Down, Up, Down Again: The Diary of a Debut Author - Publishing Perspectives

Monday 1st June

Just got off a Skype call with Janet, my publisher at Alliance Publishing Press. Apparently, in their office, I'm known as "The Wanker." Not any more, though, she assured me. Oh, well that's alright then. Yes, they like me now. Ever since we finally thrashed out that contract, wrangling over percentages and subsidiary rights in the faintest of hopes someone will actually make money out of this book. Was I being that difficult about it? Don't you think my agent would also be a wanker? If I had one, that is. I've almost had enough. I've read the book about forty times in the last two months. My mum's quite excited, though. And the few people I've told seem quite impressed that it's actually being published. Even if it is a tiny indie outfit. I'm their thirteenth publication. Good, honest prime number, thirteen, I keep telling myself.