Amaranth

[darinbradley]

About ten months ago, I sold my first novel, Amaranth to Juliet Ulman at Bantam/Spectra. I've mentioned the thing off and on since then, in the occasional blog-post, but really, things have been understandably quiet as I waited out the process. About four months ago, I handed in a second draft of the story, based on a conversation Juliet and I had

Comments

[selfavowedgeek]

RE: "Editors are not your enemies-at least, David and Juliet were not my enemies."

I'd hasten to add, Darin, that the relationship is mutually beneficial. Good editor(s) + good writer + good editing = good book. Plus, the win for readers.

Even with "Dirt Roads and Ka," when we bandied emails back and forth for a weekend, I was thinking, "Now, how can a screw this up? It's already tight." But you helped make it tighter.

And, dude, that's an awesome monitor you've got. Holla!

[darinbradley]

Indeed. It was a lot of fun. Now it's "our" book, not just mine.

You dig the screen? It's almost a necessity, with all the design I do-having the laptop's built-in monitor off on the side helps, too.

[ecmyers]

Geeze! You look so freaking organized. Where are the scattered pages, the scribbled notes, broken pencils, snack wrappers, and empty coffee mugs? At least have the decency to look a little disheveled!

[darinbradley]

Ha! You can see, over my left shoulder (in the second picture) a corner of my "writing" table.

It is, as they say, a pile.

[ecmyers]

That makes me feel a little better. You aren't just a soulless writing machine!

[darinbradley]

During the revise-a-thon, Juliet called me an "evil robot" b/c of the pace. Evil robots have to be sure to look very "put together."

[threeoranges_]

"let Rima (my first, best critic-when I can make her teary-eyed (via writing!)"

In the long term, I think this is better for your career and your marriage than making her teary-eyed via pepper spray.

[darinbradley]

Or via speaking.

[threeoranges_]

Rima doesn't let you speak? Maybe pepper spray is a good option after all ...

Anyway, congratulations on destroying the image of editors I've had in my head since I read Piers Anthony's "But What of Earth?" when I was 13.

[syrenatricksy]

Anyone who pepper-sprays Rima would have to fight me, too (and I'm about to join a militia, so it's really not best to fight with me ... !)!

Darin, I'm officially calling dibs on a super-special signed copy when the book is out (yes, I'll pay for it, but no, I'm not settling for a copy with just your signature. Me want more!)!

[silk_noir]

Very action-y!

And congratulations.

[darinbradley]

Yeah :) It's kinda hard to make writing look "intense," right?

Thanks! Each phase of progress seems to just bring impatience for the next.

[darinbradley]

Thanks very much!

Yes, it's handy for some to demonize editors when they're grasping for explanations as to why their work isn't selling/being published.

But in reality, editors are people . . . smart people. Bu-ut the truth can be bitter medicine, I realize.