Things Are Moving Again

The publisher just informed me the review galleys had gone out, and also a new print run had been completed. I haven't seen the new books yet. I hope the print quality is good this time and we can move on.

Whew!

That's exactly why we need at least a few months for pre-release activities. Even the best-oiled machine sometimes cracks. If everything is a go, now it's the time for me to sit back, relax, and think about marketing and promotions.

I just talked to Brentano's Books in Beverly Hills about a possible signing. The event manager was very helpful and she seemed impressed when she pulled the information of my book off their database (yes, it's in there, and it's categorized as CALIFORNIA NOVEL -- how cool is that?). She said they had a hand-sell program that has been very successful in pushing specific authors, and they were partial to up-and-coming, ethnic ones. So she was definitely intrigued by the premise of the story (the cultural themes, etc.) and the fact that I was a minority.

I was apprehensive when I first approached the book stores. It was the first time I actually had to recite my pitch! I just wasn't that good of a salesman. But the experience with Brentano's was very positive and gave me some confidence.

I can do this.

Advance

Ooh, the check for the advance is in the mail. I'm getting paid! So officially, I'm now a professional novelist. *laugh*