Last weekend I spoke at a writing conference. The last event was a panel with all of the speakers and attendees could ask questions. Some asked me: “As a new writer (the other two authors on the panel were swanky NY Times Bestseller types) what about the publishing experience is different from what you expected?”
I answered: “I thought it would be a bigger deal.” Everyone laughed. I wasn’t trying to be funny, I hate when that happens.
I’ve dreamed about being a writer since I was small. When I stared to pursue publication I dreamed about getting “the call” and what life would be like as a “real” published writer. It has been such a central part of how I defined myself, such a major dream, that I expected when I reached it- it would somehow be a bigger deal.
When I enter bookstores trumpets do not herald my arrival. I’m still getting up and heading off to the day job. People do not stop me in public to ask me to sign their books. Publishers do not beg me to go on tours with expense accounts and access to the hotel mini bar. I don’t call up Meg Cabot, or Jodi Picolet and tease them about how we swapped places on the NY Times best seller list last week. (Heck I don’t call them at all.) Some days between juggling work, the laundry, and the need to pick up toilet paper at the store, I forget that I’m a published writer at all.
Then there is the fact that Oprah still hasn’t called. I’m starting to notice the snub.
What I’ve discovered is that being published is hard work. There are book signings where almost no one shows up and you still have to smile. You hustle for any media attention you can get. You market the heck out of your book to anyone who will listen, while trying not to sound like a huckster. You shake your fist at the heavens when there is a bad review. You worry about being a “one hit wonder” and about finding time to write your next book. You watch your Amazon numbers go up and down and fret. You wonder if other writers are having more fun than you. None of these things were a part of my dream of being published.
Would I give it up? Heck no. I can’t imagine anything else I would rather do and I’m so glad to be invited to the party at all that I’m grateful every day for the chance. Although many of the things I imagined haven’t come to pass (at least yet- feel free to call me any time Meg), some things I never dreamed have happened. I joined the Debs because it seemed like a good promotion opportunity. I didn’t expect to make friends. Having these women at my side every step of the way has been one of the best things about the publication road thus far. I can’t imagine a better group of women to take with you on a road trip. After all it isn’t all about the destination: some of the fun is getting there.
What was/is your crazy publication dream?
Got Pearls?
Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be a Deb? Do you have a debut book coming out in 2009? Stay tuned to The Debs for more info to come!
Eileen
May 9th, 2008
| Posted by Eileen | Authors, Authors on Tour, Book Reviews, Book Tour, Jodi Picoult, Meg Cabot, Oprah, advertising, book, book sales
| 11 Comments
Okay, I don’t actually have dirt, but I like alliteration, needed a title and figured it might catch your attention. And I do have some behind the scenes tidbits to share that are interesting, if not particularly dirty.
We started as strangers back in July and had to divvy up jobs, learn how to use the site, post our blogs etc. About 200 emails later, with a huge amount of help and advice from Kristy and the other Founding Debs, we went “live” in the second week of August.
I was totally freaked. I feared the site would implode when I hit the word “publish.” I remember getting instructions from Kristy about how to do a link and I was so overwhelmed I thought, Well, I just won’t ever link anything. What do I need to link for?! I will be link-free. And I couldn’t imagine how I’d write something each week for an entire year. It took me about 25 hours to write and edit my first post (I know this because I have 20 hours of daycare weekly for my toddler and I used all of it, plus) and I spent the entire first day glued to the site waiting for comments, responding to them, rereading my post, rereading the comments, etc. This went on for weeks. I was an obsessive lunatic who would clearly never turn in my edits for Falling Under, much less write another book.
Well, we all got the hang of it and you’ve probably noticed we’re having a great time getting to know each other and many of you. But behind the scenes…
There have been 5353 emails between us on our closed Yahoo loop and hundreds more individual and group emails between us plus fan mail, letters from authors, pitches from publicists, applications to various conferences and festivals and a surprising number of people asking if we’ll help them plan a real debutante ball for them in their hometown, at their high school, etc.
We have brainstormed about publicity, title changes and cover art. (We are part of the reason the toenails got painted on the cover of Driving Sideways, for example.) We’ve shared stories about signings, talked about interviews, pitching, getting blurbs (thank you ladies for telling me to get them early and get them myself—my editor was very pleased and so were my publicists) and helped each other through the inevitable emergencies and freak-outs we all have as our release dates loom.
And somewhere along the line these wonderful women, who I’ve never met in person, became my friends–good friends!–and that has made this experience incredibly rich.
