I've read the contract and mailed off my comments/queries/concerns to the agent in the small hours. Now I await her response. I should have the signature copies of the contract in my hands some time next week.
After all the waiting and all the angst, I should be ecstatic. When I went to bed last night - actually around three this morning - I had to remind myself to say a prayer, and to mention therein that even though I didn't feel ecstatic, I was extremely thankful that the long awaited event had arrived.
I assume the euphoria will come, maybe when I see my signature on the thing in indelible ink. After all, this is a major benchmark on this road that I've chosen: my first publishing contract. I'm supposed to feel euphoric. The slight letdown that I'm experiencing must be the normal response to having the tension removed, of having overdone the anticipation and overestimated the joy I'd feel. The joy is there, somewhere; I know it is. So why don't I feel it?
14 comments:
It's like post traumatic stress disorder. You'll feel it later. Congratulations!
I'm with the anti-wife -- you've got some kind of self protective thing at work here.
It's sinking in as we speak.
If you're anything like me, you won't feel euphoric again until you have copies of your book in your hot little hands. (Not that I've ever had that pleasure, tbh, but I'm extrapolating. :) ) From here it's either waiting or working, and I think your subconscious recognises that.
Don't worry, you'll be happy again. It's just like, as in the rest of the publishing world, it'll be a slow process.
Just saw your comment on the Novel Racers' blog. What fabulous news!!! You should do a separate post on the NR blog so everyone hears your great news:-)
I agree with the anti-wife! :)
It'll come! After signing the contract it seems there is this gulf of nothingness that happens. Wait'll you get your author copies and then see it on the shelf!
Btw, thanks for coming over to MY blog, lol. I made it here because I'm a member of the Jamie Bamber site, and they posted a link to yours because of the pic. I was delighted to find a fellow author!
That's the trouble with having to wait so long for something. i should imagine it won't feel real for a while. I'm sure it will come though, with even bigger rushes to follow:-)
x
This is wonderful news! And I know you are feeling sort of flat but that is ok, because the thing you've been working so hard for has happened at last and yet nothing seems to have changed. You wait until you see the first printed copy of your book, it is the most exciting, thrilling fulfilling moment you can imagine! Congratulations you've acheived something really special. Rowanx
Be careful what you ask for you just may get it. ~ From the Buddhist who never signed a book deal.
Contentment doesn't come from mega-lucrative book contracts or even having your picture splashed on the front page of the TNT Mirror right next to a popular terrorist or politician. Contentment comes from the simple things in life like international book tours and and being interviewed on TV by Dr. Morgan Job.
Congratulations!!! I will soon have something I really want to read :)
Wordtryst, Just saw your news on Novel Racers blog (I've been away). Fabulous news, well done, and don't worry. It'll all come in its own good time!
JJx
I suppose it's something like raising a child - little jolts of joy with each step, combined with feelings of exhaustion and being overwhelmed. Like Kaz said, there'll be another stage of happiness.
When it's all over, you'll do it all over again with your next book. Congratulations!
Maybe the news just hasn't quite sunk in yet and you're afraid to be joyous prematurely, but when it hits you, look out! Celebrate in grand style when the mood strikes you. Congratulations!
(Thanks for the tips on how to get my blogger award up on my blog. I'm not particularly adept where computers are concerned, but given your expert advice, I feel that much less like a techno-weenie:)
anti-wife, kim and nyc/caribbean, thank you. I think you're all right. I'll get there.
kaz, I was deluding myself that the work on that novel was done. I'm now looking at four pages of comments and recommendations from the editor, as well as a deadline of Nov 30. Grindstone, here I come...
liz, I'll do a post over at NR soon, I promise.
Donna, you're welcome! A Jamie Bamber site linked me? Ohboy. He's H-O-T!
Lane, I'm beginning to understand why writers are advised to begin another project as soon as they complete one. If they don't the waiting would send them clean round the bend. This process is SLOW.
Thank you, rowan. I believe you're right. Holding the book in my sweaty little hands will be the ultimate high.
aka_lol, thank you so much. I'm sitting in an internet cafe and people are staring at me because I'm snorting and chuckling at your post. Morgan Job indeed! Btw, if there's one thing this contract ain't, it's lucrative. Advances for first novels in this genre are so low it's a scandal. But hopefully I'll get to lucrative-land one day...
Thank you, jj, chumplet, and everyone, for being so supportive.
Helen, thank you, and you're welcome re the advice! I'm no expert, believe me, but Blogger makes it easy to learn.
Just having your book published is lucrative. But scandals are never useless and can make for good romance novels :)
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