tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post3694887493435740923..comments2023-12-11T11:36:37.489+00:00Comments on Macmillan New Writers: The Escalatormattfwcurran.com Web Admin http://www.blogger.com/profile/13651266491906006561noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-57050760161421977862008-02-15T20:46:00.000+00:002008-02-15T20:46:00.000+00:00I have another version of this conversation, which...I have another version of this conversation, which I’ve had quite few times over the past few months. It goes like this:<BR/><BR/>Me: I’m delighted to see you’re stocking my book. Would you like me to sign the copies you have in stock?<BR/><BR/>Bookshop person: (uncertainly – just in case I turn out to be Tolstoy or Doris Lessing) And you are ..<BR/><BR/>Me: L C Tyler<BR/><BR/>Bookshop person: (complete blank) And your book is ….?<BR/><BR/>Me: The Herring Seller’s Apprentice<BR/><BR/>Bookshop person: (still complete blank, but he is a kind man) Ah, yes, I think I’ve heard of that …. And it’s in which section ….?<BR/><BR/>Me: Crime. Do you want me to sign them?<BR/><BR/>Bookshop person: (face says: oh God, if you must) Yes, please. I take it you’ve got your own pen? <BR/><BR/>The bookshop person then sticks a nice big red “signed by author” sticker on the dust jacket and puts it back on the shelf, front cover facing outwards. Job done.<BR/><BR/>Strangely nobody ever asks me to prove who I am before I start scribbling in their books. Either bookshop managers are very trusting or impersonating a crime writer is not something people do that often.Len Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14998938558543525457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-32085083039004674032008-01-29T09:51:00.000+00:002008-01-29T09:51:00.000+00:00You and your bleedin' escalator, woman!You and your bleedin' escalator, woman!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00144414770507110557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-55976855024814022282008-01-25T23:21:00.000+00:002008-01-25T23:21:00.000+00:00I could do with a bouncy castle or two. So long as...I could do with a bouncy castle or two. So long as there weren't kids around to spoil it.David Isaakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-28266106089495192942008-01-24T20:22:00.000+00:002008-01-24T20:22:00.000+00:00I'm just jealous that you all get to go to parties...I'm just jealous that you all get to go to parties that don't involve bouncy castles and fights over who gets to blow out the candles!<BR/><BR/>BrianBrian McGillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17569349052013628187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-27551842372914442732008-01-24T19:17:00.000+00:002008-01-24T19:17:00.000+00:00Crikey, I think the people I meet at parties must ...Crikey, I think the people I meet at parties must be far more ruthless than the nice (if patronising) people you meet. Mine go straight for the jugular with 'Oh, so anything published yet?' Though,like yours, they clearly expect me to have been published by something like 'Hole in the Wall Publishers' or 'Neverheardofit Inc'.!! I must admit, it is nice to be able to say 'Macmillan', isn't it?<BR/><BR/>Does this make us bad people?Alishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406189984167289987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-58681251774632111852008-01-24T17:21:00.000+00:002008-01-24T17:21:00.000+00:00Tha's wonderful, Aliya! And, of course, you're mul...Tha's wonderful, Aliya! And, of course, you're multi-published, which gives you even more brag room.<BR/><BR/>Alas, that's not it it works for me, but, then, I'm Over Here, where most people can't name a single publisher much less one from the UK.<BR/><BR/>I tend to avoid the topic, because if I admit to being a published novelist, the next questions are one of these:<BR/><BR/>1) I've got a great idea for a novel--how about you write it and we split the money?<BR/><BR/>2) Wow--can you put me in touch with your agent?<BR/><BR/>3) That's great--any interest from Hollywood yet?<BR/><BR/>4) Omigod, that's <I>fantabulous</I>!!! Who did you get to ghost it?<BR/><BR/>5) So, how much do you have to pay for something like that?<BR/><BR/>6) A novel! Awesome! Is it fiction or nonfiction?<BR/><BR/>Doesn't mean I'm not pleased with myself every time I see the book on the shelf next to my desk, though...David Isaakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04928598446742324391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-6507754123134754022008-01-24T01:07:00.000+00:002008-01-24T01:07:00.000+00:00In India there is another step as you climb the Es...In India there is another step as you climb the Escalator. Published from UK? Your novel is displayed in bookshops in London? Oh, there is no greater feeling than being able to tell the world you are a published writer! I always remember what Mike told me when I first met him in Delhi and he handed me my pre-order copy of Across the Mystic Shore. "6 out of 3000 ms! The arithmetic should make you proud!" Its darn right easier to get hit by lightening!<BR/><BR/>SuroopaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-79608624207871342742008-01-23T19:51:00.000+00:002008-01-23T19:51:00.000+00:00Thanks all - Eliza, how lovely to be praised! Hope...Thanks all - Eliza, how lovely to be praised! Hope the book lives up to it...!nohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00398443646324855212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-73463699045678383712008-01-23T18:20:00.000+00:002008-01-23T18:20:00.000+00:00HAR! Aliya. I was nodding as I read.Will A. was pr...HAR! Aliya. I was nodding as I read.<BR/><BR/>Will A. was praising your second book when I met him for lunch. Can't wait.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-53445525015914417542008-01-23T17:03:00.000+00:002008-01-23T17:03:00.000+00:00I've had that conversation a few times as well! I...I've had that conversation a few times as well! I never know how to handle it without seeming like an egotistical maniac, which is silly, really. I adopt this almost apologetic tone when telling people that yes, I am published and yes, the book is available to buy.<BR/><BR/>FLBFaye L. Boothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447690238037575209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-58395574115942581272008-01-23T16:55:00.000+00:002008-01-23T16:55:00.000+00:00Oh boy, have I got some fun coming up! Thanks, Al...Oh boy, have I got some fun coming up! Thanks, Aliya!Tim Strettonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08598897603628943741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-13208473041340116422008-01-23T16:42:00.000+00:002008-01-23T16:42:00.000+00:00Great post AliyaSounds like I've met the very same...Great post Aliya<BR/><BR/>Sounds like I've met the very same person at a few dinner parties and gatherings recently...<BR/><BR/>The only thing that has been better than "the Escalator" is when you talk to someone - either in person or on the web - who's being snotty about Macmillan New Writing. After talking cold facts i.e. print runs, sales and rights sales, and of course being on the shelves in Waterstone’s, they suddenly go a bit quiet and try to change the subject. <BR/>Done that a couple of times (mentioning no names) and it's wonderful to shut them up. But then most of these negative reactions were fired up by a number of misguided critics a couple of years ago. Thankfully, such misconceptions have died out with the success of the imprint, accompanied by the distant munching of humble pies.<BR/><BR/>Being published is a massive achievement and worth shouting about. Even when the audience is only a few feet away or travelling alongside you, up those revolving metal steps.mattfwcurran.com Web Admin https://www.blogger.com/profile/13651266491906006561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5642795057392908919.post-19075200796124200152008-01-23T16:07:00.000+00:002008-01-23T16:07:00.000+00:00Oh that is hilarious. And wonderful. It rather p...Oh that is hilarious. And wonderful. It rather parallels my experiences when I went back to work after producing five kids. The shock on the face of a former neighbour who had written me off as a mindless housewife with a weird religion when she discovered that I had a job that was at least the equal of hers in terms of educational requirements and social prestige was simply priceless.<BR/><BR/>It's nice to hear writers talking about the positive aspects sometimes. Things have been a little dreary in the blogosphere on that count lately.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600030574995481267noreply@blogger.com