A Book is Born

I tore open the packaging of my first copy of A Book is Born when I found it on my steps. I wondered how it would feel when I saw it. I had assumed this would be a different experience for me. I was not the sole author of this book. It had been created by Nancy Cleary with contributions by myself and my amazing colleagues in the mom-writers publishing co-operative. It was Ms. Cleary’s vision of her “baby” that helped make this book a reality. I read it from cover to cover. I was interrupted briefly by my 7 year old daughter who asked what I was doing. I showed her the book, my name, the dedication with her name on it. I briefly explained about how I was a part of the team of women writer’s who helped write this book and what it was about. She smiled, jumped up and down, and ran in the room to tell her best friend about what I was holding and how cool a book it was.

As I finished reading A Book is Born I realized that I had the same sense of pride being a small part of this as I did with my own book. I had imagined that because so many of us participated in writing this book and it was Nancy’s creation I would feel a bit more distance. I must confess I felt some of the same butterflies opening this book that I did with my own. My colleagues words combined with Nancy’s information/resources/experience on the journey of a writer erased any emotional distance (imagined or real) that I might have had.

I realized my pride was on multiple levels. I was so proud to be a part of a book that offers so much to help other writers dream of being an author become a reality. It tells my story and the story of many, many others. I am incredibly proud and lucky to be a part of this group of bright and talented women. What a force this group has become! Their passion and wisdom jumped out at me as I read their words. It feels wonderful to be a part of this project. My daughter sometimes asks me if I am a social worker or a writer. Today I told her I was very proud to be a writer!

Guess who didn’t make it to soccer practice today?

My daughter, Zoe.

I have a fabulous idea. I’ll blame it on my publisher who lives far away. None of the soccer moms know her.

Forget that Zoe is having a playdate and would have to be forced into shinguards and cleats like a dog into a cage. Forget that I have to go to Target tonight to retrieve goods for a dinner party I’m hosting tomorrow. Forget that it’s witchy weather outside and I’m in the mood to write.

I can blame Nancy, because A Book is Born was delivered by the postman two hours ago, and I have been absorbed, moved by words, and inspired to the point that getting the book out of my hands would be like taking a T-bone away from a dog. It ain’t happenin’.

God, I wish I’d had this book prior to writing mine. And that is the beauty of the book, it has so much valuable advice and information that it will help someone like me. Someone who dreams of being published but is scared by the process. Someone who wants to speak to the world but is intimidated by the power of words and those who use them carelessly. Someone who feels something stirring inside them, literary quickening, if you will, and asks for a sign to dictate their writing destiny.

I’m done re-reading my input, shaking my head at the things I wonder if I should have said. Yes, I state that drinking wine helped me come up with a book idea. Yep, I can quote Animal House (and Bull Durham, and Field of Dreams, and Jaws, and Gone With The Wind…) word for word. But I’m not the Lindsay Lohan of the Co-Op. I speak Latin, as a matter of fact - in vino veritas. That means “In wine there is truth.” I have all sorts of inspirations and roads to what is within me, I don’t have to be sipping Chardonnay (although it helps, like the way some rock bands made better music when…nevermind) and I am no longer afraid to speak with brevity about who I am and how I create.

I’m not done re-reading the other authors’ input. They are fine people with character and experience in their voices and purpose in their messages. When I need another sign, I’ll refer to what they say in A Book is Born. We’ve all been brought together by Nancy and what a visionary she is…and how proud I am that my literary voice found a home in the publishing world, in MWPC, and right back into me where it is stronger than ever.

My daughter missed soccer practice. I’ve been in three books. It’s my publisher’s fault.

I didn’t plan it, it planned me! (And the turnout was probably better than it would have been with planning =)

No sooner had we taken delivery and loaded the pallet of books into the back of our truck – I found myself in the middle of my first, albeit impromptu, book signing for “A Book is Born” at the Deadwood Country Store.

I was nesting all morning waiting for the delivery. I moved two printers out of my office I hadn’t been able to connect to for years. I had the co-author envelopes all lined up and ready to be stuffed. The tissue paper was ready to swaddle them in. And a page of stickers to serve as safety pins!

I signed 24 copies as quickly as possible for the co-authors, burrito-wrapped them, and priority mailed them. I hope everyone will post their first responses here…

Cheers to the Co-Op! WE DID IT!!!!!!!!

I love writing classes. I love Writer’s Conferences. I always hear something I needed to hear.

The writing classes I have recently attended were given by best-selling author Diane Dunaway. She is also the founder of the San Diego State University Writer’s Conference, 24 years strong. I could have listened to her speak for hours, even when she said things that took the wind out of my sails. If she hadn’t , she wouldn’t be giving me the real picture, and giving the real picture is what I asked her to do when I signed up to hear her speak.

She has a literary career that is what writers dream of - book deals, advances, become friends and made connections with good people, and teaching what she knows to people who, like me, sit in the front row with their hands folded around their faces and stars in their eyes, thinking our dreams aren’t far out of reach, either. I hope I didn’t annoy her.

She earned this literary career logically, step by intelligent step. I’m sure luck plays a factor in the career of every writer, but Diane Dunaway has worked hard and carries her accumulated knowledge with sincerity. “I’m here for the author,” she made a point of telling us.

