Manuscript finished and waiting

I haven’t written for a while because I have had very sore hands…a combination of arthritis and tendonitis and am giving my fingers a rest…well sort of. I have had both hands in splints and after a few weeks, I dont think the pain is as bad..but I certainly cant undo jars, or hold heavy pots, turn taps on…actually the worst action of all is pulling up my pants…..

Anyway, some progress to report. In Australia, twice a year authors with the Australian Society of Authors have an opportunity to pitch their books to a publisher…very hard to get an appt and even harder to do a successful pitch. the first time I did it, my camera wouldnt work ..it was so very stressful. I practiced for two months, designing and refining my pitch. You have to do it without prompts and it isnt a recap of your synopsis…its a what else has the book got to offer, why should we select you, what is the point of difference. who does it stand alongside   will it make a series….or be a standalone. I also did a second pitch to a literary agent from HACHETT which I knew was an abysmal failure after one minute. He couldnt even be bothered saying hello or helping a nervous author to settle and his arrogance was unnecessary. In the end I didnt care, I would never work with anyone of that character. anyway. Talk about up himself and that is me being restrained.

A few weeks later, Hachette contacted me. I was one of a very few authors asked to submit further work. THree months later I have as yet received no feedback. Apparently this is normal, but the wait is excrutiating.

A few weeks after the Australian pitches, New Zealand opened up pitches, but the format was slightly different. This time they had the synopsis and the publishers read these before selecting the authors they wanted to hear from. This time Allen and Unwin contacted me and I pitched to them. This time I wasn’t as nervous, knew with confidence what I wanted to say and am thrilled to report…they now have requested the manuscript. That was two months ago,,,,,

I tell myself I am pleased I have got this far….and even if nothing eventuates with them, I know this third book is my best and I will publish it myself.

So watch this space.

I am writing something new..taking it slowly and being mindful of the preciousness of my hands. I am also selling my house and moving to something smaller, spending more time trying to get better at bridge and have promised myself a summer of rest…no more closing the curtains so I cant see the sea or the sparking day outside.  No matter what happens, i suspect 2028 is going to be a very busy year.

photos is of me and a colleague testing water in households in Iraq after the war…..