A Thousand Perfect Notes

For the first time in my small slightly rabid life, I am about to do a Frequently Asked Questions post.

FREQUENTLY. Do you see that?! Usually I am either (a) making up questions to ask myself because apparently I’m just that needy, or (b) just answering some random questions I’ve called out to the universe for! But this time it’s: FREQUENTLY. Because being an author means a lot of you have the same questions. Good questions! I will give good answers! Lmao complete lie I will most undoubtedly leave some troll answers. I’m just definitely feeling like I’ve made it as an author ok.

Anyway just in case you didn’t see me mention it 29894 times: my debut A Thousand Perfect Notes is now OUT. You can add it on Goodreads and buy it on BookDepository (which does free world wide shipping) or Amazon US. And my neeeext book, The Boy Who Steals Houses, is out April 2019.

I’M FINALLY A REAL LIVE AUTHOR HOW DID THAT HAPPEN.

 

LOOK AT MY SONS

PS. That is not the final cover for TBWSH haha no. But I’ve been told it will be yellow!

Also my author copies arrived and I am 100% using this post as an excuse to show you my ultimate stacks.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES

I get asked this a lot. And I also go ahead and flap around nervously because THE ANSWER IS SO HUGE. I get inspiration from everywhere. I pull a book together from hearing a piece of music, reading a line out of a book, listening to someone say three words, writing something that means a lot to me, etc. etc.

Some of the influences for ATPN specifically are:

• It’s a very very loose retelling of a classical composer’s life (can’t say who because it’s a spoiler, but you’ll know when you read it!)
• Also “apparently” this specific composer was forced by a parent to play all night…
• Also a small smoosh of a genderbent Cinderella in there (AUGUST IS PRINCE CHARMING)
• I’m also a pianist, so I wanted to write about a musician!
• I wanted to talk about low self-worth. I think it’s a devastatingly universal topic.
• And, um…ok about 13% of the reason I wrote it is also because I wrote “COMPOSER RETELLING HIS NAME IS BECK” on a sticky note on my wall and picked it randomly amongst dozens.
• I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU. PRETEND I HAVE A BETTER ORIGIN STORY.

CAN YOU SEND ME A REVIEW COPY?

You have to request via my publicist at Hachette Children’s UK! I’m not in charge of this and I’m not super rich so I can’t just send copies to anyone.

Also, when a book is out, usually now is the time to buy it! I know that’s not possible for everyone so: ask your library to order it in too!

WHAT IS YOUR DAILY ROUTINE AS A WRITER?

I actually don’t have one. I write in intense hits, instead of daily. But my average-sort-of-process-to-writing-a-book is:

• Spend anywhere from 1 week to 2 years thinking up a novel idea.
• Plot the WHOLE THING in my head like an epic movie.
• Hate myself for all the explosions I put in due to dramatic soundtracks while plotting????
• Cait??? This is a freaking contemporary??? You caNNOT.
• Write an outline (usually 20,000-words). This totally eliminates writers’ block for me while drafting!
• Write the 1st draft (anywhere between 3 days to 10 days).
• Give it a break (anywhere from 3 weeks to 10 YEARS)
• Pitch to my agent and see if she likes it!
• Rewrite or edit extremely intensely (often I rewrite every. single. word)
• Get feedback from one or two betas or my sister if I cry enough on her and she takes pity on my pathetic soul
• REWRITE / EDIT SOME MORE
• Send to agent.
• If she says yes we should submit it to publishers: moooore edits and rewrites!
• Submission to publishers!
• If I’m lucky enough to land a deal — GUESS WHAT MORE EDITS AND EDITS AND EDITS.
• A little book, in your hand. And me, sobbing vaguely in joy and also slight deranged madness in the background.

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT QUERYING FOR ATPN AND HOW DID YOU KNOW WHO TO QUERY?

