Sunday, January 10, 2010

To a little author who’s ONE! (My first year in publishing…)

by Nikki Logan


A year ago last month, I received a phone call from Kimberley Young of Harlequin’s London office to ask ‘a few questions’ about the revised version of my submitted novel. She finessed me into thinking there were subsequent revisions and then blew my mind by offering me a two-book deal instead. Surprise!

That means I’ve just passed my first anniversary with Harlequin Enterprises.

Given the rapidly approaching New Year, it seems like a doubly good time to reflect on the (First) Year That Was in my journey as a published author. This will mean most to other writers (just published or yet-to-be published) but I hope that readers will enjoy it, too.


The wise words of Tracey O’Hara (Night’s Cold Kiss) come back to me. She commented on the transition from being a big fish in a comfortably small pond to being a small fish in a giant, anonymous, competitive ocean. A bit like Finding Nemo, I found myself joining a tank with long-timers who weren’t too jaded to help out the new author with the wonky flipper—even if they occasionally burst into conspiracy theory and devised creative plots to escape. Beyond our tank, the ocean was a great, shady mystery filled with strange creatures and dangerous currents ready to sweep an unsuspecting newbie-fish miles off course. Advertising, promotion, blogging, networking, joining loop after loop, luring with the holy chalice of reader access if you just spend $500 on a business card sized ad on some website…

They distract, they confuse, they disorient. My job as an author was to just…keep…swimming…


And like the little blue Dory fish who suddenly found herself surrounded by silent, ominous, rising, sea-jellies…finding a place for me and my measly two-book-deal amongst a rising raft of established anonymous authors was daunting. It took me a while to realise I could stay out of trouble as long as I kept moving. Keep the momentum up. It helped me to see that the flashy jellies with the look-at-me tentacles (and the loudest voices) weren’t the ones I was interested in learning from. It was the big, silent, successful, experienced jellies that offered me the best education.

And then just when I had worked out how to bounce happily around on the harmless tops of the author-jellies, I was diagnosed with melanoma.

Me… Half-hobbit, half-vampire.

The irony of that did not escape me but I grew determined not to let it interfere with my golden new direction. I would be a successful new author. I would go to work in my pyjamas and to morning tea with girlfriends. There was no way on God’s green earth that I was going to let melanoma take me before I saw my book on a shelf and before I was forty. It was a brilliant motivator, it let me stay positive, it gave me a firm horizon to aim for. Two cuts and a lot of Petri-dishes later my positivity was rewarded with an all-clear and I was back amongst the author-Jellies, rising up and down with the tide.

The universe apologised for the skin cancer in the most tangible fashion! I graciously accepted its contrition. I was offered a spot in an Aussie continuity. Then a spot in a UK novella. I was offered a cover flash and two pages of extra materials to talk directly to readers about what I love—nature.

I read. I watched. I worked. I wrote. I sucked up knowledge like a little sea sponge all year. Some days the doubts won, but for the most part I did. I got my first Author Alterations. More learning. I got revisions on my second novel. Then my third.

And still I didn’t have a book on the shelf. Are you kidding me??

I turned forty. It didn’t hurt nearly as much as I’d feared. I was too busy writing to mope.

I asked work if I could go part-time—a commitment to my belief in myself and that golden dream for the future. They said no, the dirty stinking dream-busters. But they pay me so what could I do? J

I entered my first RITA – just because I could. I have no expectation of winning but I did it while I could still say ‘first book’. International politics mean it may be my last RITAs, too.

I entered the RuBY – just because I could. My days of being a comp whore are absolutely not behind me. Hey, it worked for me once!

I signed contracts for books 5 and 6 but still no debut on the shelf.

I asked the universe for one more favour—in return for me working so hard all year—and it delivered. I was offered a job that is, effectively, part-time. This moves me from the influence of some very unpleasant human-jellies and means I can take a bunch of months off in the middle of 2010. And around that I’m responsible for a project that other people would pay to work on.

And so…as I head into my second year as a published author I have six book contracts under my belt, a war-wound as long as a biro on my arm, quasi part-time status at work for 2010, a better understanding of the big pond that is ‘published’ and a book nearly…nearly... on the shelf. 

And I remind myself daily of the importance of ‘just…keep….swimming…’



It’s been quite a ride. It’s been quite a year. May you all have one just like it as we head into 2010 (you know, except for the bad stuff ;) )

From me and my family, to you and yours a very Happy New Year to you all.





Nikki Logan’s debut novel ‘Lights, Camera…Kiss the Boss’ comes out (US/UK) in time for Valentines Day, 2010. ‘Their Newborn Gift’ releases in June 2010.







7 comments:

Fiona G said...

Nikki

What a year you've had! Congratulations on scoring the better work-writing balance - imagine how much you can produce with less paid work!! I hope your second year is equal in greatness to your first.

Fi

AJ Blythe said...

Nikki, what a wonderful year you have had. Such an inspiration for us still swimming in that tank, just hoping one day we can break free and make the ocean ;)

To have so much under your belt, and STILL not have that book on the shelf.

Imagine what 2010 will bring!

Eleni Konstantine said...

Happy Anniversary Nikki!! You have been a true inspiration to me with all the hard work you have put in & the determination you have. Thanks for showing us how it's done & sharing your experiences with us.

I'm loving LCKTB...it's my wind down read at the end of lately hectic days. Thank you for such a great read.

Have a fantastic 2010! & I'm sure there will be many more books our way.

Angie Peters said...

Nikki! What an inspiring and honest post. Thank you for lifting the veil on the mystery surrounding what happens once you are newly published.

Your story is inspirational to aspiring authors like me.

I've already finished reading your debut as an e-book. Wow! Just like you compare yourself to the 'big experienced jellies' in the publishing ocean, aspiring authors will be comparing themselves to you. I couldn't stop turning the pages, so enthralled in the story and your characters that I 'forgot' to make dinner (I'm sure my hubby will thank you - LOL). Your debut was just as good as authors I have read who have multiple publishing credits.

Best of luck with achieving your writing goals in 2010. Six books in a year - holy smoke, you're prolific! Especially while working full-time (note to self: put bum in chair and fingers on keyboard regularly).

Can't wait to read more - keep 'em coming.

Alison said...

You have accomplished so much, my friend. Until i read this I hadn't realised just *how* much. I feel priviledged to have been a witness to your success. I can only say it is so well deserved. Even from the beginning I think it was clear you were going to 'make it'. You had set your goal and showed the drive to succeed and your talent was obvious. And you have never hesitated to give generously of your time and energies to help your fellow writers. You are an inspiration, Nikki. I know we'll be reading your wonderful stories for years to come. Congratulations.

Nikki Logan said...

Fi, Eleni & Alison -- my fellow bootcampers -- thank you for your lovely words. I wholeheartedly believe that my journey would have been different had I not spotted a little ad for some crazy workshop idea called 'Bootcamp' two years ago and met a fabulous group of writers to support, encourage & advise me. Bootcampers *do* rock.

Nikki Logan said...

Anita -- there's plenty of room out here in the ocean, my friend, and the water's fine :) I'll save you a spot in the Bootcamp corner :)

Angie - thank you for your lovely words and I'm so pleased you enjoyed 'Lights Camera...' *AND* thanks for buying it as an e-book and saving a bit of a tree. It spins me out that anyone would think of me the way I think of some of the 'big jellies' but I guess I'll get used to that as I go on.

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