IT Girl

I am very excited to announce that Orla's Code is going to be published! Yes, this is even more exciting than school summer holidays or getting retweeted by someone famous. And over all the stages since final draft to final submission, this one happened quite quickly.

Endeavour Press gave a talk to my writing group, London Writers Cafe, about 3 weeks ago. It was on getting published and how to raise your e-profile. We all sat poised with pen and notepad on knee as usual. I toyed with asking a question: How important do you think it is to have your own marketing plan in relation to securing a book deal? A few submission guidelines I've come across recently request this and I always shy away from these publishers because I don't have a marketing plan. Anyway, I didn't get to ask my question, but afterwards, as is the wont of our writing group, guests and audience went up to the bar for a drink and further chat. Throughout the talk I had been listening for Endeavour's submission guidelines and I was thinking they might take a look at O.C. So, over a glass of wine, I gave the Endeavour team my pitch. I was asked some questions: Are you working on another book? What has been the reaction of other publishers? What is it called? Orla's Code, I say. This was met with a thoughtful pause. And then: Call it I.T. Girl. As in It Girl. Always call something what it is... Before leaving I promised a submission the next day.

Following my submission I was asked for the manuscript and then a week later received a reply. I was bracing myself for rejection - cause you know I'm getting used to it - but marvelously it simply said: We think this is something we can publish, would you like to come in? I was grinning like an idiot at my workmates. One wanted to know if she had something on her face. But even the following week before the meeting, I was still bracing myself for disappointment. Like maybe they'd say: We like it but can you change 50%? Or: We'd like to serialize it in an avant garde magazine we're experimenting with. But, again they simply said: We like this and we'd like to take it on. Then we got down to the serious business of marketing, strategy and book covers. 

I had taken a half day from work for the meeting and I wasn't meeting friends until later on so, afterwards I went to the Tate Modern nearby and saw the Roy Lichtenstein exhibition. I think I'll always have a warm, fuzzy association with brightly coloured pop-art from now on.

So, here's my TODO list:

• read over mauscript final edit when it arrives
• research book reviewers who might be interested in reviewing IT Girl
• mobilise friends and family

And that's all, folks. IT Girl will be available in your favourite e-book stores hopefully very soon!...