Monday, May 12, 2014

Envy and Hope


So last week on my Monday, Thursday blog schedule I blogged on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I will try to get better at this schedule thing...
The Green-Eyed Monster is Mopey, but not angry


I have some amazing friends... not mere acquaintances, but people I've been friends with for YEARS that are having some amazing things happening right now. I want to share that news with you... and I also want to talk a bit about the emotional repercussions of our friends finding not just publishing, but HUGE successes. Three of these are ABNA friends—people I met in the first year I was in the contest in 2010, but let me start with the 4th case, since she is part of this blogging community.


Sarah Ahiers and the Freaking Agents COMPETING FOR HER

This is oldish news. Sarah's blog on the matter is from late January, but it totally fits the theme here, so bear with me.

You hear of this happening. A book so awesome that you don't just get one nibble, but several large BITES. But it doesn't happen OFTEN. It's certainly never happened to ME... and it happened to Sarah... her book was SO AWESOME that agents were competing to work with her.

I wish here an AMAZING giant congratulations... even if I'm a bit envious.

[note to self: one who fails to query will not have this happen. It is RARE if you query. It is IMPOSSIBLE if you don't]


Janet Oakley and Awards and Agent Requests

Janet writes historical fiction which has a smaller readership than some other sorts. She had some trouble traditionally, so she's self-published two books, Tree Soldier and Timber Rose. The first has won several awards and the latter WILL, once it's been out more than a couple weeks, so clearly Janet is doing well. And then this week she has gotten a request for a full based on a Twitter Pitch contest (who even knew they HAD these?] for another book—one set in WWII.

So HUGE congratulations for Janet for past and future success.

[Note to self: if you aren't paying attention, the opportunities are going to pass you by.]


Patrick Frievald and his Bram Stoker Nomination

Patrick writes horror, which makes me jealous already. I would LOVE to be able to write horror, but I seem to lack the imagination. He's had some great successes in publishing but the BIGGIE is that he was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for 2013: Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel (for Special Dead). I can't find who won, but I assume I would have heard if it was Patrick. STILL, you should SEE the names on this list—he is in AMAZING company... MADE IT kind of company.  CONGRATS Patrick!!!

AHA!  HERE are the winners!


And finally...

My Buddy Gae FREAKING Polisner got a Freaking NEW YORK TIMES Book Review!!!! (a really good one)

Gae's first book was quietly a raging success... and by raging success, I mean she sold movie rights and had teachers all over the country using it in their classrooms—a literary middle grade/YA straddler (14 year old MC). But the Summer of Letting Go seems to not want to make such a quiet appearance (yeah, we should ALL be so quiet as to sell movie rights)


So Hart... How do you FEEL about all this?
(yes, I talk to myself, doesn't everybody?)

A bit weepy with pride. Seriously, tears shed with joy and pride for my friends.
And jealous, a bit.
But mostly HOPEFUL... See, I knew ALL these guys before they MADE IT... that sort of means all of US might make it TOO, right?

So chins up, friends... WE WILL!

15 comments:

Jan Morrison said...

oh tartlette, I know of those soaring upsy downsy feelings. One of my closest friends is up for a huge award here in Canada. It is for a published book of poetry and she has made it to a short-list of three! It is a huge lump of money and more importantly it means she has arrived at the pinnacle of her career. I'm over the moon happy for her and I harbor envy in my heart. Yes indeedy! Not for the award but just a piece of something meaning I'm moving in the right direction. But I know that her success doesn't take away one iota of my possibilities. That is just my whiny kid talking. So back to work I go! See you at the water cooler.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Wow--rampant talent around here! Congrats to everyone on their successes...cool to hear about.

Hopeful is a good way to handle it, for sure!

gae polisner said...

Oh, hah. I know this feeling well... the mix of envy and joy and admiration and longing, etc. The NYT is a way cool thing (pinch me) but raging success?! No one would call either of my books that. Not yet, anyway. And the whole movie thing? A few hundred bucks have come my way, and probably nothing will happen going forward. It's all glitz and glam for the social networking cameras, but I always feel like I'm home alone on this green publishing planet waving my arms frantically in the air. "See me! Read me! Buy me!" Alas. Carry on, Tami. <3 xoxox gae

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

We're only human! No worries. :)

I like how you learned lessons from a number of those scenarios, especially that nothing will happen if you don't query at all.

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

Sarah Ahiers said...

Aww! Thanks so much for the shout out!

And i know 100% how you feel. I've definitely had my moment when i'm so so happy for friends, but also can't help thinking, why not me too?

I think being almost there is the hardest place to be. Because good things are happening, but you're still not quite hitting your goals. But the good thing about almost there is it's just a matter of time.

Old Kitty said...

Of course you will!!! You are and you will!! You are the most NAKEDest afterall! Yay!

Huge congrats to these amazing writers too! Take care
x

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I love Sarah. I visit her blog and exchange emails all the time. She's worked so hard and success did NOT come easy for that one.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I remember when Sarah announced that. All of those authors give others hope.

Tina said...

Wow, all of that gives peons like me hope! Thanks for sharing. Amazing accomplishments by all your friends, and big congrats to them.

Tina @ Life is Good
On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!

Cie Cheesemeister said...

I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm never going to "make it," and I'd be okay with that except for the realization that I'll always be broke and struggling!
I'm visiting from the Insecure Writer's Group list. My Insecure Writer Whinge is at The Cheese Whines.

Helena said...

I know just what you mean by a mix of hope and envy. I'm so glad for these friends of yours, and in a selfish way I want their successes to be so big the good vibes spill over (I have no idea how) into my life and onto my books. But of course they'll spill over onto you first, Hart, 'cause you're such a source of inspiration and support for us all.

Trisha said...

Well, does it help that I'm envious of you for having your books out there already? :P I admire you for that, and wish to be like you sometime in the future! :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Hart - thanks for the visit .. and yes wouldn't it be wonderful to have jumped some of these hurdles and bask in the glamour ... and as Trisha says .. you have your books out there ...

Good luck to us all along our path of publication .. cheers and it will happen ... in due time .. and perhaps having had to pay more dues - sad, but true I suspect! Happy writing days ahead .. Hilary

Unknown said...

I'm beyond glad I'm not the only one with scheduling issues...though I am a LOT worse than you! : )

Arlee Bird said...

Good friends are a blessing and good for you for being a blessing to yours. Yes, there is always hope. Never give up what you love!

Lee
Tossing It Out