.
I just finished WTDK, and I loved it. (I also have much love for your publishing company for sending out free books.)
I did not see the ending coming although I totally should have. The clues were all there. I was just dumb.
Except…now what am I going to read when the NCAA tournament has us going on late?
Love that story about Anthony, Laura.
Good luck tonight!
I wish I could be there. Break a leg!
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Laura, your phone is ringing off the hook. Congrats!!!
Yea! I can’t wait until you are here next week. I’m holding off buying the book until then. BTW, I have Xanax if the stoicism gets old.
Kelly, I did ask for one there yep some days back (whenever Laura mentioned it). The next day? Now that’s soivice!
I’ll be at Black Orchid. Thanks for the heads up. It was on my calendar, but March is moving along so much faster than I expected. I thought it was still a week away. Would have hated to miss it.
I’m there in spirit (spirits?), amiga. Congratulations!
Congratulations Laura I certainly am looking forward to your latest book. I think it is so very wonderful that you get this excited about a new book. Some of that excitement must be around going out and being with the people who will be your readers and to see their faces as the book is talked about. I wish you the very best in sales as well as accolades. Have fun at the Black Orchid I just wish it wasn’t so far away so I could get a signed copy.
Sly in Anchorage
My copy arrived in the mail today. I just finished a book so that was timely. I’m so excited to have this book, thanks to HarperCollins for shipping it directly to me.
Sorry I’m late to the party. Your book is doing great…are you coming down anywhere near Boca this Spring or summer? Sleuthfest mayhap? or just sneak down and drag your SO here when you get a chance..