Confessions of an Accidental Writer

Antony John's Blog

A haphazard blend of reading, writing, reviewing, and ranting, with frequent breaks for a cup of tea.

Check in for updates on all my projects, as well as anything else that has inexplicably grabbed my attention.

Shiny, Happy Galleys

March 5, 2010 – 10:23 am

See all these galleys for FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB? They arrived today, and they’re mine, all mine. And yes, they’re absolutely as lovely as they look.

DSCN8029

Aside from the fact that the cover is just about the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen (and deserves its own blog post), the whole design is simply perfect. I can’t help feeling that everyone at Dial Press totally got what this book is about. Just awesome.

Of course, galleys aren’t made for the author. I already have a fairly good idea of all the stuff in there, you know? So I’ll be hand-delivering them to librarians, booksellers, etc over the coming days. And I’ll even try to keep one as a prize for someone . . . so watch this space.

Now I have to go pick them up before my kids start drawing on them.

By Antony •• Posted in Uncategorized •• Comments (1)

Auntie Heather the Bestseller

March 2, 2010 – 9:09 pm

Writing may be solitary work, but the YA community is fantastic. One of the coolest things about being a writer is meeting other authors and watching their progress. Seriously, when you only get to publish one book a year (and that’s being generous) it’s important to have something to cheer for in the meantime.

Well, get the pom-poms out, because St. Louis’ own Heather Brewer has hit The New York Times Bestseller List with her latest novel, ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS, featuring everyone’s favorite teen vampire, Vladimir Tod. She debuted at #5 two weeks ago, and is still in there at #6 this week. It’s an awesome achievement, and I’m so chuffed for her I can barely see straight.

Here’s to another 50 weeks on the list, Auntie H!

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Barista Love

February 12, 2010 – 2:38 pm

I’m one of those authors who works in coffee shops. You know . . . the ones who sit at the dark and dusty tables at the back, plugged into a laptop, hoping nobody notices they’ve been there FOUR HOURS ALREADY. But coffee shops are great places to work, I find. It feels like a treat, and there’s no one to interrupt me (as long as I switch off the wifi). I forget who it was, but an author once wrote that working in coffee shops was his way of making a solitary activity feel social in some way.

I totally agree.

Unfortunately, though, the blissful routine of writing occasionally gets interrupted. Today is just such a moment. My barista for the past year, Robin, is leaving to move to Los Angeles. Now, this may not seem like a big deal, but one of the lovely things about being a coffee shop regular is the way folks always spare a moment to chat, and ask how the writing is coming. It’s really cool to know that someone is interested in what you do.

Robin will make it into the acknowledgments for FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB, of course. And she’s promised to pop along if I have a signing in L.A., but it’ll be strange not to see her around anymore.

Safe travels, Robin. And thanks for the coffee!

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Before and After Publication

September 25, 2009 – 12:44 pm

Super-author Mandy Hubbard (whose fantastic debut novel, PRADA AND PREJUDICE is already in its fourth printing!) wrote an insightful (and very honest) piece about how having a book published has changed her life as a writer. It’s a question authors get asked a lot, and got me thinking . . .

I think Mandy’s list is great, and almost identical to what I would have written. (I’m not quite as overcome with envy, to be honest, but I know that most authors are.) But there are a couple of other things I’ve noticed that she doesn’t mention, and because it’s an interesting topic, I thought I’d weigh in.

SELF-CRITIQUING

Talking about writing, Mandy says “I’m no longer to the point where I would even consider sending a first draft to critique partners, I’ve become increasingly aware of things I need to revise on my own first.” Ditto that. In fact, after FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB sold, I didn’t show anyone a single page until it was finished and thoroughly edited. There was no point in inviting criticism when I was still aware of a gazillion things that needed fixing. (Having said that, my readers still pulled it to pieces even after I’d fixed those gazillion problems, but that’s why I have readers, right?)

But I’ve noticed the same thing happening with my reading. I’m quickly able to pick up on details that I would have overlooked once. Things like: the organization of a complicated opening chapter so that it reads easily; the rhythm of sentences; techniques for sustaining tension in lengthy passages, etc. What’s funny is that I’ve had the ability to do that with music for years, but it’s taken longer (and more practice) with writing and reading.

