October Newsletter: Giving Thanks
Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be grateful for this year, not least of all the amazing community that has been by my side as I navigate the release of Fault Lines.
These last few months have been nothing if not remarkable! For those of you who have followed along, you’ll know that my path to publication has been winding. There were two close calls with traditional publishing, one through the regular query process, and one through landing on the shortlist of the Guernica Prize for Literary Fiction. Both of those experiences were deeply affirming, helping me believe in the book, and in myself. But after a lot of self-negotiation, I ultimately made the decision to put this book out in the world on my own, and return to traditional publication efforts with the second novel (currently in the works). I have learned so incredibly much about the process, including what steps to take and in what order, and I feel heaps more prepared to re-enter that world when the next book is eventually ready.
So what is the remarkable part about these past few months? Honestly, it’s all the incredible support I’ve been granted by both the reading and writing communities. As I say this, I wonder if it comes off as a bit glib. The sentiment is easy enough to say, but a touch more difficult to capture precisely what I mean. The thing is, writing is a very alone kind of thing to do. Part of me really loves that - falling into a world of my own making, characters and experiences that, at first, live only in my own imagination. It can be a beautiful thing to retreat from the world, even when the world is the very fodder for that retreat. But this withdrawal from other real human beings can also become an echo chamber of self-doubt. Is there any value in what I’m doing? Or, look at what so-and-so has accomplished! It’s pretty easy to prime the pump of imposter syndrome when being in your head is the default setting.
But releasing a book, whether with a traditional publisher or on your own, is fundamentally a people-y kind of thing to do. Sometimes it’s still doing that through a screen (a lot of the time, actually), in social media posts and even (ahem), newsletter writing. But then there’s meeting real people who’ve read that post, or attending events like the Winnipeg Book Festival or the CanLit Conference at the University of Winnipeg, having an opportunity to interact with other authors. When I reflect on community, I think of authors like Robert Hough, Donna Besel, and Ruth Taylor, all who graciously agreed to read and blurb Fault Lines. I think of supporters like Creation Magazine, a place I’ve been published twice, whose book reviewer has agreed to read and review my novel. I also think of author and publicist Hollay Ghadery who I’ve connected with as a book reviewer myself for other Canadian literature. I think of my family, who have done everything from design to beta reading to tech support to listening to be practice my readings, and more. And I think of all of you, the many individuals who have asked about my book in person, have reposted information about it, and have shown genuine enthusiasm for my success. It truly is a blessing, and something for which I’ll be forever grateful.
If you are in Winnipeg and have the opportunity to attend my launch event on November 8th, I’d love to see you there. It will be a coffee-house style event with singing, readings, author interview and Q&A, book signing, and refreshments. While my introvert is still introverting, I’m simultaneously very excited to welcome you all to this event. It’s coming together nicely with a lot of support from family and friends, and should be a lovely afternoon of literary connection.
Just a reminder that if you’d like to preorder, the paperback version at the bookstore on the website (www.shirleyhaywrites.com/store) is available now. It can be picked up at the launch, delivered, or you can make arrangements with me directly if you are local. There are also shipping options if you want a physical copy but are not local. The ebook version is not available to preorder can be purchased and downloaded on November 1st!
Thankful for you all!