STATUS: Happy. I officially didn’t really work today.
What song is playing on the iPod right now? CNN—my husband is watching while I write this blog.
I had lunch with a good agent friend of mine. We were lamenting the tough market in the UK and why we couldn’t seem to break into that market with our U.S. projects.
I just heard news a couple of weeks ago about a hot project of mine getting some attention from the Publishers across the Pond. This project had gone to second reads, to ed. Board, and many a furious email had passed between all parties involved.
Ultimately, a pass.
In actuality, a UK sale (or non-sale) is no indicator of how well a project will do. The British market is tough and very tight. A break-in there just wants to feel like a big step.
Sometimes though, a UK sale is last (after a project has succeeded in the U.S.) rather than first.
Yep, short and sweet because it’s Friday.
Off to happy hour and then dinner at Bobby Flay’s restaurant near Union Square. Back in the office on Monday.
Some advice…
Remind them that Harry Potter could all be given back …
They’d love to be in the US market. That’s the big apple. Try bribery and corruption. Tell them you can get the Brooklyn Bridge for a discount for them…
Tell them Rupert Murdoch is American and that he’s your second cousin…
If you need any other help I’m ready.
Aunty Pennyoz
Ooo, post about your experience at Bobby Flay’s, I’ve been DYING to hear whether his food is as good as it looks on TV.
Good for you for taking the day off! We all need that every once in a while. Enjoy the weekend!
I guess if you sell certain Harlequin series, you can break in over there. But I never really thought about in the big picture.
So the UK is picky… I used to date a Geordie. Maybe he has some influence. Or not. 🙂
Sounds like you are going to have a fun weekend! Forget about the UK disappointment and enjoy yourself!
you know, with the exception of say the laurell k’s and nora’s of the world, I never actually thought it was possible for most people to get their books pubbed anywhere but here.
I guess because I don’t have those expectations, I won’t be disappointed when mine don’t. lol
Hi Kristin
A British editor told me this recently: The market for fiction in the UK is extremely tough at present and if the Waterstones/Ottakers bid becomes a reality, it will become even more difficult.
The editor is on vacation, so I’m still waiting for her to eloborate, but how will the Waterstones/Ottacker bid affect small publishers?
Carrie
P.S. What did you order at Bobby Flay’s?!
Hi Kristin
A British editor told me this recently: The market for fiction in the UK is extremely tough at present and if the Waterstones/Ottakers bid becomes a reality, it will become even more difficult.
The editor is on vacation, so I’m still waiting for her to eloborate, but how will the Waterstones/Ottacker bid affect small publishers?
Carrie
P.S. What did you order at Bobby Flay’s?!
Hi Kristin
A British editor told me this recently: The market for fiction in the UK is extremely tough at present and if the Waterstones/Ottakers bid becomes a reality, it will become even more difficult.
The editor is on vacation, so I’m still waiting for her to eloborate, but how will the Waterstones/Ottacker bid affect small publishers?
Carrie
P.S. What did you order at Bobby Flay’s?!
Ooooops! SO SORRY about the multiples. How did that happen?