OPPORTUNITIES

Mandy’s right. Opportunities abound for published writers. Only, it goes beyond librarians, teachers, conference talks, booksellers calling, etc. In fact, I’d add a whole subheading called “Research Help,” because once you’re published, experts from every field seem willing to spend time talking about their work. During my background work on FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB, I’ve:

* been invited to sit in on American Sign Language classes

* corresponded with an audiologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital

* had a lawyer explain contract law as it applies to minors

* been given a personal tour of our local NBC station by the producer of a live TV show

* received a tutorial on “skewering” from a chess expert

* been educated on the finer points of hair dyeing

* gained insights into Jimi Hendrix’s early life from a rock music historian

* been given total access to Seattle’s famed Showbox theater

This doesn’t even include all the people who have generously read the ENTIRE novel to check for inaccuracies relating to their field of expertise. Now, I’m not saying that these wonderful people aren’t prepared to assist unpublished writers too–it’s just that announcing the book is scheduled for a fall 2010 release makes everything feel a little more certain and urgent.

By the way, if you don’t already read Mandy’s blog, now’s the time to start. She posts frequently about the experience of being a published author (and the world of writing and publishing in general), and her posts are really interesting, honest, and straightforward. And if you haven’t read PRADA AND PREJUDICE yet, well . . . shame on you!

By Antony •• Posted in Ramblings, Writing •• Comments (1)

DUMB update

May 31, 2009 – 10:06 pm

Yes, indeed, writing really is the most ridiculously gratifying career. In what other job can you justify taking time off to read biographies of Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix, or obsessively (re)watch YouTube footage of the aforementioned artists (pre-suicide/overdose, of course)?

All of which is to say that things are going well on the book front . . . I finished the first draft of Five Flavors of Dumb (to be released by Dial Press in 2010) earlier this year, and got wonderful feedback from my awesome editor, Liz Waniewski. Seriously, there’s nothing better than getting that first revision letter and realizing (a) your editor loves your book, and (b) has precisely the same vision for it as you.

Anyhoo, the second draft has now been finished as well, and I can already confidently declare that this novel is everything I hoped it would be. In fact, it’s MORE than I hoped it would be: about 15000 words more, in fact. But that’s what editing is all about, right?

By Antony •• Posted in News, Writing •• Comments (0)

Author panels rock

March 16, 2009 – 5:20 pm

Just before I began a YA panel last Thursday at the McClay branch of the St Charles public library, Heather Brewer (awesome writer of the VLADIMIR TOD series) asked me if I’d ever done one before. I said I hadn’t, to which she replied: “Oh, you’re going to love this. Author panels rock.” And you know what? She was dead right.

The panel also featured Susan McBride (awesome writer of THE DEBS series), and the three of us had a blast. The audience was large and enthusiastic, and we could have kept going for hours. True, some of the older audience members may have begun to drift off by then, but never mind.

The great thing about author panels is that it although they are supposed to be an informative forum for readers and would-be writers, they also give the authors themselves a chance to exchange ideas, share experiences, and remember that we have a job like any other . . . only much more fun. I can’t say enough about Heather and Susan, who made me feel like one of the gang, even though I’ve got a long way to go before matching their skill and accomplishments. And to the organizers, all I can say is: When can we do it again?

By Antony •• Posted in Events •• Comments (1)

The YA trio takes on St Charles, MO

March 4, 2009 – 3:14 pm

I’m really excited about an event coming up next week. For a start, it features two great YA authors–and me, I’m afraid, but don’t be put off–plus it’s always interesting to hear authors go back and forth about how they work, why they write what they do, etc. Please come along and attempt to stump us with a mind-bending question.

Teens Writing

Thursday, March 12th, 7 pm
McClay Library
2760 McClay Road
St Charles, Missouri 63303

For teens and those interested in writing for teens, meet Susan McBride, author of THE DEBS, Antony John, author of BUSTED, Heather Brewer, author of CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TODD on Thursday, March 12, 7 pm at McClay Library. This event is sponsored by St Charles City County Library District and Main Street Books.

By Antony •• Posted in Events •• Comments (4)

Act your age!

January 7, 2009 – 11:39 pm

I have to admit, nothing’s quite so thrilling as getting genuine, unsolicited comments from teens that have read my book and actually liked it. It’s kind of crazy, I know, but even after finding favor with an agent and a publisher and several editors, I still half expected BUSTED to be dismissed by its target audience. The fact that it hasn’t been is terrific, and reminds me how incredibly fortunate I am to be a writer.