So firstly: I didn’t query ATPN! I signed with my agent for a fantasy book that we submitted to publishers and it didn’t sell. ATPN was the second book I wrote and gave to my agent. (See?! You have more than one shot at these things!)

And secondly: if you’re asking things like “who do I query”, I’m not trying to be mean, but you NEED to do more research. You need to google and read up on the immense volume of advice that’s out there. I know it’s intense, but you need to do it. Don’t rely on other people to walk you through it, ok? It’s not particularly fair on them to do the work for you. If you want to be an author, you need to do the work yourself.

ARE WE EVER GOING TO GET [INSERT BOOK I’VE BLOGGED ABOUT IN THE PAST]?

Ok so the awkward part about being a blogger and now a traditionally published author is that I have talked about a heck of a lot about projects that you will never never get to read. I’m SORRY. There are so many factors, from (a) if I even like that book anymore, (b) if I’ve kind of reused parts of it in other books thus killing it bloodily, (c) if my agent thinks it’s a good idea?! (d) if publishers are looking for that kind of story, (e) etc. etc. etc.

So I currently have a 2-book deal. I have NO IDEA what will come next! I’m working on things™ and I can’t talk about them! So I won’t say “no” to anything OR “yes” to anything. Don’t you love me.

WAS A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES OR THE BOY WHO STEALS HOUSES MORE FUN TO WRITE?

Definitely TBWSH was more fun! As you know, ATPN is pretty dark and tense and the cute smoosh parts are brief. TBWSH has a lot of banter and shenanigans (BEFORE I TOTALLY RUIN YOU WITH THE DARKNESS) and there’s a big family in there…so the antics are madness and so so much fun.

I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO READ THIS AHHHHHHHHH.

WILL YOUR BOOK BE OUT IN AMERICA SOON?

For now the answer is no! This isn’t up to me. An American publisher has to want to buy ATPN from my UK publisher and so far no one has.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Book Depository has free shipping though and it is currently up on Amazon US (although they run out of stock quite fast sometimes?!)

HOW MANY AUTHOR COPIES DO YOU GET?

This depends on every individual author and what’s in their contract! I’ve just gotten mine and I got 20! Now 19 because my family seems to think they are fREE FOR ALL.

JUST KIDDING. I LOVE YOU MUM. THANKS FOR KEEPING ME ALIVE IN MY CHILDHOOD.

DO YOU STILL HAVE TIME FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH YOUR CAREER?

HAHAH JUST KIDDING.

I mean, I need to spend time with family so I can steal their habits and mannerisms, their speech and weird Sunday lunch stories because like how the heck else do you write.

WHY ARE YOUR BOOKS YOUR “SONS” AND NOT “DAUGHTERS”?

Because I’ve only written by boy narrators at this point so thEY ARE MY SONS.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO ACTUALLY GET PUBLISHED?

Duuuude. There is no ANSWER FOR THIS! Some people take years. Others take (I’m not even kidding) 3 weeks to land an agent and a book deal. It’s your journey and it’s going to be different.

But for me:

• It took 3 years to go from 1st draft to published novel.
• It generally takes about two years from signing your contract to getting your book on the shelf.
• If you sacrifice honey cakes and your least favourite sister to the fairies, maybe things will go faster.
• Not that I…have….done that….

I also wrote a post on how I got an agent and a book deal.

HOW DOES BEING A PUBLISHED AUTHOR COMPARE TO WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE LIKE?

I actually had no idea what to expect. I mean, it ain’t all glamourous. Things aren’t smooth….there have been a lot of disappointments and hiccups in the behind-the-scenes of what I wanted my “perfect” publishing journey to look like. But hey me?!? Unrealistic expectations much?!

Also I never never realised just how freaking GOOD it would feel to hold your own book. To see it on shelves!! To have people saying they over it and it means something to them. And to make your editors cry. To have professionals in the industry ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR WORK.

UGH IT’S SO SURREAL AND INCREDIBLE.

WHAT’S YOUR NEW BOOK ABOUT AND WHEN IS IT PUBLISHED?

