These beautiful flowers are a gift from my publisher. Yes, you read that right dear readers. In July, Hachette Australia will release my memoir, I Belong to No One, as a paperback and ebook simultaneously. Set in 1960s and 1970s Australia, it is an emotionally engaging tale of a time when women were trapped by the shameful secrets of teen pregnancy, illegitimacy and domestic abuse. As events unfold, the reader gains insight into the reason our former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, issued an apology to all those affected by the practices of Forced Adoption. It is a story of loss, but it is also a story of triumph over adversity, and I hope many people will be touched and comforted through reading it.
Recently, I had my first official meeting with Hachette, where I was guided through what to expect in the run-up to publication and the first months following release. They are working on the back cover blurb – which is a good thing – because I found writing a synopsis harder than writing the book, and the idea of condensing the synopsis into an attention grabbing few paragraphs had my head in a spin. I should also have the finalised cover in the next month.
At the meeting, my publisher at Hachette was very supportive. She stressed to me that I should celebrate every step of the way, and reminded me, in the nicest possible way, what an achievement it is to secure a publishing contract in today’s climate. Hear, hear!
Really, it is still difficult to absorb this is really happening to me. A career in shipping and logistics hardly prepared me for this experience, so every step of the journey is a brand new day. It is quite a ride.
I can confess now that I was unable to blog for a couple of months as I was head down, nose to the grindstone, shoulder to the wheel, bum on seat, fingers glued to laptop etc. etc., soldiering on through yet another edit of my memoir. I had already self-edited to the point where I felt I could do no more, at which time I sent the manuscript to a professional for appraisal. That resulted in another edit, which then led on to another manuscript appraisal with a different editor, who then worked with me to get it to publishable standard.
Last year fellow blogger Sandra Danby wrote an excellent post on her experience of copy-editing her novel Ignoring Gravity. You can be sure I had already taken on board what she had to say. Sandra also kindly announced my publication in her ‘new books coming soon’ section last February 22nd. Thank you Sandra!
The difference with the most recent edit is that I was responding to the publisher’s copy editor. Then in today’s mail I have received what is called first page proofs. Now the layout looks as it would if it was in a printed book. I have glanced through the stack, and it looks – different. No longer is it a manuscript in Times New Roman 12. No longer is it double-spaced on A4 paper. I have spent so many, many years looking at a manuscript, and now . . . gosh. Well, it is no longer my baby, that is for sure. It seems to have turned into a teenager overnight, a stranger inhabiting the body of the child you thought you knew so well. Now I have to look at it very, very critically making sure my changes have been interpreted correctly, and looking for proof reading errors.
I have a publisher, (she sighs and looks dreamy) . . . picture insecure debut author dancing around the laptop. A little celebration before the hard work of proof-reading begins.
How exciting 🍀 my Dads aunt wrote her first book whilst in Australia, The Skylarks Song was the story of my Great Grandma and her sister (Audrey’s Mums) life. My very best wishes to you 😊
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That’s very interesting. I am hoping to use my great-grandma’s story for a future novel. Is your grand aunt Audrey Howard? I can find a book on Amazon that looks to be the right one. I’ll buy a copy if it is.
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Yes she is I haven’t seen her since I was little and used to visit my Great Aunty Marjorie who lived nearby.
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Well she is a very prolific writer! Seems there must be a great creative gene running in your family line 🙂 my local library has many of her books but not Skylarks Song. I will chase it up. There may be a similar theme to what I wish to do next, although I am not planning on writing in the romance genre 🙂 thanks for bringing it to my attention.
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I think she was retired when she published her first book, it just shows you it’s never too late. I wish I’d got her writing gene, essays would be a lot easier than they are 😳😄
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Congratulations, so happy for you, it’s so exciting 🙂
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Thanks Andrea. This is a huge step in my life.
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So wonderful, and so terribly exciting. Congratulations, Gwen. I cannot wait to read it.
