What comes next
Thank you all so much for your congratulations and encouragement. I’m thrilled that so many of you are looking forward to this book! I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.
So second draft is done… Several of you asked what the next steps are. Now second draft goes to my readers. I’ve revised it to the best of my ability (and with previous feedback from these and other readers in mind) and now it’s time to hand it over and see how it looks to them. I’ll then take their responses to the manuscript and work with those comments that feel right and set aside those that don’t. And hopefully the result will be the third and final draft. The second draft readers are my teachers Michael Cunningham and Ernesto Mestre, and my friends (and fellow artists/writers) Christina, Alicia, and Lon. Christina is also keeping me honest regarding a main theme in the novel, as she’s classically trained in that field and I’m just an enthusiastic dabbler. If I’ve gotten it wrong in the text she will call me on it.
When I have a final draft, then I’ll send the manuscript around to agents. I’ve decided not to use the same agent that I had for the Spanish phrase book. (Since the book is literary fiction, I really want someone who handles a lot of it and has contacts at the top houses who are interested in buying literary fiction.) Through the mfa program and through my mother-in-law (you never know where help will come from! No, I won’t name names. Don’t want to jinx it.) I’ve got connections to some great ones. In an ideal universe, one of these agents will agree to represent the book. The agent will then send the manuscript around to the publishing houses until someone buys it. (Cue trumpets. Fanfare and confetti.)
And then a whole different set of headaches begins. Since I’ve worked in book publishing for the past ten years now, I’m afraid I know all too well what can go wrong after the book is sold to a publisher. But one step at a time. For now, it’s with two readers and waiting to be given to the rest. Christina got her copy today and at midnight I got an email that she’s read through chapter ten. (See, that’s how you know your friends love you. They keep reading until their contacts dry out.)
Oh, and Em read the prologue today. No, she won’t tell you what it’s about. Not even if you ask really nicely. Those of you local folk who can make it to the reading on the 19th will hear that and the first chapter that night, though.
I met the drafty ladies at our new home away from home today. KnitNY is over. We’re at The Point now, baby. Brie and green apples on pumpernickel. Free coffee refills. The convenience of the West Village. Ahhh….
Oh…and I finished the front of the corset pullover tonight.
I’d like to say I’ll be knitting all weekend, but you know better, don’t you? Yes, I’m on deadline. Yes, I’ll be editing all weekend. It’s okay, though. See, it’s finally spring. The forsythia, tulips, daffodils, and grape hyacinth are blooming in my front garden. The crocuses are threatening to bloom soon too. If I’m not careful, spring fever may well get me and I could end up doing something drastic, like knitting with 100% cotton. (Ick.)
Wow-nerve racking, sending your work out to people you know will be honest with you. I can’t even comprehend the skill it takes to write a book. Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!
Posted by: Janet
As usual, I missed the Point. Oh come on!!! I had to say it.
I’m amazed you can get any work done, with The Novel being out and about with all those people. Guess the editing is a distraction. I’m looking forward to the reading: I’ll be there with my air horn and giant foam “Cari’s #1” hand.
Posted by: Iris
Thanks for all the info on the process. Sounds stressful, I don’t think I’m made for that. That’s great that you have some contacts, our friend Cari’s gonna be famous 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
My fingers will be crossed for you for as long as you need them to be. hell, I’ll even cross my knickers for you too.
Are they pencils you’re using as stitch holders….
Posted by: A
Wow-nerve racking, sending your work out to people you know will be honest with you. I can’t even comprehend the skill it takes to write a book. Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!
Posted by: Janet
As usual, I missed the Point. Oh come on!!! I had to say it.
I’m amazed you can get any work done, with The Novel being out and about with all those people. Guess the editing is a distraction. I’m looking forward to the reading: I’ll be there with my air horn and giant foam “Cari’s #1” hand.
Posted by: Iris
Thanks for all the info on the process. Sounds stressful, I don’t think I’m made for that. That’s great that you have some contacts, our friend Cari’s gonna be famous 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
My fingers will be crossed for you for as long as you need them to be. hell, I’ll even cross my knickers for you too.
