Thursday, 28 April 2011

Another First

Thought I'd post this now so it's next to the previous post and you won't get too fed up with me mentioning success.

My children's novel, 'Summer of the Eagles' has been accepted by another Canadian publisher! I'm absolutely thrilled about this as I've always hoped to get this one published. It's set on a Scottish island and the first part won 2nd prize many years ago at our annual writing conference, but then languished unfinished while I got on with all the other writing I do (butterfly writer, that's me!). So I finally rewrote it in light of a bit more experience, finished it and found a publisher for this age group.

It's for their Tween range (10-14 years) and will be in e-book form, but I retain the print rights if they don't go on to publish it in print. So it's a win-win situation. At least two friends have already said their sons will want to read it as an e-book, and I haven't even told everyone yet! I've spent most of this afternoon reading the contract and filling out the marketing and bio forms.

So a message to all those at the beginning of their writing careers, or who feel like giving up sometimes: keep going! Each little piece of success we have adds to another and encourages us to never give up. If you love to write, then persevere and send your work out. I'm always happy to help with market advice (I've given talks on markets to local writing groups) so if anyone is looking for a specific kind of publisher please ask if you think I might be able to tell you anything worthwhile.

Rosemary

17 comments:

Teresa Ashby said...

Wow - congratulations, Rosemary! I had a feeling there was going to be more good things happening for you :-)

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thank you so much for all your support, Teresa! I'm still a bit overwhelmed but that's the contract and marketing sheets away now.

Bill Kirton said...

I was about to say you should be getting used to your status of novelist by now - but we never do, do we? It's always a childish sort of delight (and 'childish' is definitely not pejorative in my book). The pleasure you're getting from all this is infectious. Great stuff, Rosemary. You deserve the success.

penandpaints said...

Rosemary, that's brilliant, congratulations!!

Frances Garrood said...

Great news, Rosemary! Many congratulations.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Bill - thanks for the comment. I don't think I'll ever get used to it! But I'm beginning to believe it.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thank you very much, penandpaints and Frances. I love the support amongst the bloggers.

Joanna said...

Really fantastic news, Rosemary! I feel so happy for you. It is so inspiring to hear about other writers' successes. Congratulations! I have a thirteen-year-old who will be very interested in reading your book.

joanne fox said...

That is marvellous news Rosemary. Mega congratulations! Here's to butterfly writers everywhere!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks again for your support, Joanna! My heroine is 13 and the 'hero' is around 15 so I'm glad it fits your 13 year-old's age group! Though it won't be out until around next March.

Thanks a lot, Joanne! And yes to butterfly writers!

Karen said...

Fantastic news, congratulations!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks a lot, Karen

Talli Roland said...

Congrats, Rosemary! And yay for Canada!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks for commenting and following, Talli. Have just found your great blog!

Angela Ackerman said...

Rosemary, I saw your comment on Becca's post at The Bookshelf Muse--congrats on all your successes!

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Oh that was kind of you to comment, Angela - thank you! It's quite exciting just now.

K.C. Woolf said...

Like you say: never give up. Congratulations! :-)