I recently read a comment from an author that really made me stop and think.  About my own budding career.  About luck, chances and the future.  She was commenting on the fact that she’d written her heart out for ten years.  Indeed sacrificed much to pursue her dream to become published.  She recently signed with an agent in September of 2008, and then well, the economy pretty much went south.   She feels like she’s in a do or die situation and that if this book doesn’t sell she’s going to have to give up the dream.  She’s heard back from two of the NY houses, but is in a holding pattern of waiting for the others. 

I have to say that I believe luck plays a huge part in not only landing an agent, but in selling a book.  Obviously talent is major, but really, that sweet spot and the stars aligning play a major role as well.  For me, personally, I signed with my agent in June and was lucky enough to sell my book to a NY house in early September.  (On a side note, the day before my editor read my ms, she was in a meeting and the consensus was, that they were looking to acquire a paranormal shifter book.  Guess what my books is about?)  The proverbial shit was just starting to hit the fan, and by October I remember thinking I was darn lucky to have sold when I did.  DARN LUCKY.

At this point there were so many doom and gloom reports that I no longer wanted to listen or watch the news.  And publishing houses were folding, (small presses), large NY houses were laying off.  It was awful.  I truly felt for new authors querying agents and/or editors.  How would they ever sell with such a doom and gloom market?  And how were my fellow Bradford sisters going to fair with their new releases coming out?

Yes, the economy sucks but I think we’ve been treated to a pleasant surprise.  People are always going to want to escape and a good read is one way to do that.  Romance novels, whether they be erotic, futuristic, paranormal or warm cozy mysteries will always provide a HEA to soothe the soul.

According to the most recent Neilson Bookscan, both fantasy and romance mass market books were UP in December and by substantial numbers.  I read Publishers Marketplace and there are still deals being made everyday.  Samhain has acquired Linden Bay, a positive move for sure.

So, is the economy killing publishing?  I don’t think so.  I think that certain areas of publishing are going to suffer, mainly literary.  But romance?  Naw, it’s here and with the leaps and bounds that epubs are enjoying, it’s here to stay.

So, I hope this author that seems to be at the end of her rope, sticks it out a little longer and I’m sending a wee bit of luck her way.  Maybe I’ll read about her deal in PM in the next little while.  That would be nice.

What about you?  What are your thoughts on the economy and what it means for romance books in general?

I think I almost died on Saturday.  All for the love of writing. 

You see, Saturday was the day I’d been looking forward to all week.  Not Friday.  Even though I was going out for dinner with the girls, and we all ate wonderful food and drank way too much wine.  Well they did.  I was good.  Really good, because I had an important appointment the following day.  My very first Toronto Romance Writers meeting.  I had been meaning to go since I had joined RWA last year, but honestly most Saturdays I’m busy.  I have kids, a husband and a lot of social stuff going on, so you can imagine how excited I was to have a free Saturday.

So, like a good girl I woke up at the ungodly hour of 5:30 and was on the road by 7 to meet a friend and travel to Toronto together.  I drove, through crappy weather and when I met my friend, realized I had my son’s hockey equipment in the back of my truck. Frack!  He had a playoff game as well….so said friend came all the way back home with me and then we turned around and headed back to Toronto.  We were only an hour late and it was an all day session so we weren’t doing too bad.

The sessions were wonderful, run by the lovely and talented Deborah Cooke.  I learned so much and met so many lovely people.  I also, squeeee!!!! got to meet Michelle Rowan and next month Kelley Armstrong and Eve Silver are giving a workshop.  Loved it.  Loved everything about it.  I was able to spend time with people who I could talk writerly with.  People who know what you mean when you say things like, “gah, my shifter is just pissing me off.  I want him to do one thing, but he’s screaming at me to do another!”   My everyday friends just don’t get it!  They pretend they do, but I see their eyes glaze over. It was  so worth the drive!

Yes, I got to meet a ton of like minded peeps and was feeling pretty darn good, too!  But, as we went to leave I realized my battery was dead.  This has never happened to me and it was freaking cold and trying to find someone to give us a boost was not fun.  A lovely lady did help me out and I’m eternally grateful.  The drive home was horrendous.  After dropping my friend off I continued through a freaking blizzard, and honestly nearly drove off the road twice.  Like off a mountain?  I kid  you not.

Yes, I almost died (I suppose that sounds melodramatic, but that’ s how I felt dammit!) and couldn’t wait to get home and once I’d had a glass of red Chilean wine (or 2) I realized that I’d had an incredible day and I’d do all over again.  The chance to mix and mingle with women who are doing what I do, who love to read and to write, was just priceless.

So, my advice to anyone thinking of joining a writers group, is to go for it.  Don’t procrastinate like I did.

And please, make sure you have battery cables and winter tires