Are they pencils you’re using as stitch holders….
Posted by: A
OH! I LOVE literary fiction! I promise to buy it as soon as it comes out! Good luck on the editing…
Posted by: Kristine
Alas, we’ll all be waiting along with you though this process. Who knows, maybe one of your blog readers will be able to help somehow!
The corset looks spectacular!
Posted by: melanie
Congrats on the book! I can not wait to send HUGE congrats when the book is published (which I know will happen because IT JUST WILL!)
Yep, I believe in believing!
Posted by: Rebecca
…after I sent you the midnight email and took my contacts out, I read 3 more chapters in bed..I am consuming your story
Posted by: xina
Pssstttt….I was going to email you but I can not locate the address…I’m sure it is in a very safe place somewhere on the computer!
Anyway, I am starting a Proust book group here in Seattle with another knitter but I wanted to if you had any tips on a reading schedule. I don’t want to assign too much and then overwhelm myself and others. I want us to enjoy Marcel!
Thanks in advance! and again….I can not wait to read your book and have you sign a published copy when you come out here on your book tour. (When I dream, I dream BIG!)
Posted by: Rebecca
I’m going to try my best not to drool all over that corset pullover when I see it in person! It’s gorgeous.
Posted by: sarah g.
OH! I LOVE literary fiction! I promise to buy it as soon as it comes out! Good luck on the editing…
Posted by: Kristine
Alas, we’ll all be waiting along with you though this process. Who knows, maybe one of your blog readers will be able to help somehow!
The corset looks spectacular!
Posted by: melanie
Congrats on the book! I can not wait to send HUGE congrats when the book is published (which I know will happen because IT JUST WILL!)
Yep, I believe in believing!
Posted by: Rebecca
…after I sent you the midnight email and took my contacts out, I read 3 more chapters in bed..I am consuming your story
Posted by: xina
Pssstttt….I was going to email you but I can not locate the address…I’m sure it is in a very safe place somewhere on the computer!
Anyway, I am starting a Proust book group here in Seattle with another knitter but I wanted to if you had any tips on a reading schedule. I don’t want to assign too much and then overwhelm myself and others. I want us to enjoy Marcel!
Thanks in advance! and again….I can not wait to read your book and have you sign a published copy when you come out here on your book tour. (When I dream, I dream BIG!)
Posted by: Rebecca
I’m going to try my best not to drool all over that corset pullover when I see it in person! It’s gorgeous.
Posted by: sarah g.
And I think I forgot to mention – Congrats on writing an entire-freaking-book! I can’t believe how productive you are. And, I can’t wait to ask for it in every bookstore I walk into, someday soon.
Posted by: sarah g.
congratulations on finishing this step in your book! gosh, I couldn’t even manage to finish most of my papers in college, much less write a book so I am impressed!! and the corset – ooo lala, it’s lovely!!
Posted by: gaile
Ooh, I want a giant “Cari’s #1” foam finger too! Although I think it should be in “rock on” throwing metal form.
Posted by: Em
Hey- last night I dreamt someone walked into the place I was in wearing the corset pullover. I thought, wow, that looks great! and it was you! But your hair was darker; shades of burgundy. Looked fab.
Posted by: Iris
And I think I forgot to mention – Congrats on writing an entire-freaking-book! I can’t believe how productive you are. And, I can’t wait to ask for it in every bookstore I walk into, someday soon.
Posted by: sarah g.
congratulations on finishing this step in your book! gosh, I couldn’t even manage to finish most of my papers in college, much less write a book so I am impressed!! and the corset – ooo lala, it’s lovely!!
Posted by: gaile
Ooh, I want a giant “Cari’s #1” foam finger too! Although I think it should be in “rock on” throwing metal form.
Posted by: Em
Hey- last night I dreamt someone walked into the place I was in wearing the corset pullover. I thought, wow, that looks great! and it was you! But your hair was darker; shades of burgundy. Looked fab.
Posted by: Iris