A couple of favorite memories:
The day Lisa found out Fifteen Minutes of Shame was going to be optioned (before she could announce it because the details were still being worked out) she emailed the news and we all sent whoops and cheers (via email) and proceeded to celebrate with our food or beverage of choice. (For me I believe it was Port.) The emails flew back and forth that night as we got the details from Lisa and then I believe we went on a wild and funny tangent about hidden talents which inspired Jess & Eileen to give that as our topic a few weeks later.
On Super Tuesday I emailed to let my fellow debs know that, like every good Canadian, I was watching American Politics on CNN. One email turned into 70 as we sat with our laptops in front of our televisions and watched. Jenny had stories from her days working for a Senator, Gail had thoughts about the Democratic candidates and we discussed everything from Obama vs Hillary to Mormon underwear. Another night of thought-provoking conversation mixed with snort-worthy hilarity.
On the site and off, my fellow debs have encouraged me and egged me on, drawn out hidden parts of my personality, challenged me and gained my respect and admiration. And as each book has come out I’ve felt, just a little bit, like it was my book too. And so this year, I get six debuts instead of one, and five new talented, smart, funny, generous friends.
Cheers to you, ladies.
And to all of you, of course
Deb Danielle
(Hey, did you notice the all the links I put in?! And BTW, I’m still quite obsessive on Thursdays.)
May 8th, 2008
| Posted by Danielle | 2008 Debutante Ball, American Politics, Book covers, Books, CNN, Danielle Younge-Ullman, Deb Danielle, Debut Novel, Debutante Ball, Democrats, Eileen Cook, Falling Under, Fifteen Minutes of Shame, Founder Kristy, Gail Konop-Baker, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jenny Gardiner, Jess Riley, Keeping Faith, Lisa Daily, Mormon underwear, Obama, Sleeping With Ward Cleaver, Super Tuesday, Unpredictable, blurbs, drinking, girlfriends, movie deal
| 15 Comments
Please help us welcome Brenda Novak to The Ball. In addition to a very successful career as a novelist, Brenda has made a name for herself by planning and organizing an on-line auction to benefit diabetes research. This is her fourth year and she’s shooting to raise over $150,000! Brenda’s auction brings in a range of amazing items and goes for a great cause. Be sure to check out her books- and her auction here.
What inspired you to do the auction?
When my son was diagnosed with diabetes six years ago, I expected the constant care he would require, but I was shocked to learn of the terrible side effects. Hearing that this disease is the fifth deadliest killer and that it destroys the heart, the kidneys, the eyes, the nerves, etc. was devastating to me. I didn’t want to see that happen to my son–or anyone else’s child. I decided I wasn’t going to simply accept it; I was going to fight back. But I didn’t know. It took me almost two years to figure out how I could make the biggest impact. I was at a silent auction for our elementary school when I realized that I could utilize the traffic I’d already established at my Web site to do essentially the same thing. That was when Brenda Novak’s On-line Auction for Diabetes Research was born. 
How long have you been doing it?
This is my fourth year. In year one, I wasn’t sure how well it would work. I did my best to gather items and encourage shoppers, and raise nearly $35,000. That was enough to tell me I was on to something, so I continued my efforts into the next year. In Year 2, we raised nearly $63,000–almost double. At this point, I began to see the potential. In Year 3, we more than doubled, coming in at $153,700. This year, I’m hoping to break $300,000.
How have you gotten so many famous authors to participate?
Writers must be the most generous individuals alive. I’ve been so touched by the response I’ve received. Most the authors I’ve approached have been more than willing to lend a hand. This is really a coming together of so many people. I could never do it alone.
What are the wildest auction items you’ve received?
This year I’d have to say the wildest item is the drum head and drum sticks signed by a whole slew of today’s most famous musicians–Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Shakira, Madonna, George Strait, Fergie, Tim McGraw, Stevie Nicks, Alan Jackson, Alicia Keys, Dianna Ross, Smokey Robinson, Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, Brian Wilson, Carlos
Santana, Ringo Starr, Justin Timberlake, Faith Hill, Celine Dionn, Andy Williams, Bono, Paul McCartnery, BB King, Billy Joel, Glenn Fry, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Burt Bacharact, Keith Urban, Sting, Prince, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Joe Walsh, and Don Henley. Another very cool item is the Pirates of the Caribbean Autographed 8×10 photo autographed by Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly, and Geoffrey Rush.
What are some of the more interesting items this year?