It is called The Boy Who Steals Houses and it’s out April 4th, 2019! You can read the proper synopsis on Goodreads but basically it’s about two homeless brothers who break into houses when the occupants are on holidays. Until one day it goes badly wrong…and they end up in a house with a huge noisy family. Genderbend Goldilocks retelling?! WHY YES.

It also features horrible decision making, #ownvoices autism rep, immense amount of sibling bonds, and the kind of ending you’re going to scream at me about. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

DID YOU HAVE MUCH SAY IN YOUR BOOK COVER DESIGN?

Nope! Total surprise for me and I freaking loved it.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES?

10 days for the first draft.

DO YOU EVER SLEEP?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES?

• It is shiny
• It is smol
• It is mine

ADVICE FOR WRITERS WHO WANT TO PURSUE THIS AS A CAREER?

But if you want a book deal? DON’T. QUIT. It seems like the most cliche advice. But seriously! If your book fails? Write another! If you get rejected? Rework it. If you’re not good enough? Write and write and read good books and then write and write some more.

HOW DO YOU GET MOTIVATION TO FINISH WRITING BOOKS?

Holding a finished copy of your book is actually the most motivational thing ever. And I just WANT THIS?! I don’t know how else to explain it! I want it so so so much so there was no way I was ever going to quit or slow down.

WHY DID YOU USE GERMAN IN YOUR BOOK?

Again, because it’s based on a German classical composer’s life! I also had the amazing help of Maraia and Sebastian to make sure my German was, ya know…actually intelligible. My last name is German and my great-grandparents were German immigrants to Australia, but let me tell you: I GOT NOTHING STILL.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR UPCOMING NOVELS?

I caaaan’t say! Did you know I kept ATPN’s book deal a secret from you for like 16 months? Ya. So I can’t keep you 100% up-to-date on what I’m doing with my publishing journey, but so right now just know I’m working on various drafts, my agent and I have PLANS™ and my publishers * probably want to buy me a pocket dragon because they love me so much.

* This is a full lie.

WHY DID YOU BREAK MY HEART WITH A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES?

WHERE ARE YOUR BOOKS AVAILABLE?

In Australia, Europe and New Zealand = in bookstores! If it’s not, ask them to get it in.

Rest of the world? Try ordering online at Amazon, Book Depository, Wordery, Booktopia, Waterstones.

OR ASK YOUR LIBRARY.

so if you’ve had a burning question and I missed it?! go ahead and askkkkk. i don’t bite! except when i’m very hungry. and let me know where you get inspiration for your writing from!!

It’s getting to the point where I realise my debut novel comes out in less than a week, and I’m just sit here thinking, “I DID IT???”

I’ve been working towards this for so so long. I often say “IT’S BEEN 5 YEARS IN AZKABAN” because it absolutely has and that’s no small length of time if you think about it. These last 5 years have been absolutely exhausting and full of heartbreak and encouragements and successes and nerves and triumphs — and now I get to actually hold my book???? I sometimes don’t know how to believe this is real.

I’ve been busting to share the details of my publishing journey with you! Every author tumbles into publishing a different way, but it’s interesting to read all the versions…so finally, here we go!

And please FEEL FREE when this post ends, to ask me questions! About publishing or A Thousand Perfect Notes! I may use some of the questions in a little Q&A on release day too.

Do you want to know how I started writing? I have one of those fantastic and heart-warming origin stories.

I was about 6 or 7 years old. I “wrote” the Three Little Bears out with eloquent illustrations and then told my family I’d invented it. HEARTWARMING, SEE? Later, at 12, my little sister started writing stories and was getting way too much attention, so I joined in. But it wasn’t till I was actually 15 that I finished a real book (it was probably barely 40K in retrospect ha) and thought, “Yep, this is going to be my life.”

Author. Bestseller. Adored all over the world. Etc. etc.

