Yesterday I was at the bookstore, looking for a copy of The Prince of Frogtown, by Rick Bragg. I actually went to two different bookstores, because, well, I can't resist. I was also looking for Land of Entrapment, by Andi Marquette, which I couldn't find.
But I did find a copy of Miss McGhee, on the shelf in Borders, at Tyrone Mall. Yes, I still get a thrill, just like the very first time I saw my novel sitting on a shelf in a bookstore.
If you haven't read All Over But the Shoutin' or Ava's Man, I can recommend both books by Rick Bragg, an Alabama writer from Jacksonville. Last I heard, Bragg was teaching at the University of Alabama. In his acknowledgments, Bragg thanked the University for giving him a place to write in earshot of the chimes. I am envious.
You may wonder why I haven't posted anything for a while. It's because I was in the throes of rewriting What's Best for Jane, for what seemed like the hundredth time. I got a phone call yesterday from my editor, telling me the latest rewrite is good. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
So I can explain a little more now about the delay in releasing What's Best for Jane. Three versions were rejected, rightly so, because they just weren't good enough. Finally, following very specific suggestions from editor Kelly Smith of Bywater Books, she called to tell me I got it right on the fourth rewrite.
Having a first novel published does not help with the second. In fact, at least in my case, that success made the second book much more difficult to write. I've heard from other writers that the second book is always harder to do.
In my case, I did everything wrong. The thought of disappointing the readers of Miss McGhee buzzed in my head constantly. The higher expectations (at least in my mind) of Bywater Books also kept company with a lot of other fears. The fact that Jane is a sequel to the first book gave me fits of indecision.
The story idea also bothered me. I worried about everything, and produced really bad writing. Here's the thing: most lesbian books have a romance of some sort within. What's Best for Jane does not.
So, with all these doubts, fears, second guesses, did I mention fears, and imagined expectations, I flubbed it. I froze. I swung and missed.
I am grateful for the patience of Bywater Books, who let me wade through all these efforts, who kept pushing me to do it again.
I am also grateful for the patience of those who read Miss McGhee and who are waiting for the sequel. It is coming, I promise. The delays are due entirely to the author and are no fault of the publisher.
I encourage everyone to read. Go to the library, go to your favorite bookstore, go online and order your books, but read.
Having said that, there are some disturbing trends that affect me as a writer, and that also affect my publishers and other small presses like them, and that you, as readers, can impact.
Borders Books has been in financal trouble for some time. First there was an attempt to sell it. Now, they are redesigning their shelf space. I'll quote From Karin Kallmaker's blog:
