Friday, 4 June 2010

No cartwheels without a contract, but...

…I think I can risk a small blog post to announce that I've just accepted an offer to publish my novel, The Ghost Effect.

As I'm very cautious by nature, I don't want to even name the publishing house yet, just in case something happens before the paperwork comes through, but I think you can tell by the way I'm grinning that it's a good one. I went to London about ten days ago to meet the publisher and my future editor and had a really rather galvanising and inspirational time. Beside their enthusiasm for the characters and the story, they did say that they think the second part of the novel could do with some work, and I hope I made it clear that I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to make this the strongest début novel I can manage. There was even speculative but exciting chat about the future, but stop, Taylor, stop...

No cartwheels without a contract.

But it's very exciting! All the more so because there were two top-notch publishers interested at the end, and I was able to pursue my chance with the one whose list seemed the more natural home for my book. I'm pleased to say that Boris is utterly speechless about all this, and even Natasha left a congratulatory post-it on her way through to see someone more interesting.

The publication window mentioned is Spring 2012 (gasp), though that's still a quite normal period of delay. The book will be published in all the obvious English-speaking countries... but I'm getting ahead of myself again.

Anyway, to all those who have kept their fingers crossed for me, please feel free to flex again, and thank you for your moral support and kind comments here. My own fingers will remain firmly in the crossed position however, right up until I need them to sign my name on the contract.

Then I'll post a picture of me doing a cartwheel:)

30 comments:

  1. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

    I just did a cartwheel for you. I'm totally allowed. :)

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  2. Flip flip flip flip....If Amanda's doing the cartwheels I'm doing back flips...xxx

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  3. Oh Thomas, I'm so happy for you! That's fantastic. I can't wait to read all the details.

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  4. so chuffed for you, Sir! Full of admiration for anyone who even gets to the end of writing a novel- to get one published is beyond my comprehension! Blimmin, welldone- I shall look forward to a 2012 Amazon trip!

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  5. AMAZING.......WE ARE DOING THE HAPPY HOPS....WATCHING THIS SPACE EVERY DAY. LOVE AS ALWAYS DAD RIKKE X

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  6. Hey Thomas!

    That is really good news! Well done. You have worked hard I believe :-)

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  7. proud to say that i am related!! haha!! love you big brother!! xx

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  8. Thank you.

    Amanda, that's an amazing cartwheel. I'd like to see another like that soon:)

    Ha ha, hello Mum. Flipping out as usual.

    Thanks Natalie. Details to come once the ink's dry.

    Cassia, thanks. 2012 is a long way off, but at least it'll arrive in time for the end of the world.

    Dad! Thanks for commenting. I'll even forgive you for shouting:)

    Marcus, hej! How much for a front cover endorsement?

    Hello Aimée. This is turning into a family reunion. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon. x

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  9. Wonderful news! Still crossed. So happy for you!!! :P

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  10. Thanks, Terry. And thanks Cat -- that's purrrfect.

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  11. I knew you'd do it! Super brilliant mega congratulations! Really made my day reading this!

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  12. Fantastic, fantastic - absolutely delighted for you!

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  13. Many thanks, Simon. You played your role, as you know, even though I pulled the beta-reading rug out from under you prematurely. Still sorry about that:-/

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  14. Found you at Natalie's site. Congratulations! So exciting!

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  15. Natalie sent all of us over here to congratulate you! So congratulations! This is really exciting.

    My fingers are crossed for you too!

    PS. I'm following you in hopes of seeing that kartwheel picture....

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  16. Congratulations, Thomas! I'm another one Natalie sent over. :)

    I used to be a gymnast, so I'm looking forward to seeing your Perfect 10 cartwheel!

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  17. Natalie sent me over too...congratulations! You're living the dream! We'll do cartwheels with you!

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  18. Hello Janet, Melissa, Laura and Julie! It's very good of Natalie to mention me on her blog, though it looks like the pressure to actually do that cartwheel is mounting:)

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  19. Really pleased for you Thomas - it takes such a lot of hard work to get there...not to say bitten nails, too much drink and nervous tension...looking forward to hearing the details.

    Mary-Jane

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  20. congrats "half-step-neph" ;-)

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  21. Congratulations Thomas. Hope i can get hold of a copy here in Spain

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  22. Thanks, Mary-Jane. Nail biting and nervous tension indeed:)

    Hi, bigbloke. Thanks for commenting, Honorary Unc.

    Thanks, Teresa (is that you?), I hope there'll be a Spanish co-edition too.

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  23. Rather late seeing this but hearty congratulations from me too. Must be almost as much a relief as a thrill after so much work and so long waiting. Well done, sir.

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  24. Many thanks, Dave. This novel took 18 months of pushing and shoving and sobbing and furniture throwing and occassional writing.

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  25. How did I miss this? Congratulations!

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  26. Oh Thomas, that's marvellous news!
    I will keep my fingers crossed till the contracts are signed, all the t's crossed and i's dotted!

    I'm very happy for you :)

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