A Peek Inside a Debut Inbox
I’m almost three months out from publication. What kind of emails pop up in my inbox? What are my publicist, editor, and agent talking about? I’m giving you a sneak peek to find out!
Week 1
Silence. Yes, for quite some time, things have been quiet. Given the flurry of upcoming emails, I know things were happening behind the scenes though.
Week 2
Mystery Correspondent: Signing *things* for…*someone.* I hope to release details of this soon, but I had a really cool opportunity to sign a certain number of things, and it was time to send them back! I’ve never worked with a courier before, so it was a new experience. The email sender coordinated everything on the back end, and I only needed the box to be available on the given day. It was actually very cool since I expected an inconvenient trip to the post office. Tip for next time: keep the box. I did not realize I was meant to and scrounged for another of similar size (thanks, neighbor!) and printed a shipping label. Through all this communication, I got to know an assistant pretty well, and let me just say some pretty fabulous people work in publishing.
US publicist: She emailed confirming my first speaking event at YA Midwest. As someone born and raised in the Midwest who had an incredible time at YallFest two years ago, I have been all over YA Midwest since I heard about it and couldn’t believe when my publicist said I’d been invited to attend. Even more amazing: Karen McManus will be there!?!? And Neal Shusterman??? I will have to practice acting cool…or competent. Okay, I’ll settle for conscious. What an amazing way to spend my birthday!
Register here and get Karen McManus’ new book with the ticket!
More US publicist: She is hard-working! She sent me an invitation for another event, this time virtual, though the timing is a little more difficult given the school year starts one week after my launch.
THREE libraries: They contacted me for events. One is my local library who got an ARC and I see on a weekly basis since my daughter is a book gremlin who only takes her suggestions and ignores the ones I helpfully offer from my classroom library. I digress.
Two of the libraries offered to pay, and it didn’t really occur to me this was something I should anticipate. People pay? For me? But I work in education and we usually only get stipends that equate to pennies per hour. One request was from a former student, which was extra special. I had her in one of my first years of teaching and now I have her youngest sister.
UK publicist: I was invited to digital welcome event, but with the time change, I’d have to take off work at a rough time of year (only about twenty days left until summer!). However, I was reassured materials will be shared with me after the event.
US editor: after turning in Book 2 draft (Gulp. Editor, if you’re reading this, please know I’m sorry), my editor tossed around a few more title options for the book. None are sticking yet, and it’s not certain when Book 2 will publish, but I’m excited to share more about it in the future!
…And that brings us to the end of week 2! Which also means…
Week 3
More silence.
It really comes and goes in waves.
Week 4
I received lodging confirmation for YA Midwest, and if that wasn’t exciting enough, my publicist threw in a maybe, possible lead on a super exciting thing that may or may not happen and I won’t know for months which one it is. Fingers crossed for me!
