- That 2012 be my year of writing
- That I'd wear nail polish on my toenails
- That I'd drink gin
Interestingly, I've stuck to the first one, and totally bombed out on the second two. Well, I ran out of gin, and am working my way through the alcohol cabinet before I go out and start buying new bottles of anything. I sound like a complete alcoholic now, don't I?
Anyway, without further ado, I'd like to take a deep breath and announce that I've contracted Drive Me To Distraction with Momentum Books, the e-publishing arm of Pan Macmillian.
Which means, I'm going to be a published author again.
OMG, I'm going to be a published author again!!! :D
Its been a long time between novels for me.
After Secret Intentions was published I was diagnosed with a scorching case of Post-Natal Depression. I made a decision, at that time, to step back from publishing (hell, I was such a mess I could barely make myself a cup of tea, let alone market a book). In any case, I found my anti-depressants totally squashed my creativity, and writing took more energy that I had to give.
I let it go.
Well, to a degree. I never stopped blogging! But what I wrote about became what was happening in everyday life. Not fiction.
A year passed. I found my feet and with the help of a brilliant counsellor and the anti-depressants, I slowly recovered from PND.
Then the wonderful Trisha Telep asked me to write a short story for The Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romance (The Grey Man) and the popularity of that led to a big jump in sales of both Running Scared and Secret Intentions. The writing spark began to flicker once more.
18 months after my diagnosis, I stopped taking the anti-depressants. Still wary of putting myself under to much pressure, and dealing with Miss (now) 6, who as it turned out, had Aspergers syndrome, I did not dive right in, but instead started to write. The stories were stories of my heart; named Drive Me To Distraction, The Bunker, Running With The Hunted and Fat Chance. They followed no rhyme or reason, or structure or rules.
And then in early 2012 I decided it was time to start submitting again, just to see what would happen. By mid February I had five full requests from seven query letters, and things were looking pretty exciting.
Which brings us to today.
I have read and signed the contract. Sent it on its way, and am filled with a huge sense of satisfaction and anticipation. My story will be out by the end of the year, and I am so excited to be back.
:)
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That is such an awesome story and I'm so excited for you! Well done and being able to move forward, I've never experienced Post natal depression, so I cant even begin to imagine the stress that must have put on things, but I am so happy to hear that you've gotten back into your writing and sold this book!!! cant wait to read it. I loved The Grey man too by the way. Huge Congrats!!!
Good for you Caityn! I know how difficult it can be to pull yourself out. I had PND after my first child, plus I have 2 boys with Aspergers so I can so relate to your journey. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there...and strangely, or maybe not so strangely, I know dozens of authors who have aspy kids. I think writing is a great way to channel your feelings when day to day can be so overwhelming sometimes.
Anyway GO YOU!
May this contract be the first of many!
That's wonderful, well done. Like Carly I have never experienced PND but have experienced mild depression and it is much easier not to put pressure on yourself. The writing that you did would have been a form of therapy for you.
Wonderful news, Caitlyn and well done for pulling yourself back from PND.
I know the feeling of a big gap between books - "a long time between drinks" just doesn't cut it in todays fast moving publishing world.
LOL on the gin!!! That is the funniest NYR I've ever heard. But HUGE YAYS on the sale. I'm absolutely ecstatic for you and can't wait to read your new book!
What wonderful news! Congratulations, Caitlyn, not just on the new contract but recovering from PND
Congrats - as a PND survivor who took 2 years to recover with meds and a support group (+ other services and support) I think it is awesome that you 1st - pulled back to take care of yourself and 2- are now recovered and back on top of your book writing. Now go paint your toenails!
Bloody brilliant. I bow down to you! Congratulations.
And get onto that gin will you? Choh... call yourself a writer.... *jokes, jokes, jokes!!*
Yay, yay, yay, yay.
Im so excited for you. This is marvelous news.
And I can confirm antidepressants kill your writing ability.
It's about time Caitlyn Nicholas made a comeback.
Hugest congratulations!!!
It IS about time she made a comeback!! And thanks for your support over the last few years Jess, just knowing I had you and Sami and Rach to email when needed has been wonderful :)
LOL Kirrily :) !!
I thought of your comment in the supermarket this afternoon and saw some sparkly blue nail polish on sale, it is now awaiting me beside the telly!! Yes an evening of telly and toenail painting awaits - cos I'm glamourous me!!
Thanks Maggie :) Two aspy boys, wow, just wow and hugs.
I agree, writing is a great way to channel feelings when its been an overwhelming day. It just takes you out of everything and into a good place. I don't know what I'd do without it :)
Congratulations!!
Yay we're excited to have you on board! Except... you don't drink gin?
Awesome effort Caitlyn - on getting a contract for your story and for beating PND. I look forward to reading it.
Congratulations, I'm so happy for you!
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