Thursday, January 5, 2012

The Day After, Part Two

Actually the title for this blog should be, "How Amazon Ruined My Launch Day And Turned It Into A Brilliant Day", but that's a too long title and would mess up twitter.
My launch day was supposed to be January 17.
Great things were planned by the publisher, and my plans included a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, just for me. And, well, virtually for the publisher.


What a weird day yesterday was.
It should have been a normal, lazy Christmas break day, but it wasn't.
After getting out of bed, brushing my teeth and making coffee I turned on my computer to see this on my Facebook wall:


"YAY! Amazon just mailed me to say Mariam's book "The Distant Shore" has been shipped!"


My coffee nearly dripped straight from my open mouth onto my much beloved MacBook.
For a moment I was totally disoriented, I even thought I'd slept for fourteen days, but I thought that only for less than a second. Not even I can sleep that long. Thirteen hours, yes, but fourteen days? Nope.
So I scuttled over to Amazon, to my page, to see this:














THE BLOODY THING HAD SOLD OUT EVEN BEFORE IT HAD BEEN PROPERLY LAUNCHED!


It had jumped, within a few hours, from a rank 1.500.000-and-something into the national Amazon bestseller list!
Of course it didn't stay there. Sold out. Sold out books don't stay at the top for long, and Amazon lists fluctuate all the time.
Publisher worked very fast, and within 24 hours "Distant Shore" was back in stock, and it's merrily selling.


But.
Yes, there is a but, even though it really means nothing in the grand theme of life.
I sat here, crying "YAY MY BOOK LAUNCHED!" across the internet universe, but it was just that: it had launched because Amazon did not stick to the official release date, not because there was the big launch party, or the twitter celebration I wanted, or... my bottle of Veuve. I don't even have a copy of my own book yet because the mail is taking so long!
It was a bit like lighting a match when you expect fireworks. Just like that.


Publisher asked me if I was happy, because they were, after recovering from the initial shock, and after some thought, I replied, "I guess so. Actually, more stumped than happy. Kind of."
There was a pause at the other end. Then, asked in a quiet, soft voice, "Stumped?"
"Well, yes!" I said, "It's sort of... hm. Over before it ever started. Feels weird. No momentum, like."
Again, there was a pause.
"Ok," publisher went on, "So this box with your author's copies that hasn't arrived yet. There's something else in it. It's a surprise."
And goes on to tell me that they wanted me to have the contract for book 2 and 3 BEFORE "Distant Shore" was launched, to show me how much they believed in me, and that they are convinced I'll write one bestseller after the other.


MOI???


Yes, I was told, that's what they believed, and that's what they wanted.
So... I said of course I'd sign! They were happy, and I was happy, too.
I mean, REALLY happy. Danced all over twitter with the news!
Because I believe most writers have one good book in them, but it's not sure if there's a second, or a third, or even less, more than that.
But, "Yes," publisher tells me, "You do. You can. You will!"


Am I living a dream, or what? Did I go to sleep sometime two years ago, and I'm dreaming all this?
I think I am.
But then again, I never want to wake up. Ever.
And I hope this friendly, funny and bright publisher person will always be around in this dream.








.

23 comments:

  1. Exciting to sway the least..GOD love ya. I sure do.
    .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post & great news, Mariam - i'm following a rising star!
    Hugs, Hemmie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is fantastic news! Even if the launch happened a little later, it's still great news. I am so proud and thrilled for you! You deserve every success. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What exciting news! Go on, pop that champagne and enjoy, Mariam! Well done, dear, well done :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hip hip hooray! Uncork the champagne and I'll toast you with a cup of tea this end! Much love and congrats! xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Champagne for all indeed! Thank you, darlings! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so happy for you, Mariam! Wonderful news!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats! Sorry it didn't go the way that you thought it would but at least you got good news at the end.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is so great. A toast to you and your marvellous stories!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so thrilled for you what a fantastic achievment. I have had mine rejected twice but I am not very good:) Pop that cork and go girl.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm still waiting for my author's copies. Sigh. Thank you, everyone, for sharing this little celebration with me! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dream it up baby, this one's for you! So on the 17th, you'll dress up, have a lovely dinner out, come home to some bubbly and toast your dream come true. Salut!

    ReplyDelete
  13. And this bright, rising star is coming to visit MOI this summer. Well, she's really coming to see Neil Diamond, but she will stay with me. :-D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ginny, you know that's NOT true. HE came to see my here in Hamburg last year, I don't have to travel that far to see Neil. I'm traveling because of YOU! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm new here and thus a little late, but oh my gosh how exciting! Congratulations on the book that just dropped and your contract!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really excited about you reviewing "Distant Shore". Can't wait!!! Thank you so much! xo

      Delete
  16. Congrats! to you! So happy for you. How exciting. The Poetry Diner loves you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats!!!!! WOW! Im happy for you! And the contract is amazing. God is good. The Poetry Diner is happy for you! Keep shining!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! It's really a thrill, and I'm very happy with my publisher, too. :)

      Delete
  18. Wow, what a lovely way to have your launch ruined ! :D

    ReplyDelete