Tuesday 9 April 2013

Portrait of a Lady (1)





Pretty soon it's been a year since 'The Divorced Lady's Companion to Living in Italy' came out and I think I need a birthday party. A year ago I was a terrified debut novelist virgin. Absolutely clueless. My publisher is a small British press so much of the promotion was up to me. I organised a small bash in London, invited mates and family, sent over some local prosecco and brought a nephew who knows how to keep glasses filled. I had to talk about myself and about my novel, and I was in a total fluster. I forgot my own name when I was signing books.

And yet it was a killer night for me, a real milestone in coming away out of my cocoon.

Around that time I also did a blog tour and grew absolutely sick of talking about myself, trying to sound interesting and plugging the book. Some of you have shown support there, so thank you very much. Then there were some literary festivals where I had a microphone in front of me, a jug of water and lights. Not my thing at all, but I battled through. A couple of times I even made people laugh.

Sales have not been in the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' category, but okay for an independent book. I'd have liked more, but hey, I don't have a marketing team, or any more than twenty-four hours in a day. Selling is very hard work. And unfortunately, however much you love or like your book and are pleased with your publishers and reviews have been satisfying, the most nagging feeling is that you haven't done enough. You haven't done enough readings, you haven't networked enough, you haven't secured enough reviews. It can feel so depleting.

And then there's the after-book void. What do I do now? Do I keep rattling on about this book? Won't people get sick of me? Shouldn't I have a second book in the wings? Will my publisher let me change genre?

I've ended up spending this year - as I imagine many authors do - polishing book two (which was thankfully accepted before the first came out), blogging like mad, sending off review copies. Some days I feel like Catherine McNamara's secretary, hoping she doesn't catch me on Facebook if she pops in from the other room. Other days I'm steeped in a new story and looking at the long editing-submission-acceptance-editing-promotion road ahead. Some days I receive the thrilling news that a story has been accepted, more often it's a rejection which I immediately hand over to the secretary next door...

But today I feel like doing a birthday giveaway. To those of you who haven't read DLC, or those of you who have but don't want to surrender your signed copy, how about jotting down below:

1. What you LOVE about Italy
2. What you HATE about Italy

I'll have my Italo-Aussie-Ghanaian tribe help me judge the winner and I'll send you a copy plus some flirty bookmarks!

In other wild news I have my own personal photographer flying in tomorrow to produce a glam portrait for promotion for 'Pelt and Other Stories' due out in July. Mark Ritchie is a brilliant Australian photographer who has made Spain his home. What on earth do I wear/attempt to convey? While DLC is heavy on divorcée humour, 'Pelt' is where I trot out my literary wares - tales of lust and dirt on the cusp between Africa and Europe.. (Having said all that I'll add that I lived with a photographer for five years, that I HATE having a lens in my face, and that most shots have me with my eyes closed. This is not going to be easy.)


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P.S. My story 'Taxidermy' was launched in Issue Two of 'A Tale of Three Cities' at Le Carmen Book Club in Paris on Sunday night! 'A Tale of Three Cities' is the first arts journal to salute the golden triangle cities of London, Paris and London. My piece is set in Berlin and will be included in 'Pelt'. Je suis très très heureuse!!

20 comments:

  1. This is all so exciting. Your glam portrait, your new book...and I just read your 'small bash in London' post and it made me anxious to get reading. I'm still waiting for my copy, not sure what's taking so long. And now I find out your new book is almost ready...I've got a lot of catching up to do. BTW--this giveaway is a great idea. From what I've heard, authors definitely need to keep "rattling on" about their work....
    Leslie (Gwen Moss)

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    1. Sorry your copy is taking so long! I've heard that from someone else too. Unfortunately Amazon is probably the fastest but the author receives next to nothing! Hope it comes in soon.
      Very happy as I may have some more good news regarding this book. You are right it pays to rattle on and on. And on. Fingers crossed xx

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  2. Happy anniversary Divorced Lady's Companion!! What do I hate about Italy? Nothing, except maybe getting there from here. What do I love? How old everything is, the crumbling architecture, the hills of Rome with its Cypress and Olive trees, the seemingly-easy-fashion of the women, how the men wear tight pencil-pants and scarves, the pizza, the pasta, the wine, the ice cream on every corner, the Food Food Food!!!

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    1. Thanks Teri! I'm still so amazed it ever happened!

      I do so love the cypress trees and the crumbling architecture too. And spring drives in the hills, Campari in a bar with iron chairs and little stones, getting my heels caught in cobbles. You are right there is a lot to adore.

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  3. What I love about Italy: the relaxed, leisurely pace. What I hate about Italy: the same, especially when it comes to trying to get somewhere by train on time.

    Okay, that was the best thing I could do based on my single and short trip to Italy over a decade ago. I think the wine and the food and the sunshine and the art should go without saying.

