We don’t talk enough about how writers go actually mad when their books come out and yet everyone wishes them HAPPY PUBLICATION like they’re having good times.
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I am, by the way, not suggesting you shouldn’t say ‘happy publication’ to authors. It’s nice to do so. I’m just pointing out that most of them will be out of their minds.
Yup. When I meet someone who has a new book out, I usually say "Congratulations! How are you coping?" Thanks for bringing this up, it's something I've only ever heard talked about in private - I had a bit of a breakdown when my first book came out, and now I know that's not an uncommon response.
So sorry to hear that. I just get mega stressed in the run up. I thought last time it was because I was having two launches, but no launch this time and still insania.
For me it's something to do with a thing that had been private suddenly being out in the world. My 1st book was a story collection, I hadn't expected it to be so shocking that people were actually reading it. Every book has brought a sort of joyous stress, never met a writer who hasn't felt that.
I try and ignore charts etc as much as I can - once my book is out in the world I can’t control how well it does. I’ve been that person refreshing its Amazon page every few mins to see how it’s selling and that way madness lies. No more!
All of that so lovely as well as happy publication - it just makes me laugh because writers all say it to each other even though we all know the other person might be going out of their mind!
What should we say as a congratulation on their new book being let out into the wild? I at the moment wish them happy publication day and I’d hate to think how many authors I’ve made mad 🤔.
Ahh, I see, phew, glad I’m doing it correctly. I always like to congratulate an author as it’s very hard work writing a book and I can also understand the going mad of the author at the same time as it must be exciting and fraught.
Like when you’ve had a new human baby and once the balloons have deflated & the flowers withered everyone buggers off and leaves you to the stinking piles of unwashed dishes, & nobody feeds you or checks to see if you are alive under the huge pile of laundry
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(Happy publication, btw)
Fearfully anticipating sales (or the lack thereof) and critical reviews? Dreading finding a typo on page one?
I can imagine. When something important like that's going on, it can be distracting!
My blood pressure was horrendous. A bit of panic on their part, but they had me sit for 10 minutes and listen to music.
But my doctor greeted me with, “What the hell have you been doing today?”