Writers' roll call?

xiaotien · Post by **xiaotien** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 12:23 am

[quote=""Volgadon""]Tommorow would be just fine for me. =)) Honestly, I'd be happy to be published, at whatever age.[/quote]

so go for it! =)

michellemoran · Post by **michellemoran** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 12:58 am

Yes, Volgadon, go for it! I published my first novel at 21 through Bertelsmann, which is the German the company that owns Random House. It's not a matter of age, just commitment and dedication to learning the craft.

cw gortner · Post by **cw gortner** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 4:34 am

Great thread

! I've found some new books to read!

I've been writing seriously - or at least, trying to - since I was 19. I've written four novels to date, three of which are published. My first one, a suspense novel set in Tudor England titled THE SECRET LION, was independently published after I spent 13 years (and had 4 different agents) seeking a large commercial publisher.

My second novel, THE LAST QUEEN, was also independently published; about 6 months after its release, my current agent found me, took me under her wing, and sold THE LAST QUEEN and my next book, THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI, to Random House, Ballantine Books, via auction.

THE LAST QUEEN was published in hardcover in July 2008; the trade paperback comes out in July 2009. THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI has a very tentative pub date of December 2009.

I'm currently working a novel set in 15th century Italy.

I'm 44. My first novel (the unpublished one) took 2 years to write; it's taken me exactly 22 years to finally get a commercial publishing contract.

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 5:21 am

[quote=""michellemoran""]Yes, Volgadon, go for it! I published my first novel at 21 through Bertelsmann, which is the German the company that owns Random House. It's not a matter of age, just commitment and dedication to learning the craft.[/quote]

Interesting! What's the title of that novel?

I wrote a YA (nonhistorical) novel when I was about that age. It dealt with censorship of a high school newspaper. An editor actually showed some interest, but by the time I'd revised it, he had moved elsewhere and YA books had become a lot edgier, with more emphasis on sexual situations and issues like eating disorders, substance abuse, and the like. Sometimes I'm tempted to dig it out again, update it so the kids have cell phones and laptops, and see what would happen with it. If nothing else, looking at all those typewritten pages larded with White-Out would give me an immense appreciation for my computer!

Alaric · Post by **Alaric** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 9:23 am

[quote=""EC2""]Alaric and Volgadon,

How old are you expecting to be when you seriously write for publication? Do you have an age in mind? I'm curious.[/quote]

I probably won't make a serious attempt - as in, four or five hard edits of a completed manuscript that could be sent to an agent/publisher - until I'm done with my PHD. I just can't see me having the spare time to do that, which is the size of a novel in itself (80-100,000 words), and do a manuscript at the same time. I'll probably wait a few years when I've got a steady income and do the writing in my own time, then make a go of it, so that should be sometime in my late 20s or early 30s.

michellemoran · Post by **michellemoran** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 5:01 pm

Interesting! What's the title of that novel?

It's Die Phönizierin, or Jezebel, about the historical queen who ruled (and quite well) with Ahab, King of Israel.

Sometimes I'm tempted to dig it out again, update it so the kids have cell phones and laptops, and see what would happen with it.

Absolutely, you should dig it out! Especially having gotten so close once before! Isn't it frustrating when people leave their jobs in publishing?! There's so much turn-over.

michellemoran · Post by **michellemoran** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 5:03 pm

Alaric: I'll probably wait a few years when I've got a steady income and do the writing in my own time, then make a go of it, so that should be sometime in my late 20s or early 30s.

That's probably a smart idea!

xiaotien · Post by **xiaotien** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 5:07 pm

cw--i have your last queen book!

i saw an interview on julianne d's site
and put it on my wishlist--and got it as
a present for my birthday in august! =D

it's in my TBR pile and i'm really looking
forward to it. haven't had as much time
to read for leisure, as i've been deep in edits
with my editor for my debut. loved reading
about your tenacity and all your books that
have come out, will come out.

very inspiring.

and michelle, wow! a book in germany at
21? that's so impressive. i never ever considered
writing as anything "serious", because my
family never takes it seriously. even now, i don't
think they fully understand what it means that
my book is coming out?

thanks for all the great responses, everyone!

michellemoran · Post by **michellemoran** » Tue October 14th, 2008, 10:09 pm

even now, i don't think they fully understand what it means that
my book is coming out?

I understand! My father, who passed away suddenly just before Nefertiti was purchased, would have completely understood the meaning behind getting a book published in English (not German!). For the rest of my family, it's a wonderful accomplishment that comes with a great deal of hand-patting and expressions like, "Very good dear... now pass the peas!" Keeps it humble!

They do find it thrilling, however, when they can call up and say, "I saw your book on the front table of B&N". I don't have the heart to tell them that's called coop, which is a privilege publishers have to buy and usually only lasts a month!!!

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Wed October 15th, 2008, 5:27 am

I have been to http://www.HistoricalNovels.info and it's very impressive. I will post it to all my groups and add a link on my blog too if that's OK

So glad you're enjoying the site, Anita! I'll be delighted for you to post it to your groups and add a link on your blog - the more the merrier.