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Thanks Jolandi. I hope it takes off on the world stage as a paperback. At the moment it is showing on Amazon in several countries as a kindle version only. It is not due for release until June 30th, so it is pre-order only at this stage on Amazon.
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I am always very happy when a book has a kindle version. That way I know I can get my hands on it effortlessly.
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That’s good to know. I hope many others feel the same 🙂
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Please continue to share this success. Who autographs your book, the press interviews! The book launches! The signing…all ahead of you. How exciting!
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Hard to believe it is really happening Lynda. But I am certainly past the point of no return now, so I will definitely be blogging more about it between now and publication date. Hope you might make it to a signing one day, cheers Gwen
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Congratulations on your book! It is so wonderful to see all of your hard work come together.
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Thank you so much. I just this afternoon put the manuscript back into the post destined for the publisher. Now I get a few weeks free before the second proof reading stage. It certainly has required a lot of perseverance to get to this stage. I can even admit that to myself now 🙂
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So proud of you Gwen!
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You have given me such encouragement along the way. Thank you, thank you!
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WOW !!!! CONGRATULATIONS Maria!!!!! Well done! Your dedication and efforts have paid off!!!!
I am very proud of you and of what you have achieved….now you can spread your wings and aim for the stars….am sure you will make it big. Will look into buying the book when I come to Australia in July. Big hug.
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Thanks for your wonderful congratulations. It has been a lot of work and actually I am kind of proud of myself for staying at it. I didn’t know you were due back here in July. I am thinking of having the launch on Saturday 11th, at Wollongong. Xxx M
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Wow Gwen. This is such a special time for you. Enjoy every minute of it. It must feel amazing to actually hold that first book!
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Hi Sandra, it is exciting isn’t it. I am working through the proof-reading at the moment. It’s almost there. Xxxx G
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Way to go.
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Cannot wait to see the finished copy being passed to me at my local independent bookseller!
Congratulations Gwen! I never doubted for a moment that this would be your outcome. Cully sends the BIG tail thumps! xx
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Yes, Annetta. Gwen: Annetta & I can say that we knew you before you were famous!
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Annetta and Barb: I wave imperiously in your direction . . . What’s that I hear you say? . . . “Ohhh, Gwen – get over yourself?” Really? hahahaha, seriously, I am so looking forward to celebrating this with you two. Thanks for your support!
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Thanks Annetta, and lick lick to Cully. I just said to Bill this morning, pity our surname didn’t start with an ‘A’. You’ll have to get all the way down to ‘W’ on the bookseller’s display. That’s dedication 🙂
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WELL DONE, Gwen!!! What lovely flowers and so well deserved – you have worked so diligently to get to this stage. ENJOY all of it!!! We’re by your side all the way – with love – Jojo
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Thanks JOjo. It’s so great to know I have people like you supporting me all the way. The launch party should be a hoot!
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Woo-hoo! Congrats!! 👍👍👍
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Thanks Kate, it an exciting and scary time!
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CONGRATULATIONS GG!! I KNEW YOU HAD IN YOU AND COULD DO IT!! I’m sitting here shedding a tear at your marvellous news.Will Bill still be able to live with you? The flowers ARE lovely but you deserve lots more. Hope to get my copy autographed when I’m down your way. Do you have to do a sales pitch at book stores signing copies? Wow it’s so exciting. Consider yourself well hugged for well done!
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Hi Jo, oh so great to hear from you and what a lovely message. Of course I will autograph a book! (note to self, must practice handwriting). I think I will do a launch here around second Saturday in July by the way. But nothing set in stone yet. Going around the country is also on the cards. The publicity person will kick off the mainstream media and also help with arranging appearances elsewhere. Bill is being tremendously supportive. Always has been with all the practical things, but now he is buying into the ‘journey’ as well. I feel your virtual hug and bask in the warmth of your welcome feedback! Xxxx GG
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What an accomplishment – so thrilled for you. Really looking forward to getting my copy signed when you do your Canadian tour!.