I grew up as a rather adorable book monster, the kind who’d hide with Tintin and Narnia on Christmas and ignore everyone, and my house was filled with books…so NONE OF THIS IS MY FAULT. I was doomed. I’ve always been obsessed with storytelling and had an incredible imagination — so figuring out I could tell my own stories plus control the ending plus (obviously) get famous for it someday was life changing.

What more could a little sharp-toothed, curious-eyed book monster want?

At 19, I was ready to start querying.

When I say “I researched”, I mean I was freaking obsessed with it. I still am, honestly. I still research and read and watch and listen to so much about the publishing world.

Before I queried, though: I had critique partners. I’d written dozens of (awful) books. I was really into a few teen writer communities and had feedback from authors. I religiously read advice and tips. I didn’t just work hard, I overworked hard, just in case you wonder if younger-me had some chill?

HAHA HAH AH. NEVER, NO.

 

• Writing out several versions of my query and ANGUISHING over them.
• I entered a few contests to get critiques.
• One (professional) author said, not only did my book not work, my query was awful too.
• I cried.
• Seriously querying is super hard on your self-esteem.
• I queried in the UK and USA. I’m in Australia, but this was 2013 and as much as I researched, I couldn’t find many Aussie agents?! I remember the biggest one took ONLY snail mail! Which they posted back to me…ya, thanks.
• I pretty much angsted and freaked out over making sure I followed every individual agent’s guidelines.
• I GOT REJECTIONS.
• I didn’t actually track it very well, because the rejections were devastating for me and I’m sooo not the whole “Put your rejections on the wall!” type of writer. My opinion on that: the heck no. I put encouragement on my walls, thanks.
• I did about 20-30 queries? Maybe less.
• They were all form rejections except…maybe…2?????
• Mostly there was nothing.
• Technically I’m still waiting to hear back from about 10 agents.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• I started to think Professional Author Who Said I Wasn’t A Good Writer was right…
• Then I got one yes.
• I only needed one yes.
• I signed with Polly Nolan @ Greenhouse Literary UK (who is, by the way, a super agent and our visions for my writing click so so well and I couldn’t be happier)!!! Seriously best moment.
• This took about 10 months all up.

Things did go slowly at first.

I was signed for a dark YA fantasy that I’d been rewriting and rEWRITING since I was 15, so it was like The Story™ but it needed help. We did a lot of editorial work first. (I still have no idea why I got signed loooool. I’m relieved I did! Don’t get me wrong! BUT HOW DID I GET SIGNED.) Then we went out on submissions to UK publishers.

Then we got rejected.

So my agent said, “What about another book? What about a contemporary?”

And I being (a) desperate, (b) incredibly motivated to work my eyeballs out, (c) wanting this dream to be a reality mORE THAN ANYTHING, (d) being excruciatingly good at saying “yes” and thinking later, and (e) really open to advice…

I said “I’D LOVE TO!”

(Note: I had written 15 books before this. None of which were contemporary.)

Apparently, it seems, I am tolerably good at contemporary. I insert a smug little cute smile here.

Because in 2015 I wrote a little book called “Tremolo.” After revisions and edits, my agent suggested the title, A Thousand Perfect Notes.

In 2016, when I was twenty-one, I signed a 2-book contemporary deal with Orchard / Hachette Children’s UK.

I actually got the email at 4am, because WHO SLEEPS (#insomniac #life) and waited until about 8am for my family to rise from the dead so I could just lurk awkwardly and stare at them which is absolutely how you convey you have a book deal. I swear, I’m super good at communication.

I stood atop a mountain for about 6 months, just screaming in relief. I am a good writer. I am worth a book deal. I worked so freaking hard and long for this and I made it.

(Also I apologies to everyone I ABSOLUTELY LIED TO for the 16 months between signing my deal and announcing it. Ha ha hahaha. Oh wow. I am great.)

Has it been a super easy road?! OH YOU SWEET SUMMER CHILD.

Haha hahha no.

