So it's Anything Goes week here at the cafe and since it's my turn to blog I was trying to think of some interesting topic to discuss--but the truth is, I got nothing.
This whole week, well, actually starting from last Tuesday when EVERMORE was released has amounted to one, giddy, fog.
The day after its release I got news from my publisher that EVERMORE went into another printing and that I might actually have a shot at the New York Times bestseller list. To say I was shocked, is putting it mildly, I could hardly believe it. I could barely breathe!! But being my usual jinx-fearing self, I tried not to get too over excited. You know, in case it might all fall apart, or turn into some big cosmic joke with me as the butt.
During the course of the week I learned that it had sold out in B&N, Borders, and Wal-Mart and had gone back to print a total of three times. So with each passing day, my fingers were crossed tighter and tighter, and when it seemed as though a TV option we'd been negotiating for the last three months was nearing a conclusion, I spent the better part of my time glued to my computer, phone by my side, obsessively checking for updates
And so, in the tradition of watched pots never boiling, it wasn't until I was forced to leave the house for a long ago scheduled dentist appointment that I heard from my agent, telling me we'd come to an agreement and Spring Creek Productions and Warner Horizon had optioned EVERMORE along with the rest of the IMMORTALS books for a TV series!!! And then, I was actually in the dentist's chair, mouth full of instruments, when my editor called with the news that I'd made the NYT children's paperback list (for the week of 2/22), debuting at #3! And yes, I answered the call!! (My hygienist is a kind and patient woman!)
And when I finally got home, I saw that I'd made #84 on the USA Today bestseller list too.
And then I spent the next several hours sharing the news and trying not to hyperventilate while drinking champagne! It was truly a magical day, and the funny/ironic/weird thing is it happened exactly 5 years and 1 week from the day when I first got "The Call" that I'd sold my first book deal. That time, I was returning a rental car!
So, tell me, what do you do when good news is brewing? Do you shout it from the roof tops? Or are you jinx-fearing like me, afraid to count your chickens before they hatch??
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32 comments:
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! :)
Second, to answer your question, I'm jinx-fearing, too. It started way back when I was a student, and my mom would ask what grade I got on a test. Invariably, if I said "A," it would turn out I'd actually failed the thing. So I learned to always say, "Not sure!" in response to her question, and from then on I got straight As. Well... something like that. ;)
Again, congrats. That's such fantastic news!
YAY!!!!! HOOORAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!
Congratulations, Alyson! Doing a happy dance for you!
So cool!!!!!! And well-deserved!
I'm like you about good news. Experience has taught me that no matter how much I would love to shout it from the roof tops, I like to keep my good news close to the chest until it's "official."
Hey Irene and Gerb- Glad to know I'm in good company! My husband says the jinx is all in my head--and while he's probably right, I can't take the chance that he's wrong!!
AWESOME news, Alyson, I'm so thrilled for you.
I'm a bit like you too, I won't tell anyone (other than those REALLY close) anything until I know for certain.... in case I jinx it and end up feeling like a fool, as well as being really upset!
You still must be in some state of shock. :)
I keep new to myself until it's totally certain. I'm waaaay to afraid to spill and then have it fall through.
Once again, I'm soooo happy for you, Alyson!
I'm like you.. I have to keep it to myself or at least I try to until I can't take it anymore.. Then, I tell everyone. :)
Sara, Jessica, Keri-- I'm noticing a trend here . . .
Three words. Magic. Eight. Ball.
I still haven't going my hands on Evermore, but as soon as I do I'm sure I'll read the entire thing in one sitting.
Answer: When ever I tend to keep my happiness to myself until I'm completely alone...that's when the Paramore/No Doubt CD(s) come out of their cases, which is following by a lot of jumping, singing, and headbanging.
I'm a from-the-rooftops kinda gal...and I was wondering when you were going to announce your good news here! WOOT! WOOT!
JT- you called it! I think you have a promising future as a psychic--a very good gift to fall back on!!
Lauren- Somehow I knew that about you--you're just fearless my dear!!
First, YAY!!!!