I think the most interesting items are the opportunities. We have the opportunity to meet and have lunch with some of your favorite authors, one-on-one–authors like Jayne Ann Krentz, Catherine Coulter, Ridley Pearson, Debbie Macomber, MaryJanice Davidson, Christine Feehan, Diana Gabaldon and JR Ward. Also, for those who are aspiring to break into publishing, many of the most powerful agents and editors in the business have donated evaluations, some with the promise of a 24-hour response (otherwise unheard of in the publishing industry). There’re also mentoring packages from NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Authors, media training, publicity packages and lunches with publishing professionals.
How long does it run, and how can we participate?
The auction runs May 1 - May 31st at www.brendanovak.com, but there are items in the ONE DAY Auction category that go up for auction and end the same day so it’s best to visit that category periodically to make sure you’re not missing anything. Also, I’m offering a fabulous prize package to the person who places the most bids, even if that person doesn’t win a single item. It’s going to be a fun year–we’re off to a great start. You can get involved by visiting brendanovak.com and registering to shop. From there, you bid just like you would on E-Bay. When the auction is over, you’ll receive a bill for your items, which you can pay via credit card, Paypal, personal check or money order. It’s that simple!
Also, I wanted to mention that Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs and Allison Brennan have joined me in offering a fabulous giveaway to promote the auction. It’s a trip to Bainbridge Island and Port Orchard, WA, including airfare, accommodations, tea with Debbie, massages, and more. You can enter at www.brendanovak.com. The winner will be drawn May 31st.
Thank you so much for having me!
Brenda
May 7th, 2008
| Posted by Eileen | Writing
| 16 Comments
The idea of Mother’s Day is great in theory, though I’ve discovered in reality it’s not one that is so readily implemented. it seems that the boundaries of a give-mom-a-day-of-rest holiday for mothers aren’t exactly highly regarded in the fast-paced play-all-day-and-all-night world of kids athletics. Most Mother’s Days for me have meant traveling to yet another city for yet another soccer game—not exactly the type of R&R day I’d schedule if I was planning one. Aside from that, my youngest has a birthday that often coincides with Mother’s Day, so prior to the soccer commitments on that holiday, we usually had birthday-related festivities—whether her actual birthday fell on Mother’s Day or her slumber party, which meant ten to fifteen exuberant little girls waking pre-dawn on Sunday morning for a hearty pancake breakfast.
So I guess to me Mother’s Day isn’t really much of a big deal—which is fine, really, especially since it feels a bit like a construct of Hallmark Corporation, kind of like Valentine’s Day. All souped up to force needless greeting card acquisition.
By the time I get around to having the chance to celebrate it in the manner in which it was intended, my kids will be grown and gone and then I’ll be sad I don’t have any kids home for Mother’s Day anyhow. Instead I’ll simply mourn the loss of those things that kept me from having a chill-out day in May. Plus by then I won’t need a chill-out day in May!
But with Mother’s Day upon us, I’ve been pondering moms a lot and thinking about the importance of moms not to our children, but to each other. My novel, Sleeping with Ward Cleaver 
very much appeals to moms, as they can relate to my protagonist Claire Doolittle, who is at a phase in life in which she is entirely overwhelmed with the demands of motherhood, trying to do her best but feeling as if she is failing everyone miserably. Most moms can relate to this. When my children were very young I, like so many other mothers, found solace with other women who were raising little ones. Not many moms can honestly say they haven’t reached the breaking point a few times along the way. But I suspect that those mothers who do so have been able to lean heavily on their friends who are in the same boat.
I recently happened upon the wonderful internet world of mom blogs sort or circuitously because of my book. An author friend of mine who hosts the very popular and often hilarious Manic Mommy blog suggested I check out a blog titled June Cleaver Nirvana, what with the Ward Cleaver connection and all. When I visited the blog, I was delighted to discover this community of really funny, interesting women who share their ups and downs on a daily basis via their linked blogs. From my friend Holly at June Cleaver, I then discovered other really interesting folks, like Kalynne Pudner, who besides having nine (count ‘em—NINE!) children holds a PhD and is a professor of Philosophy at a major university. I’m still trying to figure out how she finds the hours in the day to do all of that. I also discovered a blogging dad who’s a delightful writer. Or how about these Good Moms/Bad Moms?
Way back when, when people weren’t so transient and neighbors stayed put and most moms didn’t have jobs outside the home, these social/coping networks remained close to home. The moms assembled in someone’s kitchen for coffee or tea, the kids played out back or in the living room learning how to parallel play nicely with one another, and as long as there wasn’t free-flowing blood, everyone was happy and the moms got a chance to decompress alongside their “fellow travelers,” as it were.