As you can see, I didn’t have any magical shortcuts. I didn’t do query contests or pitchwars (I didn’t even have a twitter for ages?!) and I didn’t have 4989 agents asking for me or 9389 publishers vying for my book. I am the poster child of: “IT JUST TAKES ONE YES” for publishing. And it is so true. This is success and I am proud and happy! And freaKING NERVOUS.

I have social anxiety and autism, which makes communicating hard for me, but my agent and publisher has been 100% onboard with meeting my needs. I have a big online audience, but it actually did 0% in getting my book deal. (It’s the writing that’s important, peoples!) And little things went wrong along the way…like my ARCs didn’t have my copy-edits in them, and I didn’t get to do a cover reveal, and there’s been lots of niggling things behind-the-scenes that haven’t been perfect. I have stressed. I have eaten through a few brick walls.

I’m not telling you that to complain. I’m saying publishing isn’t perfectly smooth for anyone! It has its highs and lows. I’m pretty sure 0% of debut authors have got it all together.

And between all the waiting and hoping — I was writing. If I can ever give one piece of advice to writers pursuing publication: WRITE AND WRITE SOME MORE. Write literally millions of words. Nothing makes you better and more confident than sheer amounts of practise.

 

And the things I still can’t stop happily freaking out about??

Getting translation deals! Seeing people wanting for my book without me having to spend 398 years begging them to read it like I did pre-getting-a-deal (HAHAH LIFE IS SWEET). My editors saying the most AMAZING things about my owrk. Also my editor crying…oh oh my halo just slipped can someone grab that for me.

Having people understand my work. Having professionals improve my work and now my writing is 100 x better and I still can’t get over that. Having my book go to book festivals in Europe! Getting a gorgeous cover (!!!) Knowing I have a SECOND book coming out in 2019. My publishers bought a book off me that didn’t even EXIST yet. I still can’t get over how amazing that is.

And holding my hard work in my trembling paws and knowing that I finally finally did it after I thought I might never get here.

I am all sparkly and my heart is so full right now!

 

Also, I will just say: getting a book deal is wonderful for the self-confidence. 10/10 would recommend.

Thanks for coming along on this publishing journey! Even if you’ve just started reading my blog or been here for the last 7 years…it’s been amazing to share this with you! Look I’m getting emotional, ugh, someone bury me.

A Thousand Perfect Notes is out in just 5 days!

if you’re a writer, feel free to tell me what your journey has looked like so far! plus ASK ME QUESTIONS! about my book(s) or publishing! i am answering!

April 7th marks exactly TWO MONTHS until my debut is published so I’m celebrating with a Q&A!

Two months is honestly not a long time, so I’m only mildly freaking out. And I know you might be sitting there moaning, “Cait, it IS a long time…” then, oh oh you sweet summer child. I’ve been working towards being published for 7 years so I’ve gotten so good at waiting. *

 

* A phrase here which means “is really good at screaming for hours into the void which sometimes screams back and then we harmonise and that’s how I pass the time waiting to be published”.

Now this is a special Q&A for two reasons being: (1) I’m going to talk about publishing and writing, and (2) these are questions YOU actually asked!!

Wild, right?! Usually I ask my own questions and interview myself because I’m a blogger and that’s what we do. BUT NOT TODAY! I did a call-out on instagram and also last week on my recap post and thanks for the MASSIVE response. I love you too. Even though I unfortunately can’t answer all the questions or this post would be longer than my debut. (I’m really honoured though.) So I’ll just answer the publishing ones this time, OK!?

 

You can preorder via: Book Depository, Amazon, Booktopia, Hachette Australia, Hachette UK, Waterstones, Wordery! And add ATPN on Goodreads!

 

also if you want to know what’s up with the tropical theme these days… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I LITERALLY HAVE NO IDEA. I’M JUST GOING WITH IT.

 

if you could pick one song to be the soundtrack to your book, what would it be?