Second: I'm paranoid about sharing news, too. The problem with this is, as you know, things in publishing and whatnot can take so long that by the time you can tell, you're kind of over the excitement. So, for me, it feels anticlimactic and it can become, "Oh yeah, that." I wish it could be safe AND exciting!
Alyson, I'm just sooooooo happy for you!!! As far as good news goes, I'm a definite jinx girl. I didn't tell anyone but my closest friends when I first sold a book because I was so scared it was all some elaborate joke (obviously agents and editors are so underworked that they have time to do these sort of things on poor unsuspecting authors!!!!)
Alyson, again, congrats, congrats, CONGRATS!!!! I'm so happy all your hard word is paying off!!!
Sara- Safe AND exciting-now there's an idea!
Amanda- Me too!! I told my husband, the Avis car rental attendant, and then hesitated about calling my mom just in case it was a joke!
Kelly- Thanks so much!!
Yay! Congratulations! That is *so* exciting!
I’m generally a “shout it from the rooftops” type person, but when it comes to publishing, I’m too scared . . . so I mention things “in passing” and I always follow my news with “hopefully everything will work out” and “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
Of course, the pre-order link for One Wish is live on Amazon today, so I *fully* intend on doing some serious shouting in the next few minutes. . . . :)
I guess it depends on the kind of news. . . . :)
Congrats!
I tend to keep quiet when I think something good might happen because I don't want to be too excited if it doesn't and I because I have trouble talking about myself.
Leigh, me too! I'm constantly saying "We'll see!"
Liviania- Yeah, I hate the thought of saying, "remember all that good news I told you about? Well, never mind . . ."
Congratz! =)
I chew on my jade. It's a bad habit, really. And I tell everyone I failed. Because if I tell someone I did good, I find out that I didn't. I scream phailure at life (yes, with ph) if it turns out well.
Lalaland--That's the most creative one yet--I just might try that!
I am SOOOO happy for you, Alyson. And to think, I actually KNOW you! :)
Okay, I used to be a shout it from the rooftops the moment it happened type, but I did get jinxed once so I tend to be a little more reserved now. The common factor in both huge let-downs was a celebratory meal at a Japanese restaurant. Now my entire family won't eat there, just in case.
Wendy-I knew it-- Jinx is real--it's not just in my head!!
How exciting!!
It's true - you have to be somewhere mundane for a good call to come. I was in the middle of a crowded Target with both kids hanging off the shopping cart when my agent called with the book deal. I think she was underwhelmed with my reaction until I got home, called her back and burst into tears.
Cynjay- LOVE it!! It's so true--you have to be distracted, busy, and maybe even a tiny bit frustrated--that's the key!!
Yay for you Alyson!
And I'm like you. I usually keep to myself most of the time! I wait until a long period of time has passed then finally spill my guts. But by then, it's really no big deal. Bad habit, really. My friends all hate it haha.
Congratulations Alyson! :)
I'm more of a do a silent dance type of person lol. Then if it actually happens I shout it from the rooftops! ;)
Hey Ana- My friends all hate it too!!
Hey Brooke- Oh yeah, I have a little silent dance too-it's not pretty, but it makes me happy!
Congrats!!!!
So happy for you
Thanks, YAbooknerd!!
:-D
I'm usually quiet. My mom had this habit of, if she knew there might be good news and then it didn't happen, she'd say to me, "I'm sorry you didn't make it." (The team, the newspaper story, the whatever...). It made me feel really inadequate and I didn't want anyone to say that to me anymore. So I keep it in, just in case it doesn't happen.
BUT YAY FOR YOU!!! It happened! Wooohooo!
Thanks, Melissa! I know how you feel, if my friends mention possible good news that hasn't actually happened yet--I say YAY and then don't mention it again until they do-in case it falls through!
Of course I have to congratulate you again!
And personally, I'm jinx fearing. Though I always end up blurting the news to a couple people, namely my fiance, mom, best friend, and if it is writing related, usually a couple writing bffs too.
Stephanie- You are a brave woman! I tell only my husband, then swear him to secrecy!
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