But with the many societal changes over the past couple of generations, while friends and family are often strewn more far afield, we now have the means of communications at our fingertips to remain more instantly in contact. Thus while the kids (well, siblings, anyhow) might well still be in the backyard or the living room (until the blood-letting happens), the moms are in e-contact, touching base about their lives and sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with one another via the blogosphere. It’s really the “coffee klatsch” of the New Millenium. The crazy component of it is that these gatherings become open invitations to others—complete strangers like me!—and a way to make friends you’d never otherwise know. And what a great way to connect people from all over the country, really all over the world.
I can’t wrap up a discussion about moms without talking about some moms who so amazingly define the word motherhood I don’t think there are words to describe them adequately, and women who I know would be about the best moms out there, if given the chance. I’ve had the great pleasure to become friends with author Kim Stagliano over the past few years as we have both worked in fits and starts to progress in our writing careers. The thing about Kim is she’s got a hell of a lot more responsibility than do I when it comes to mothering, as she is the proud mom of three girls with profound autism. But never does Kim complain about this situation. She handles it with grace and humor and incredible aplomb, and if you’ve never had the chance to read her blog you should check it out and also check out her observations on life as a mother of kids with autism on Huffington Post in which she writers extremely poignant, insightful and painfully honest commentaries about her world. Her girls have the world’s best advocate on their side; they are some very lucky children. And to those of my girlfriends out there who were denied that golden ticket to motherhood, it’s a damned shame as I know you’d be amongst the best of the best.
Mothering is beyond question an extraordinarily rewarding experience. Not a moment goes by in which I don’t feel especially privileged to be the parent of amazing kids. But I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been those times in life in which a lifeline to sanity wasn’t something I desperately needed. Especially back in those sleep-deprived days of yore. And were it not for my network of mom-friends, I’d have probably been carted off in a strait jacket on more than one occasion. So to all of my mom-friends, those I actually physically know, and those I e-know, I wish you all a peaceful and pleasant Mother’s Day, complete with little to no bloodletting.
-:¦:-
..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)).· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ·´
((¸¸. ·´ .. ·´Jenny G. -:¦:-
:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- ´* -:¦:- ´*
-:¦:-
May 6th, 2008
| Posted by Jenny Gardiner | Good Moms Bad Moms, Hallmark Corporation, Huffington Post, Jenny Gardiner, June Cleaver Nirvana, Kalynne Pudner, Kim Stagliano, Make it a Double blog, Mom Blogs, Mother's Day, Sleeping With Ward Cleaver
| 14 Comments
I have to be perfectly honest, I was a Reluctant Debutante.
Not that I didn’t see the beauty and the brilliance of The Debutante Ball site that Kristy Kiernan master-minded, not that I didn’t read it that first year regularly and love the variety of voices and topics. It was that I was POSITIVE I was not debutante material. I had never even been to a prom (having gone to college at 16), never been in a sorority (having attended a small and VERY liberal, liberal arts college that didn’t have or believe in sororities OR proms), had never joined the Mommy Club no matter where we lived. I didn’t “get” or “do” group things. Group things intimidated me. I was sure I would say or laugh at the wrong things. And debutantes? I was a Yankee. Never wore a ball gown. Had no gloves. No pearls.
So when Kristy called I was flattered but thought there is no way I can do this but what I said was, Yes…
And I’m here to tell you that joining The Debutante Ball has been one of the most valuable experiences of my publishing life. As all of you readers know, my fellow debs are all funny, smart, talented writers, as well as generous and kind-hearted. And while what we have going on ON the site is amazing, what goes on behind the scenes is more than special.
I don’t want to give away all the behind the scenes secrets (I might get thrown out for that!) but I will share that when one of us is worried or frustrated, excited or celebratory we band together like sisters. In between the savvy exchange of publishing knowledge and the “I got your back” support we all offer, we’ve shared red wine and brownie toasts and one red wine night we discussed blow jobs (is it okay I said that, girls??).
That’s it! I won’t share any more except to say that while I still don’t own any pearls or gloves, or a ball gown, joining the debs taught me that sometimes the things I’m most reluctant to do turn out to be the absolute best.
Deb Gail
May 5th, 2008
| Posted by Gail | Debutante Ball, Gail Konop-Baker, Kristy Kiernan, Mommy Club, Writing, Yankee
| 12 Comments
Deb News:
Deb Eileen would like to thank everyone who came out to see her speak at the Write On Vancouver Conference this weekend. It was great to see you at the book signing.
