At this point in time, two projects have come in, been done, and gone out again. Another one has just come in (the big one, the one I was most worried about, feedback and revisions for RAMPANT,) and I’ve just had a quick count up and I’m still expecting 3 more. Gulp. These things seem to be playing fair with me so far -- as one goes out the next one comes in. This is by sheer luck, because they are with several different publishers. Let’s hope that pattern continues though, to avoid embarrassing panic situations on my behalf. ;)
RAMPANT is my first novel for Spice and my biggest, most complex project to date at around 102K words. I love this book, but I'd been nervous about it and how my editor would respond. I was given a two book deal on the strength of the partial for this book, a first for me, and I was scared about living up to that. My editor's feedback put all my fears to rest! She said such positive things about the novel, I was literally grinning from ear to ear when I read her email. I’m so relieved. She is also anticipating my second novel, THE HARLOT, as the seeds of the story came from a historic backstory in RAMPANT. THE HARLOT is set in the same world as that backstory.
It might just be me, but it’s at this point I begin to feel part of a line/publisher, when I get feedback on a completed MS and exchange mail and thoughts about the story with the editor. It’s the teamwork aspect, I guess. I’ve been signed to the Spice print line for over a year, and perhaps some writers would feel like a Spice writer once the contract was exchanged, but for me it is now. And it feels grand. I hope I can continue to make my editor this happy, and I hope readers will enjoy the story as much as she did.
The revisions I have to make are not major, mostly about clarifying things, and it will be fun completing them. I have two weeks, plenty of time. I’m completing a short story today, and then starting on Monday I’ll be doing my last work through RAMPANT, tweaking it, before it goes to line edits.
You can read the blurb and an excerpt from RAMPANT here. The book is scheduled for April publication. I've seen a mock up of the cover and should have the final one to post soon. It's gorgeous!
Of course this means that writing on THE HARLOT has been put on hold. I’ve been doing research and making notes, but I’m glad I’ve had this feedback from my editor before I get properly stuck in. It’s given me great motivation to forge ahead in October and November.