A combination of Chopin Etudes and Beethoven symphonies! READ THE BOOK AND YOU WILL KNOW WHY.

Is publishing a book everything you dreamed it to be?

YES I’M A HUGE FAN OF THE FACT I GET TO HOLD MY BOOK AND SOMEDAY IT WILL SIT IN A BOOKSTORE AND I WILL RULE THE WORLD.

 

Will you ever do signings and go to book events and such?

As of now, probably not, but…ya know…”never say never.” Things are complicated by me living in a tiny tiny town in Australia but being published in the UK, as well as I have pretty severe social anxiety. But I’m online. Literally all the time. Isn’t that nice.

 

what do you think is the no #1 thing all writers should keep in mind when writing a book?

Write something that means a lot to you, like a lot of a lot. Write what’s gnawing away at your heart. Because you’re going to be rereading this darling 801 times if you’re publishing, so you want to love it loooool. (And also because writing on your heart makes an authentically amazing story…minor details there.)

do you still plan on continuing book reviews after A Thousand Perfect Notes and your other secret project? If so, are you going to change the way you review somewhat?

Yes I am still reviewing! The only change is that I’m no longer going to do 2 or 1 star reviews. I’M PUTTING AWAY THE SALT. This is my choice because I would feel weird seeing a favourite author of mine insulting a book. However I won’t lie! I just won’t review books I don’t like, #easy.

 

when you wrote ATPN, how much chocolate was murdered? And what kind?

You are NOT going to believe this but…literally zero chocolate was harmed in the making of this book. My family had just started doing this Paleo-version-diet for health reasons and we were on this stage where you basically eat pumpkin and boiled chicken and this is 50000% the reason there is so much frikkin’ food in ATPN. I was dying. I’m still damaged.

 

how did you decide to pursue traditional publishing rather than self-publishing?

Traditional was always my dream! I want to be in a bookstore. I want to have a contracts and career. I want to work with professionals who make my books 100 x better and kindly say “NO CAIT” when I make my characters kiss and then throw them off a cliff. (This has happened 2 x now. I sense a theme.) I’m not saying indie authors can’t do those things and I respect them! But it wasn’t the route for me at all.

 

what’s something you love about traditional publishing? what’s something that frustrated you?

I love the advice, the edits, the support, an entire professional house organising your book. I love having my editor say I made her cry. (SHOULD I ADMIT THIS.) Frustrations are definitely: waiting and waiting and…you know. wAITING! Because things move slowly. And if I have a cool piece of news to share I will be waiting 6 to 12 months to tell you.

 

tell us a secret about your book.

IT DOESN’T HAVE A DEDICATION BECAUSE I COULDN’T FIGURE OUT WHO TO DEDICATE IT TO.

 

 

what kind of cake will you celebrate your book release with?

ALL OF IT.

 

 

how much say did you get in picking the title/cover.

I am really bad at titling (insert tragic laughter) so my title is actually thanks to my agent! And I didn’t pick the cover, but Orchard said: “What do you think?” And after I finished petting my laptop screen, I said: “I LOVE IT.”

 

did you get a final say in what stays and what goes in the book itself? (I’ve hear authors don’t, so I’m wondering)

I hear people say this aaaall the time and at this point I’m like, “IS THIS A MYTH RIGHT AFTER THE KRAKEN???” My experience has been full collaboration with my agent/editor! Of course they want changes, they want to make the book better! And I want that too?! I don’t understand writers who refuse to change with advice…how else do we grow? (And I suspect if you end up with an editor that 100% wants to change the entire theme/message of your book, thennnn they’re not really suited to your vision, hmm?)

 

did you have to literally sign a contract?

YES. THIS MAKES ME LAUGH. It was not in written on gold paper tho and I did not sign with a majestic quill. #Disappointing

 

how long did you work on ATPN before you began query lettering?