Deb Jess appeared in her first print and online feature article today, in The Oshkosh Northwestern! Thanks to Sarah Owen for the great write-up. Jess will also be appearing in the May 15 issue of MKE magazine.
Deb Lisa had a great write up on Friday in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in an article that compared the fictional Fifteen Minutes of Shame character Holt Gregory to real-life celebrity divorce attorney John Mayoue. (Holt surfs, John runs) Fifteen Minutes of Shame was also featured in the Sarasota Herald Tribune on Friday, and in a post-launch story that will run this Wednesday.
Curled Up With A Good Book just gave Fifteen Minutes of Shame a great review. You can read it here.
Just a reminder The Debs are participating in Brenda Novak’s Auction to raise money for diabetes research. There are some great things up for auction including exciting vacations (Deb Eileen lusts after the get-away to Susan Wigg’s place), big screen TV’s, jewelry, signed books and all types of meet and greets with various writers, agents and editors. Be sure to check it out.
Guest Author Series:
Check out author Brenda Novak on May 7th and author Dallas Hudgens on May 10th.
Contests:
Congrats to Jonathan Schramm, who has won a copy of Evan Handler’s It’s Only Temporary: The Good News and The Bad News of Being Alive!
Debs are Reading:
Deb Eileen is reading Swapping Lives by Jane Green
Deb Gail is reading Kristy Kiernan’s Matters of Faith and LOVING it!
Deb Jess is reading Complete Home Gardening so she doesn’t kill the perennials she’s planting on Sunday.
May 4th, 2008
| Posted by Eileen | Writing
| 3 Comments
I’ve seen nothing but wonderful things about Trish Ryan and her book He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. Please join me in welcoming Trish to the Ball!
A Year of May
Ah, publishing emergencies! A subject near and dear to my heart. Maybe I’m the only author neurotic enough to feel this way, but for me, any email from my agent/editor/publicist that doesn’t being with the words great, fabulous, or beyond our wildest expectations—and end with a series of exclamation points—is a publishing emergency.
This author stuff, I’ve discovered, is not for the faint of heart. Who knew? Before I jumped into the author pool, I’d read plenty of wise words about the “before” side of the writing life: tips for accumulating pages, storming through writer’s block, finding my voice/my story/my will to keep typing (even when a new episode of Dancing With the Stars was on in the next room). What nobody told me (or perhaps I just didn’t listen?) was what happens next: how every morning when you open your email, it’s a new adventure:
My editor is leaving editing, moving to a new city, and becoming an agent!
My agent is starting her own agency!
My new editor has attached the long-awaited prototype for my book cover, but includes a baffling clarification about how “the lips will be in a high gloss.” Which makes me think, slightly panicked, What LIPS???
My name, on my very first book ever, is beneath a big, fat bullfrog.
Now each of these events turned out spectacularly well. My first editor and my second editor are both great team players, pulling out all the stops to bring my glossy kissed frog book to the world’s attention. My agent was born to run her own shop, and showed amazing patience and encouragement as my proposal for book #2—which we thought would take me a week or two to pull together after submitting the manuscript for book #1—languished like so many pieces of Humpty Dumpty all across my hard drive for almost a year. And I love my glossed-up bullfrog, so much so that I’m having a hard time deciding what to call my amphibian friend (I’m thinking of taking the British monarch approach, and saddling him with every name that catches my fancy. Which at this point means he’s Roger Homer Cedric Percival Eugene. The Third.)
Still though, the past year has felt like a roller coaster as I’ve navigated the ups and downs of a complex business as a newbie. Here’s what I’ve learned: the vast majority of roller coaster rides scare the &^%$ out of you, but return you to the ground unscathed. They press your buttons, stir up your worst “what if?” fears, but ultimately, everything turns out okay.
I’m heading out on tour this week, and I expect that some new roller coaster experiences await me. I’m armed with Tide Stain Stick, a back-up outfit in case I collide with a cup of coffee or the special sauce on a Big Mac, and a determination to turn embarrassing moments into viable blog material. Because in the end, I’m not sure you can prepare for life’s emergencies any more than you can prepare for life’s happy surprises. All we can do is hold on, hope for the best, and try to remember to enjoy the big-picture view.
Thanks for having me, awesome Debs! Writing this post has been a fun reminder of how things tend to work out. Here’s to 2008 being a year with few emergencies, and experiences that exceed our (ridiculously high) expectations ☺
May 3rd, 2008
| Posted by Eileen | Writing
| 8 Comments