Thank goodness someone is in the caveat vendor industry.

So I asked her, hoping for a vicarious experience (despite what Bob Dylan said), “What was it like to sign your first contract, get your first book deal?”

“Like having the best orgasm ever, only it lasted longer,” she said.

I hope I’m in the comforts of my own home with my husband if and when I get my first big advance and sign that lucrative contract with an agent.

It has got to be one of the most exploitive acts I can imagine - giving my brainchild, my life’s work, my brilliant idea and lofty dream over to someone who may be cynical, resentful, jaded, or just pissed off at the world and needing to piss on something in 12 point font on white 8.5 x 11 paper.

Then again, maybe it won’t be. If there is one universal literary truth, it is that truth is stranger than fiction. I write truth and fiction, but my story remains unfinished (I hope for a while). My novel in the works is intangible and dangling around in my future like the invisible mic always hanging right above the movie set, waiting for the right line delivered in the perfect way. Waiting for the right opportunity. I just can’t give up, it doesn’t feel right.

I’m holding out, with a capital “O”.

That is how I get my kicks, for now.

The proofs for “A Book is Born” are on the corner of my desk. They arrived yesterday. I think my heart is starting to return to normal pace and my knees have stopped shaking but every time I look at the pile of cream pages and the untrimmed jacket I can feel my stomach dance. I’ve published over 50 books for women, over 100 products in total, yet this is the first with MY name on the spine. About 6:15 this morning, Wyatt, who is now 10, came into my office to say good morning and saw the proofs.

“Wow Mom, what is this?”

“It’s my book honey, look that’s our name on the spine.”

“It’s cool. What’s it about?”

I opened to the foreword and read Jennifer Basye Sander’s quote, “What is it really like to be published?” and flipped through the chapters showing him the illustrations and explaining, “All my authors answered questions about each step of making their book, and I put it together to teach others how to do it.”

He stopped me on the author branding examples and his eyes got big, “I remember you doing that, and that, ooh and that,” pointing to the images he saw flash on my computer screen over the last three years.

“Mom, this is really, really great.”

I let him read the acknowledgements and he giggled. Just what I wanted.

It was better than any book review in Publishers Weekly or the New York Times. It’s hard to compete with a dad that races trucks and rock-crawls in his Jeep, but I do believe my son was proud of me this morning.

~ Nancy, the brand new mom to “A Book is Born”

My book has been out for over a year now and I was feeling that I needed some fresh ideas in terms of marketing. I began considering using a publicist. I had a meeting at BEA with a marketing group. “How would you feel about being face to face with Bill O’Reilly?” she asked me. Make it happen I said and I will be able to handle it. After much thought and some discussions I decided to use them. I wanted them to focus on TV and radio spots because these were two areas I had limited success. We agreed to work together. They had many author clients and that was important to me. They advised me to be ready because I may not have much notice.

I was on vacation and got a phone call from the publicist. He told me I would be on the radio doing a live broadcast in an hour and a half. “What will they be focusing on?” ” Infertility, how people handle it” he responded. That is pretty much my whole book I thought. Not much time to think or prepare I thought. “You’ll do great he said.” I said I would be ready and hung up and my mind began to race trying to think about talk points and what questions I would be fielding. I didn’t have a copy of my book with me to reference it. The phone rang again, it was my publicist. “Great news. You will have another live broadcast a half hour after this one.” I couldn’t believe it. “You’ll do great he said.”

It is strange to call a number and talk with somebody you don’t know who doesn’t know me, knowing it is being broadcast live to many people in many places. I kept reminding myself to relax, sound thoughtful, insightful, interesting, and focus on what the interviewer was asking me. I found myself thinking about when I was at home or driving in my car listening to talk shows and imagining things about how the person being interviewed looks or acts or intellectually/emotionally responding to what they are saying. It was challenging at times. It got my heart pumping. It was great to have an opportunity to reach more people in new places in a new way. I got my wish.

I have done 3 radio interviews so far. Two were live and one was taped. I felt each was better than then last. I am not sure if that was my comfort level or the people interviewing me or both. My publicist called to tell me I have two more interviews scheduled and they are working on more media opportunities for me. “You’ll do great I keep hearing him say.” I am doing my best to believe it.

Good Day Atlanta went well… and really fast!!  It was a 3 minute segment so I was not able to get much in.  We mostly covered my inspiration for the book and how it is really timely for young girls today.  Unfortunately, nothing about “A Book Is Born” on the air but I was prepared just in case. The good thing is I now have a great relationship with the producers and hosts thanks to my 3 year old “publicist”, Kennedy.  She charmed the pants off of everyone at the station!  They want her to come back so there is my “in” for “A Book Is Born”  (and other YBS Guides) in the future!  Note to any of you planning a television debut, take cute kids to the green room!!

I have not watched the interview yet.  All who saw it live and online said I did well and looked great.  I am a little skeptical…not exactly thrilled that my television debut was with loads of post-baby weight, but all in all, it felt great!  Hey… see for yourself:  WATCH CHRISTIE ON GOOD DAY ATLANTA

This morning, I checked my website traffic… 40 hits it in the past 24 hours and several subscribers to my Author Blog and Big Sister’s Wisdom blog!  I have a book signing this weekend that was mentioned on the show… I am looking forward to a great turnout.