I didn’t query ATPN! It’s actually my second book. My agent signed me for a fantasy and it went on submissions and got rejected. So I wrote ATPN and my agent and I went on submissions again. This time: 2-BOOK DEAL. I wrote the first draft of APTN in June 2015 and it sold in June 2016. The actual story is set in July. The perfectness of all this pleases me. (And it only went through 2 drafts before selling!)

what was it like when you first held a copy of it in your own hands?!

A LITTLE BIT OF HYPERVENTILATING BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY YEARS I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD GET THIS.

 

which Hogwarts House do your main characters belong to?

Beck is a Hufflepuff. August (love interest) is Ravenclaw. Beck’s 5-year-old little sister is a Gryffindor! I think. (If you’ve read an ARC, give me your opinions!)

 

what has been the most difficult thing about the editing process?

The technical stuff has been so hard?! Like catching typos and inconsistencies! After you’ve changed so many little things over all the edits, you get to a point where you DON’T KNOW WHAT VERSION STAYED OR WENT. help.

 

could you talk us through the querying process please?

I queried back in 2013 which was like…so…long ago. I don’t know how things have changed, because they change constantly! But for me it was: write a query —> find agents who fit my criteria —> submit it to them (also following their submission guidelines) —> stare at inbox for 10 months —> get absolutely no rejections or acceptances —> UNTIL THAT ONE.

how do you write when you have Depression and Anxiety AT THE SAME TIME?

It’s actually what helps me the most! Escapism, too probably?! When I’m focused on a project and basically living 80% in my head…life is pretty good. Also the more anxious I get, the faster I work. I’m like a frenzied office worker after too much caffeine but without the caffeine and more typos.

 

As an Australian, how did you go about looking for agents for your book? Options in Australia seem limited compared with elsewhere in the world, but I assume there are challenges with having an agent from overseas.

So like I said, I was querying back in 2013 and I think I found 2 agencies in Australia to send to?!? Curtis Brown only took envelopes for goodness sakes I time-travelled back to 1984. Anyway. I queried in the USA and UK more extensively and ended up working with Greenhouse UK! (WHOM I LOVE.) I guess the only drawbacks are (A) I’ve never met my agent in person, (B) timezones often suck for emailing because office hours is when I sleep, and (C) it takes 89 working-years for mail to get here (THANKS AUSTRALIA POST).

 

HOW ARE YOU SO EPIC???

THIS IS HOW I WAS BORN.

 

 

the hardest part about writing a book that deals with the topics that your book deals with?

My book features a lot of abuse and low-self-worth which are pretty hard-hitting topics, right?! I think one of the hardest things was writing that a way that wouldn’t make the reader close the book and say, “Everything is depressing.” Because it is, but that’s not the point of the story. The point is believing you are worth something and I hope readers get to the end and bawl their hearts out and get that.

 

what is your favourite part of book publishing?

Holding my ARC! Reading editorial notes where my editors !! love !! my work !! (This is ridiculously surreal and awesome I can’t even explain.) SEEING MY BOOK IN THE WILD. Having a reader told me I made them cry! Realising I am an author now….and I just???? I’ve wanted this for so long.

 

does it have a swoon worthy romance???

More an awkward gangly romance that starts off as friendship!

 

how do you get over writing block?

Actually I’ve had very bad writers’ block this year…more like an epic slump. (I blame it on reading negative reviews oops + the general nervousness of my book coming out + general panicking about the future etc. etc.) I work through it with devouring as much art as I can, so music, TV shows, reading and reading and reading. Refill the creative take! PS. I also force myself to work anyway.

 

how do you get through your insecurities about your writing? I’m afraid my writing isn’t good enough, that everyone will hate it or tear it apart!

I think I’ll always be somewhat insecure?! That’s a bit of the writer’s life and it sucks, but it can also help keep you grounded. But seriously, also tell yourself YOU’RE GOOD. Write and write and write. Write a million words. Write several books. Edit. Work hard and it pays off, so when the niggling voice comes telling you that you suck: slam your paperwork on the desk. YOU HAVE DONE THE WORK. YOU DO NOT SUCK.

