I feel this all so much, River. Similar arcs, similar hopes, similar disappointments, though of course with different life circumstances and challenges. (And, just to tell you you're also not alone in this, I decided to write my next book, too -- I have a proposal, and shopped it around after over a year of work on that monster, but I think when stories want to be born maybe sometimes we have to let them come out all squirmy and crying and figure out how to make them presentable afterward.)
Hotshot is preordered at my local bookstore! And also to tell you you're not alone -- my little group of science writer friends has two people who write about botany, and we've talked a lot about what it feels like to watch other books on your same subject come out at the same time. Consensus seems to be that if any one of the books does well (hopefully your own), it actually helps the others because people look for other books on the subject. Not that it makes it feel any better
Thank you so much for all of this, Antonia! I want to hear about your next book, if you ever want to share.
And I've been meaning to write about the relationship I now have with Kelly Ramsey, whose firefighting memoir is coming out soon. I reached out to her and we are friends now (even though I was told she was "competition"). The friendship is everything to me and will hopefully last far beyond our book debuts.
First of all, congratulations! You're a new author. That's amazing!
Second of all, Congratulations on that Kirkus Review! You're off to such a great start!
Third, i can't find the book on my Amazon. Will it only be available in North America?
Fourth (and fifth and nth), as you can imagine, i found much to relate to here. I am currently reading Amitava Kumar's Green Book, and he wrote about being nervous and bitter while waiting for his last novel to come out, so this period is terrible even for acclaimed, seasoned writers!
"My path took over six years, and I never would have imagined it taking that long." Yep, yep (nearly seven for me). I am now realising this is not as unusual as popular imagination would have you believe, especially for first books.
Anyway, wish you all the best in this very exciting and stressful time.
I've been thinking about this comment for weeks, and I'm so sorry it's taken me forever to respond! First of all, definitely bummed that my book doesn't seem to be available in India, especially because it's available in so many other countries. I would love to send you an electronic galley for now, and perhaps I can personally send a finished copy your way once it's released?
Second of all, yes. It is a REALLY hard time. Like, every day is different. I do seem to be getting better at it, but it's rough. I am very much in a place of "can the book just be out already???" but also trying to enjoy excitement and anticipation rather than letting things unravel into anxiety, which is my M.O.
My sympathies, this last year or so has been very stressful for me. Even the good things! (I don't like attention, I'm realising.) Take care <3 and happy to talk sometime if you'd like. Are you still doing the online meetings?
I’m not doing the online meetings right now because my health has been unreliable, but I am planning to bring them back (and have other newsletter things in the works) once my book is out in the world and things have settled a bit!!
I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough year. Hugs from afar, and I will email you!
understandable! It's been a wonderful year but also exhausting, you know? I feel like i have no energy for travel and socialising anymore. look forward to your email <3
I requested my library to order your book and they said they will when it releases, so excited for you.
Thank you Lilo!!
I feel this all so much, River. Similar arcs, similar hopes, similar disappointments, though of course with different life circumstances and challenges. (And, just to tell you you're also not alone in this, I decided to write my next book, too -- I have a proposal, and shopped it around after over a year of work on that monster, but I think when stories want to be born maybe sometimes we have to let them come out all squirmy and crying and figure out how to make them presentable afterward.)
Hotshot is preordered at my local bookstore! And also to tell you you're not alone -- my little group of science writer friends has two people who write about botany, and we've talked a lot about what it feels like to watch other books on your same subject come out at the same time. Consensus seems to be that if any one of the books does well (hopefully your own), it actually helps the others because people look for other books on the subject. Not that it makes it feel any better
Thank you so much for all of this, Antonia! I want to hear about your next book, if you ever want to share.
And I've been meaning to write about the relationship I now have with Kelly Ramsey, whose firefighting memoir is coming out soon. I reached out to her and we are friends now (even though I was told she was "competition"). The friendship is everything to me and will hopefully last far beyond our book debuts.
First of all, congratulations! You're a new author. That's amazing!
Second of all, Congratulations on that Kirkus Review! You're off to such a great start!
Third, i can't find the book on my Amazon. Will it only be available in North America?
Fourth (and fifth and nth), as you can imagine, i found much to relate to here. I am currently reading Amitava Kumar's Green Book, and he wrote about being nervous and bitter while waiting for his last novel to come out, so this period is terrible even for acclaimed, seasoned writers!
"My path took over six years, and I never would have imagined it taking that long." Yep, yep (nearly seven for me). I am now realising this is not as unusual as popular imagination would have you believe, especially for first books.
Anyway, wish you all the best in this very exciting and stressful time.
I've been thinking about this comment for weeks, and I'm so sorry it's taken me forever to respond! First of all, definitely bummed that my book doesn't seem to be available in India, especially because it's available in so many other countries. I would love to send you an electronic galley for now, and perhaps I can personally send a finished copy your way once it's released?
Second of all, yes. It is a REALLY hard time. Like, every day is different. I do seem to be getting better at it, but it's rough. I am very much in a place of "can the book just be out already???" but also trying to enjoy excitement and anticipation rather than letting things unravel into anxiety, which is my M.O.
Sure, send me at unmana at gmail?
My sympathies, this last year or so has been very stressful for me. Even the good things! (I don't like attention, I'm realising.) Take care <3 and happy to talk sometime if you'd like. Are you still doing the online meetings?
I’m not doing the online meetings right now because my health has been unreliable, but I am planning to bring them back (and have other newsletter things in the works) once my book is out in the world and things have settled a bit!!
I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough year. Hugs from afar, and I will email you!
understandable! It's been a wonderful year but also exhausting, you know? I feel like i have no energy for travel and socialising anymore. look forward to your email <3
Can't wait to read it!!
Thank you so much, Liz!! I can’t wait for it to be out in the world. ❣️
This is so wonderful. I’m so excited to read your memoir! Sounds like you’ve had a journey to get here and the rewards are well deserved. :)
Thank you so much!!
Pre-ordered on Audible. Hope this counts. 🤞🏻🫶🏻
It definitely counts, and I will be doing the narration!!!
Exciting 🤩 so glad it’s finally coming together.