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Wouldn’t that be a thrill, to travel the world doing book signings! Hachette have world rights for two years, so it is not out of the question that it would appear on shelf there, as well as being available on the internet. I think it is a story that has echoes in many countries. Thanks for your encouragement!
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Looking forward to reading it even without the signature if necessary!
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Would you believe it is already starting to be listed on Amazon and Kobo???? I don’t know how that works. It’s not available to purchase until June. Maybe pre-orders give the publisher a hint of its potential.
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Very exciting! I couldn’t find it on Amazon here but look forward to its North American release.
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That’s interesting to know. I expect to be in touch with the publisher’s publicity person next month, so now doubt they will explain to me how this part of it works. I’ll keep you posted.
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How exciting!!!! Can’t wait to read your book! I’m at Lake Titicaca now – BEAUTIFUL.- and certainly enjoying South America.
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Sue, I would love to hear your feedback in due course! And I am following your travels with amazement. I have to say that for once, I am not drooling to actually be on the journey. I am not sure my lungs could take the high altitudes, and I am very sure my legs would never cope with the tremendous hikes you are doing, so I am delighted you are bringing it back to us sitting in comfort at our laptops.
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Heaps of congratulations, Gwen – I’m so pleased for you and you deserve to get published after all your hard work and patience. Question is, is Bill properly prepared to be your road manager?? It’s quite a responsibility shepherding a breakthrough author across a continent!! Seriously, I hope it all goes really well – all best, Agnes.
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Thanks for the congratulations, it means a lot to me. You have been a loyal fellow blogger from when I first started posting, so you well know this has been bubbling along for a long time with never any guarantee of success. Little by little, Bill is coming on board in a big way. Can you believe he already started a proof read? Who knows what is ahead for us, but it is not out of the question that we can at least combine some road trips with library and Probus talks. But that hardly touches NSW, let alone the rest of the country. Uncharted territory, that’s for sure.
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Oh it sounds so exciting and I’m so pleased that you’ve got some stalwart support for all the travelling as well as a little extra help with the proof reading. I hope you’ll find time to update us on how it all goes. Best of luck!
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Thanks Agnes. I will definitely be updating as we get closer to the time. Might be a chance to document what happens along the way.
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What a fantastic adventure, congratulations on all that hard work.
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It has required a lot of perseverance, that is for sure. I have ideas for another one but haven’t had a free run yet to get started. But if I do, I sure hope I work a lot smarter!
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That is truly a fabulous report! Don’t forget to do a launch down here! I’ll b there!!!! Well done dear Gwen!
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Thanks Fran, Plans for the launch party are in very early stages, and yes, I am expecting it to be here, or at least in Wollongong!
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Wow! Wow! Congratulations! I want one!
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Given your social work background I suspect you may find some of the themes of real interest. I hope you do enjoy it in due course. Hachette have world rights for two years and I think are taking it to the London Book Fair shortly. Fingers crossed. Of course it will be available as an eBook, and/or it can be ordered as a paperback online, but can you imagine my excitement if it would hit the English bookstores or be translated into another language? Okay Gwen, settle down now . . . one thing at a time.
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I think I will. You might like http://derrickjknight.com/2013/05/02/rabbit-proof-fence/
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Thanks Derrick. I checked it out and commented on your site. Very interesting story.
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Congratuations Gwen what an exciting time for you and such a huge achievement. Celebration time !!!!!…. Louise
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Thanks Louise, it’s exciting and scary at the same time. I hope you enjoy the book!
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Congratulations, Gwen. I can’t wait to read your book after having a tantalizing read of a couple of pages when we were in Paris. I will recommend it far and wide in Central Queensland – perhaps you would consider doing a promotional tour up this way.
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I hope to get far and wide in Australia with Bill as my road manager. hahaha. Hachette’s publicity person will also set up various appearances. Who knows where that will lead? Thanks for your support and enthusiasm!
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