Duck! Incoming Wrench!

© Marta Stephens 2009 all rights reserved

Is it me, or do people have major misconception about writers?

Three things immediately come to mind; 1) if one is published, he or she is rolling in cash (did I miss the memo?), 2) since he or she is rolling in dough, they can afford to give away all their books (no comment), and 3) once a person manages to finish writing a book and get it published, it’s smooth sailing from there on and he/she will live happily ever after.

The only explanation I find for these false impressions is that everyone outside the author’s immediate family and circle of friends see nothing more than the end result—the pretty book covers, the book signings, rave reviews, and the recognitions acquired along the way—not the hurdles.

I can say safely say with absolute certainty that an author’s life is more like a roller coaster ride in a car missing a couple of nuts and bolts than a walk along a perfect stretch of the beach. It gets crazy frustrating and difficult more times than not. Just when you think you’re in the know, you’re not. And when you think you have it made, you don’t. My only defense over the years has been to adopt the attitude of writing what I love without expectations. I’m sometimes mildly surprised when things go my way, but rarely disappointed. So where am I going with all of this? Sit back and let me tell you about the events of the past three months that have led me to write this post.

Around the end of May 2009, I learned that my second book, “The Devil Can Wait” won a bronze at the 2009 Independent Publishers Award (IPPY), I was amazed—always optimistic, but never expected to place, let alone win (see, no expectations—big surprise). After struggling for months with major writer's block, news of this award was just the shot in the arm I needed to get the book done. However, a week later, I received news my publisher was leaving the firm—the person who believed in me and my work. I won’t dwell on it here--now, but if you missed the post, you can read about it here. At any rate, she and I had a great working relationship so shock and disappointment doesn’t even begin to explain how I felt about the news (okay, this was one of those rare moments—caused me to do some major soul searching.)

So while I tried to wrap my brain around the good, the bad, and the really ugly about all of this, there was still the matter of my bronze medal. It was supposed to have been mailed to me by the organizers of the event who were located one state away, but I hadn't seen it yet. Weeks passed by the time I remembered to look up and ask where it was. It seems my shiny IPPY had taken a world tour without me.

Here's my story and I’m sticking to it!

I’ve never won anything of any value in my life (hubby doesn’t count) so having my second book named as one of the winners of the IPPY was well … shucks, kind of big for me. The competition—over 3,300 entries in 65 categories. The mystery/suspense thriller category alone had 120 entries. Now, I’d read the announcement and my name posted on the 2009 Independent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY) site, but without tangible proof, it didn’t feel real. At last, it arrived two days ago. As you can see from my IPPY's travel itinerary it’s been all over the place:

1) Presentations made in NYC at the Book Expo on May 29, 2009. I couldn't make it.

2) Following week contacted promoters -- the medal, a certificate, and seals were mailed two days before. Never arrived.

3) A week later, I contacted promoters again. Response: Oops, mailed package to the UK to my publisher who, at the time, lived in German (very confusing, I know).

4) Received word that it arrived in the UK and was on its way to Germany.

5) A couple of weeks after that, my publisher wrote to say she received it and would mail it to me ASAP. She sent me this photo to assure me it was real. :)

So ... 60 days later, 5 locations; New York, Michigan, UK, Germany, and Indiana, 3 countries; US, UK, Germany and back to the US, at the cost of around $15-$18 per mailing (not cheap shipping overseas), the package arrived at my doorstep on, July 27, 2009. :) Oh joy. I was beginning to think it was all a very cruel joke. LOL

In the meantime, I’ve had time to concentrate on my writing. The first draft of the next Sam Harper book (gads, no title yet) was completed in 2005 and is in need of some serious editing. I’ll get to it in a few weeks, but I’ve also begun to write a new character of Rhonie Lude, PI. I’ve had this story in mind for a couple of years. Once I started to work on it though, it flew—came out of nowhere so I’m thinking it’s meant to be. First draft completed in 39 days. Yay!

Oh yeah, one more thing I forgot to mention. In the middle of all this mess, my computer crashed. I have a brand new lap top now and I’m loving it!

So you see, in spite, or maybe as a result of, all the ups and downs, good things did manager to come my way. I'm holding the IPPY in my hand, I've completed the first drafts to two novels, and I have a new computer. What more could a girl want?

The thing is, if there’s a wrench in your future, you can bet life will hit you over the head with it, but the sting will linger only if you let it. No matter what though, don’t despair, don’t toss in the towel at the first sign of a set back. You just never know what tomorrow will bring.

For more about this visit:
http://mstephens-musings.blogspot.com/2009/07/devil-can-wait-in-more-ways-than-one.html

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Marta Stephens writes crime mystery/suspense. Her books are available online at familiar shops such as all the Amazons, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-a-Million, and Powells. Other locations include, but are not limited to those listed on her website.

THE DEVIL CAN WAIT (2008)
Bronze Medal Finalist, 2009 IPPY Awards
Top Ten, 2008 Preditors and Editors Reader Poll (mystery)

SILENCED CRY (2007) Honorable Mention, 2008 New York Book Festival
Top Ten, 2007 Preditors and Editors Reader Poll (mystery)

Visit Sam Harper at http://www.samharpercrimescene.blogspot.com