This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
By Anna Bell
Last week I got the most exciting
post ever: I received a copy of my paperback from my publishers. As an aspiring
author, this was the stuff of dreams.
I’ve always imagined what it would be like to hold my very own book in my hands. It’s what has spurred me on from when I started sending my very first submission off to agents. And let me tell you, the moment was not a let down. I can honestly say it was one of the best moments of my life.
I’d been a bit like a child for the days before it arrived, as my editor’s assistant had told me she’d posted me out my copy. I’m currently in rural France and the post can be very hit and miss and I had visions that I’d have to wait for up to ten days to see the book appear. Every day when the post arrived I’d be sat looking down the hill at the post woman trying to see what she put in the post box, and then three days later I saw a package go in. I raced down the hill, which is no mean feat at almost nine months pregnant (imagine me waddling like a weeble in hiking boots), and saw the package with the Quercus franking on the front.
I couldn’t open it there and then as I was too nervous. Instead I had to come racing up to my husband to share the moment. Luckily I had two copies and after ripping the envelope apart I handed him one and kept one for myself. It looks amazing. It’s got that lovely embossing and slightly metallic hue to the letters which shine in the light. Not that I spent a good hour turning it in the light and stroking it or anything. I might have even sniffed the pages – yes I’m guilty of loving that fresh book smell.
Opening the book and seeing the dedication, the chapter headings in the twirly font and the page numbers at the bottom, it started to hit home that this was my book. And then, not because I’m nearly nine months pregnant, but because it was a magical moment, I cried. All that hard work. All those rejections. All those agonising phone calls and emails with my agent where I thought I was going to have to turn down the deal. All those moments that happened on the crazy journey to becoming a published author suddenly seemed worth it and faded away.
Now as we know, an author’s life isn’t always glamorous, and my wonderful moment was short lived as everyday life soon interrupted when my new oven blew up. Instead of going out to celebrate the paperback I spent the evening on the phone to a warranty line. Don’t worry, I celebrated with a meal out the night after.
I’m really glad that for what I’ve seen on Twitter and Facebook that every time an author gets a delivery of their new book, no matter how many they’ve written, it always is a special moment of pride. And I for one can’t wait to have my next book published next year so I can re-live the moment (although hopefully this time without the oven exploding).
Do any other authors want to share the moment they first held their book?