    All I could think while reading this is how fortunate and fabulous it is for you that book #2 was accepted before book #1 was published. That is a real triumph and must relieve so many worries that other debut authors have.

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    1. I wish I saw the relaxed leisurely Italy you enjoyed a little more often (having lived thirteen years in Africa I saw leisurely taken to the next dimension) but what I see from day to day are frenetic drivers, frenetic mothers, frenetic politicians. Perhaps it's time I went southward.

      Yes book two is a total blessing. I am beginning to become really REALLY excited, if a little apprehensive. I'm already in a dilemma about book three!

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  4. "Some days I feel like Catherine McNamara's secretary, hoping she doesn't catch me on Facebook if she pops in from the other room." I loved this. It made me laugh out loud but nod at the same time.

    What I love about Italy: the fact that during my two weeks wandering around Florence, I ate more gelato than I can remember, and it felt perfect.

    What I hate about Italy: the fact that during my two weeks wandering around Florence, I spent six hours lining up for the Uffizi Gallery and, by the time I got in, all I wanted was to get out again and procure some restorative gelato.

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    1. My problem with gelato is that I worked in two Sydney ice cream parlours when I was a student so the thrill had really gone.. It took me years to be able to face gelato. Long skinny years. Now I have two favourite bars in Vicenza, two in Padua, on in Venice. That means pumpkin ice cream in autumn. Aztec choc with chilli in winter..

      That secretary of mine just went on a three hour lunch break and came back smelling of cheeky red wine!

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    2. See, whereas I actually don't have much interest in ice cream of any sort (bar Paddlepops and Golden Gaytimes) except for when I'm in Italy. Kind of like how I find macarons boring, except ate dozens in Paris, because it felt right.

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  5. Maybe your secretary can help you chose an outfit? (loved that bit)I always think a crisp white shirt looks great and I love black and white photos.

    Can't wait to read Pelt!

    Oops, nearly forgot - love the Italian weather. (I would say that considering where I live...)

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    1. Yes she can! She should get off her backside and get working.. In the meantime my daughter wants to do my eye makeup. Divorcée Goth anyone?

      Oh yes. I wouldn't dare complain about Italian weather after that deluge we lived through.

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  6. What I love about Italy
    I love arriving in Italy. I love the feel of Italy. I love the regional areas and the spectacular scenery. I love the simplicity of the life style and the friendliness of the locals, mostly away from the cities.
    I love the freshness and simplicity of the food. I love the way the locals go out of the way for me when I try to speak in Italian with them. I love the local markets. I guess I just love the people, the food, the wine, the country side and La Dolce Vita.
    What I hate about Italy
    I hate leaving Italy. I do not like the way I have often been treated and spoken to in Rome by the locals. I hate the crowds in Rome. I hate the impatience of the hospitality workers in most of the major cities. I hate how rudely they treat the tourists. Sure tourists can be rude but many of us can be very nice. Hospitality is the profession they have chosen so love it or change their profession.
    Hi Cat, you know what else I love, your openness and honesty. Congratulations on your 1 year. Lyn x

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    1. Tante grazie Lyn! I love your comment, so much of what you say rings true for me too. There is a lot of warmth in this place, but so much impatience! Good seasonal food is appreciated here, this is such a boon. And yet - yes - tourists are often treated so badly. Always check your change in Venice! Xcat

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  7. Happy Anniversary DLC, and congratulations, Cat, on your latest publication. Looking forward muchly to Pelt. I have a copy of DLC, but Italy, for me, is a first boyfriend and a hand held on the the slopes x

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    1. Aww Rae you're so sweet. And a hand held on the slopes is the loveliest thing.. even after all these years! Xcat

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    1. Thanks Talli! And I hope you and baby are well. Must check out what you've been up to Xcat

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  9. Do I have to write puns for the Italo-Aussie-Ghanian tribe? Seriously, sorry I've been slow to come here ... I've had my head down on a job this last week. July? That's great ...

    I don't need to enter the giveaway but I loved Italy. I've only been there once, and we planned to go back so started taking Italian lessons but a posting to the US got in the way. I loved the food and the art, I loved the picturesque small towns, and I loved the sound of the language. What didn't I like? Nothing that I can remember ... but then we spent very little time in big cities. My least favourite place was Rome, despite the great things there, because it's a big city.

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  10. I just found your blog and hurried right over. Let's see..what I hate...that's it's so far away, I've never been able to visit! What I love...everything! I dream about Italy. I imagine myself there. I watch movies, read books....visit Italian blogs! I even started learning the language a few years back and know a few words and phrases. It's my dream to visit there. But when I do...I want some TIME there to experience the beauty of the land and people. Sweet hugs from a Southern lady in Florida!

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