However, all is not sweetness and light in Brookbank (the setting for the novel). Rumblings are afoot that BUSTED has been falling into the wrong hands, and frankly, it’s terrifying.

Despite a cover that’s about as attractive to adults as a government health warning, rumor has it that BUSTED has been read, reread, and inwardly digested by People of Advancing Years. From middle-aged Americans to my 93-year-old great aunt in Toronto, adults everywhere have been procuring copies with little or no regard for the fact that I’m pathologically incapable of writing about anyone over the age of fifty. Don’t they know any better?

Worst of all, these “mature” readers say they actually like the book. Truly, these are dark, dark times.

By Antony •• Posted in Ramblings •• Comments (2)

Mad crazy book-signing month

November 2, 2008 – 11:58 pm

My introduction to the world of book signings has come to a temporary close, and what a trial-by-fire it has been. After five events in three weeks, I can honestly say that I enjoy talking about books a lot, and that booksellers are on the fast-track to sainthood. I can also say that it really interferes with writing, so I’m looking forward to a few weeks off.

Still, there were highlights, reminders that the life of a YA writer is a position of insane good fortune, and that writers of books for children and young adults are possibly the finest group of people in the world. For instance . . .

On October 11th, I attended the Saint Louis Big Read. At the author breakfast that morning, I chatted to Laurie Keller, whose picture books my son devours on a daily basis. She was funny, charming, and so modest that she seemed elated to discover there’s a three-year-old who thinks she rocks. Then she did a reading where dozens of children belly-laughed at everything she said. It was brilliant.

The main reason for me being at The Big Read was so I could introduce Catherine Gilbert Murdock, whose books (DAIRY QUEEN; THE OFF SEASON; PRINCESS BEN) are simply spectacular. Again, meeting Catherine reminded me how delightful and down-to-earth authors are. We chatted over breakfast, continued chatting before and after her reading, and chatted some more when she came for dinner. She even let my son systematically erase vital programs on her iPhone without once expressing concern. And yes, she’s as fabulously bright and entertaining as her books would lead you to imagine.

On October 30th, I flew to Seattle for a book signing at the University Village Barnes & Noble. I arrived around noon, and drove downtown, where fellow debut YA author Mandy Hubbard dashed out from work to meet over lunch. (Her novel, PRADA AND PREJUDICE, comes out next summer.) Unfortunately, Mandy and I never actually met while I was living in Seattle–that would have been far too convenient–but we’ve corresponded since, and it was great to chat about all things YA. Again, Mandy reminded how wonderfully humble YA authors seem to be. It’s like we’ve all decided that we’re getting away with the world’s coolest scam, and no one wants to blow it.

At the signing, a lot of friends came out and lent their support, most of them former customers at the Coffee Crew (where I was a barista for a couple of years). Not very many of them fitted what you might call the “target demographic” of YA, but they asked excellent questions, and even laughed encouragingly when I read excerpts from the book. By the end of the evening, I didn’t even feel like a complete impostor anymore. Look, I even know how to hold a pen . . . I must be an author!

By Antony •• Posted in Events •• Comments (1)

Today’s the day . . .

October 1, 2008 – 10:26 pm

that Busted comes out. I just visited my local bookstore, but I guess all the people who camped out overnight to get the first copies must have dispersed already.

In celebration of this momentous event, I did what all neurotic authors do and checked my amazon.com rank. And you know what? I’d entered the world of the top one million. Yep, there are no longer a million books out there selling better than mine. If I had time, I’d write a speech to commemorate the occasion.

Trouble is, I wasn’t sure what that ranking really meant. So I searched for info on the amazon sales rankings, and discovered that my ranking means that amazon is shifting at least 0.5 copies per day. This confounds and disturbs me. I want to know which half of the book people are buying. And what is amazon doing with all the leftover halves? I’m wondering if they’ll tell me which half sold best, so that I can try to work out what I did wrong with the other half. Seriously, I’m the first to admit I still have a lot to learn.

But for now I’ll just enjoy the knowledge that it’s out there, its shiny blue cover enticing readers who still aren’t sure which half to buy. Hey, why not buy it all?