Tuesday, March 26, 2013

I've Got The Date!!!

Okay, everyone, there's good news and bad news. First, the good news! Penguin released my check, which means they have fully accepted the changes on the manuscript (my editor was happy happy happy!) so I'm doing a conga dance in Colorado complete with sparklers. Huzzah! BUT, here's where you will see the power of the author (not!) when it comes to a manuscript. My book was supposed to be on the Fall 2013 list, but they pushed it back because the list was full and I was working on the revisions yadda yadda yadda. So my heart was heavy as we discussed the situation of a Spring release. In the end I was satisfied that they were making what Penguin considered a prudent choice by pushing it back to Spring since they said they could give it more attentions etc. and get the word out more easily to the buyers. However, I JUST RECEIVED an email from my editor, telling me the Powers at Penguin had a meeting and decided to make The Dead Giveaway a lead book for the Summer Read program. As in summer of 2014. I read the email and immediately called her office, but in the three minute lapse of time it took for her to send the email and for me to read it and immediately punch in her phone number, my editor had skipped out of the building - she's currently in South East Asia for three weeks. I then called my agent, wailing about the length of time you all would have to wait, and he said these decisions happen and it's all about what's on the Penguin list and it's just part of the process. So I suppose I'm going to have to suck it up and deal with the fact that the release date is off in the horizon. But it is at last a firm date. PLEASE stick with Cameryn and Justin while the days of the calendar fly by. I'm working on The Enemy in the Walls so that The Dead Giveaway and then The Enemy in the Walls can be released Summer and then Fall - that's something to cheer about! The forensic television deal is still on the table, (it is supposed to be pitched in April) so I'll let you know what/when/if anything happens on that front. The television deal with National Geographic is moving forward as well, but that deals with Mysteries in our National Parks, which is of course a different series entirely. The Book of the Dawning is well underway, and then I will finish up Dragonfly Eyes! somewhere in all of this. So, to recap, there's good and not so good, but we're moving forward and that's a wonderful thing! Last but not least: when things like moving release dates make me want to tear my hair out, something will happen that puts my problems into perspective. One of those 'reminders' just happened to me in the saddest possible way. My friend's grandson was left in an at-home daycare for one day last Thursday, and the caretaker shook his little seven-month-old body so hard he had a massive brain hemorrhage. His name is Leyton, he's in a coma, and the prognosis is not good. Yesterday, the doctors allowed his parents to hold him, perhaps for the last time. My husband and I are going to a prayer & candlelight service for him tonight. So please, all of you, send good thoughts/prayers for this little guy who has been so terribly injured, and remember to look at the difference between disappointment and tragedy. Then hug someone and tell them you love them. Because the one thing writing forensics and paranormal stories has taught me is that you never know what's coming. Just make sure today counts.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about the chapters?

Alane Ferguson said...

I will know what I can do when my editor gets back from Asia! Fingers crossed!

Elle said...

So, I was disappointed, of course!

But we're all happy you've got the release date, congratulations! I understand Penguin's reason--honestly, it's been a while since the last book for the Forensic Mystersies, and I'm sure a lot of fans out there LOVE the book but may not necessarily be following you on your blog or twitter or whatever. More time means more attention, which means more excitement! =D

Best of luck to Leyton and his family. and To you and your writing! Can't wait for Summer 2014! =)

Helen C. said...

Hey Alane! I was wondering about your editing process.

When you revised your draft. it seemed pretty quick. Maybe the changes were HUGE, but it's like you revised it, then it's approved. Did it actually just take one revision? I've heard other authors like John Green and Maureen always describe how the revision process is a lot of revisions and back and forths.

We'll wait--it's all good!We're forever supportive! Congrats on finally finishing the book, and much prayers to Leyton.

Alane Ferguson said...

Thanks again for all the positivity - it really helps as I push through The Enemy in the Walls! Helen asked about my editing process, and The Dead Giveaway had TWO revisions. The second was supposed to be a quick pass, but one comment my editor shared made reshuffle the entire book, which translated into 100 new pages. Yikes - that was a tough revision, but the end result was a tighter book! We love our editors!

On a sad note, Leyton has been pulled off of life support. It's only a matter of time before he slips away. So again, hug someone you love today in honor of Leyton. Babies are so precious, and that little guy won't be able to discover the joys and sorrows and triumphs that should have been his life - it's just heartbreaking for everyone. May he and his family find peace...

Anonymous said...

do you think you could post the cover of the dead giveaway??? and is that chapter you posted up still the first chapter of the bookS??? so many questions left unanswered!!!!!!!

Alane Ferguson said...

Yes - I promise to post the cover, which my editor is supposed to send me, as soon as she is back from Asia. It is a brand new first chapter, so there's a lot happening that will be (hopefully) exciting for you to read. Again, I'm awaiting approval from my vacationing editor. Only ten days left to go and then I'll snag that cover and get permission for the new first chapter!

Anonymous said...

any news at all, please don't leave us hanging!

Alane Ferguson said...

I JUST sent off an email reminding my editor that she promised to send me the cover - now that she's back from her exciting vacation I'm sure she's slammed with work, which makes it hard to get to everything in an editor's 'to do' list. Hopefully, my nudge will work and I'll be able to show you (and me - I still haven't seen the cover!) Penguin's vision for THE DEAD GIVEAWAY! Fingers crossed again!

Anonymous said...

What about the chapters post?

Alane Ferguson said...

Me editor is call me this afternoon (as promised I wrote and hopefully will get the all-clear!) so keep those candles burning!!!

Anonymous said...

any news about the show!!Please tell me its good news and it has been green lit!!!

Anonymous said...

How's the show?????? Gotta have some news by now!

Anonymous said...

PLEASE ALANE!!!!!!GOT ANY NEWS ON THE SHOW!!!

Alane Ferguson said...

Sorry - I thought I already posted the news here, but I think it's on another thread. Now, concerning the television show - THINGS ARE MOVING FORWARD! I talked with one of the producers Monday, and she thinks we have a real shot. The official pitch by the Great David Ehrman is set for July/August! Keep those candles lit!

Anonymous said...

Has there been any progress on book six?

Alane Ferguson said...

Book Six??? Be prepared to freak out! My kids can't even sleep because it's so creepy. You have been warned!!! ( I LOVE my job!)

Anonymous said...

R u gonna put up the chapters

Alane Ferguson said...

JUST hung up from talking to my agent, who says I HAVE to wait for electronic, signed permission. Boo! Waiting...waiting...waiting...just like you! Thanks for keeping those fires burning concerning the first chapter. Are you listening, Penguin???

Anonymous said...

Do u have any book suggestions to read...any good dynostapian novels perhaps or similar to the forensic mysteries?

Anonymous said...

do you know any good books to read while we wait?

Alane Ferguson said...

I JUST finished RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA, but my recommendation comes with a warning, since the language and some sexual situations are written for a mature audience. (I'd say it lands somewhere between a Young Adult/New Adult/Adult book. Interestingly, it's been listed in all of those genres!) Having said that, it was an amazing mystery! I loved it!

Anonymous said...

got the electronic verification yet?

Alane Ferguson said...

Not yet. GAA!

Anonymous said...

How long does it normally take to get the electronic verification?

Anonymous said...

What is the order that the books are in? I just finished reading the Dying Breath and came on here and I am just confused on the order after the first 4 books.