Wednesday 23 April 2008

Publication Palpitations

So its finally here, the eve of the official UK publication of THE ACCIDENTAL WIFE. Thursday 24th April 2008.

I've written about this before, but oh well - let's talk about it again. This part, the publication part is a bit like waiting for a boy to call you. Yes, its the nearest thing I can think of to being a teenager in love, once again. You know, when you're not sure if you are going to get that call you've been longing for to be asked out to the youth club disco by the boy from the year above, where you will both stand on opposite sides of the room until the slow dance at the end of night, where upon you will magnetically connect at the mouth and snog for three and half minutes without even coming up for air until 'Careless Whisper' is finished and you have to retreat to the opposite sides of the room again and ignore each other.

Okay - its not EXACTLY like that. But it is exciting, pulse thunderingly nerve wracking, stomach twistingly scary and also, some of the time, bewilderingly anticlimactic.

I think that that last part is because publication day is a bit like - and oh I am loving my metaphors here today - losing your virginity once a year. The deed is done, and you feel as if something about you should have changed. There should be fireworks, a certain look in you eye, perhaps a particular knowing wisdom should alight you. You should be able to walk down the street and have people point and stare and say 'Look - she's written a book, you can tell just by looking at her.'

But its not REALLY like that, either. It's really like sending your child off to school on their first day. (metaphor number three, I'm counting) You are full of hope and pride and you just pray you've done enough to help them hold their own in the big bad world.

Still, as emotionally turbulent as the whole process is, there isn't a single moment I don't thank my lucky stars that I have a 'publication day' at all. And really there is only one final eloquent, erudite, sophisticated phrase that can truly sum up how I am feeling. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!

23 comments:

Rachel Green said...

How super!

I'll have to try to get a copy for you to sign at the meet on Saturday!

Chris Stovell said...

Congratulations Rowan, very pleased for you and hoping that I will find out how it feels one day too.

Lucy Diamond said...

Congrats! Hope it storms up the bestseller list. Can't wait to read it x

CL Taylor said...

Yeahhhhhh! How exciting! Do you celebrate in some way or buy yourself a 'congrats' present? More importantly do other people buy you a congratulations present?

(I know the book itself should be enough of a present but I do like presents...)

Anyway. CONGRATULATIONS!! Really looking forward to meeting you this weekend. Will have to copy Leather and get you to sign a copy (assuming I can get a copy in WHSmith in Euston station?)

Rowan Coleman said...

I hope you can find a a copy there - or to be cost efficient its buy one get one free in Waterstones! The good news is that its already no 23 in the charts and its not out until tomorrow - it would be great to see it get a little bit higher. Keep you fingers crossed for me! I do buy myself a present but not because its publication day, just because I like presents too.

Marcie Steele said...

I got it in WhSmith's in Oxford Street on Monday Cal, so it should be in the station. Should have reserved you a copy at the station while I was there!

I'll be bringing it with me to get an autograph on Saturday too! Can't wait to meet you, Rowan. Best of luck tomorrow, let's shoot you up that chart! xx

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm a lurker, but had to come over and say Congratulations! That fabulous fluttery in the stomach feeling - I can't wait to feel it. Best!

Liane Spicer said...

Congrats, Rowan! You mean it's like that every time? How wonderful and scary and exciting!

My first time (!) is months off yet and to introduce yet another metaphor, it's like being pregnant and wondering if the baby will ever be born!

Lane Mathias said...

Congratulations Rowan!
So exciting. You deserve as many metaphors as you like:-)
Looking forward to reading it!

Rowan Coleman said...

thank you everyone - your warm wishes really are appreciated. Today am feeling like a bubbly glass of champagne - and that's not a metaphor - I just want one.

Rachel Green said...

It came free with The Accidental Mother for £6.99 in Waterstones :)

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Congratulations, how wonderful. I can't wait to read it.

Juliette M said...

Congratulations Rowan - I saw you on the shelf in Asda last night and ran over squeaking to The Man "oooh she's one of the novel racers!"

The Man continued pushing trolley in bemused fashion.

I am looking forward to reading it!

NoviceNovelist said...

Fantastic news Rowan - I'll be picking up my copy ASAP!

Hope you got that glass of bubbly!!

Helen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Happy publication day! You deserve it; this is part of what all your hard work is for. I will get a copy and read it. And I hope you're having a lovely frothy walking-on-air day.

(BTW previous comment was from me but had horrible typos so it had to go - sorry!)

Rowan Coleman said...

well its good to hear that its all out and about there - I did indeed have my glass of bubbly, it was most refreshing!

JaneyV said...

Rowan, Congrats and felicitations! Fab news. I hope it barrels up the best-sellers list and hits the top-spot with as much feeling as you put into your "ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!"

I'll put a little link about it in my next blog post!

JaneyV said...

Link to Big Plug here!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rowan, I left some messages for you in the comments box of your post over on the novel-racer-meet blog...

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

My 13 year old son has just bought me the Accidental Wife and the Accidental Mother from Waterstones in Newbury and I'm so happy that I now have the time to read them.
Will put a lovely photo of them on my blog tonight before they become dog eared and wine stained.

Liane Spicer said...

Just popped by to remind you that author/literary agent/writing coach Orna Ross will be stopping by my blog today and will answer (on Monday) any questions left in the comment trail. You're welcome to drop in!

Toodi said...

hi Rowan Coleman !!!! i am your number 1 bigest fan, i look everywhere for your books and found one name Ruby Parker, Soap Star, i already read Ruby Parker, Film Star, so i know a bit about the book i'm reading now. I feel so priveleged to have internet and be able to right to my Book Role Model !!!! i have looked for a role model and u number one on my list, i read books everyday and afrikaans books to improve my knowledge, always when i sit on my dads lap when he is reading me an afrikaans book, i think of you !!! i'm below aged 13 and i have always wished to get a pack of your other Ruby Parker books, but sadly i don't have money... I try to talk to u but don't know how, i read your books non-stop that i get late for school... lol,


GREAT DAY, LOVE ME !!!