 

 

how did you start writing?

I was 12 and my little sister started and got way too much attention for her little stapled-together stories so, obviously, I started. I got serious about it at 15. I was agented at 19. I sold my book at 22.

 

do you have a favourite genre to write? I feel like its not contemporary cause you love epic battles and magic etc.

I actually love writing contemporary. I used to be solely into fantasy, but I do enjoy characters who can use toasters and WiFi. It’s very helpful. But magical realism and epic fantasy are also VERY high on my love list. I will write them too someday!! Watch me!!

 

how do you stay motivated to write?

It’s amazing how motivating a publishing deal is. SO motivating. Also this is my job, this is what I want to live of (someday!!). And I’m also really competitive with myself. So ohhh I wrote a book in 4 days? *SLAMS FIST ON THE TABLE* HOW ABOUT IN THREE.

 

are you planning to translate the book?

It’s not up to me! That happens if foreign publishers buy rights, so cross your fingers!

 

 

As a writer, is it just me or after a while you start hating the novels your currently writing? Does that feeling change when you get published and have editors to help you out, or get positive feedback?

I think we all end up hating our books a little at some point (laughs until cries and dies). But underneath it all, I always passionately adore my book. If I didn’t, I don’t think it would be a good story?! You go through so much rejection and setbacks and it’s such a slow process, that you do need to be your #1 fan.

 

And will we see more books from you in the near future?

YES. 2019.

 

how to go from drafts to querying? At what point do you stop drafting and send queries? Maybe just what exactly querying looks like?

It’s definitely hard to know when your book is DONE. But I do think you’ll know instinctively? You have to have rewritten and edited that little beast within an inch of its life and have it polished as shiny as you can make it. (Get help with this! Critique partners and betas are invaluable to tell you where the problems are because often we writers are too close to a project to see them all.) Querying just looks like: writing a hooky letter, use your characters voice, show the highest stakes and what there is to lose, and make it 2-3 paragraphs. Know your genre. Know your audience. KNOW THE AGENT YOUR QUERYING. Don’t self-depreciate, but don’t be arrogant either.

 

something that has surprised you so far about the publishing process?

All the waiting you have to do! IT IS A LOT. Waiting turns me into an egg.

 

how did you come up with your characters’ names?

They are ALL special names with multiple meanings! Most of them are spoilers though so I have to smother myself (I’M SORRY). Except I will say August’s name came from the movie, August Rush, and Beck’s full name is his embarrassing secret.

 

what is your advice for an aspiring author? I’ve always loved to write, but within a few chapters I feel like my writing is terrible and I never finish.

Keep going KEEP GOING KEEP KEEP KEEP GOING. You have to finish and learn to edit and rewrite and write another book and then another. I seriously can’t stress this enough. It took me about 16 books to find my voice and feel confident about my writing…hopefully it won’t be that long for you (!!!) but practise. It is the secret.

 

 

how do you sit and write SO much in a day?

I can hyper-focus! I think this is a huge perk of being on the autism spectrum, but writing is my obsession so just leave me alone in my invented world in my head and I will write for 8+ hours a day. Occasionally I take a break and look for a spoon in the fridge but YA KNOW. WHAT IS REALITY.

 

what books were your inspiration for your own book?

Actually my inspiration more came from historical classical composers’ lives + genderbent Cinderella! Although if you want to know some comparative titles to read while you wait, try these:

   

You mentioned you had a different title for your book. So…what was it? I’ve been curious ever since you said that.

It used to be called Tremolo! Which I still actually…um…call it that because old habits die hard.

 

Awww! I can’t wait for my heart to be shattered.

SAME. I’m excited for your pain too.

 

 

You can preorder via: Book Depository, Amazon, Booktopia, Hachette Australia, Hachette UK, Waterstones, Wordery! And it’s not coming out in the USA as of yet, folks. But Book Depository and Wordery have free world wide shipping!

 

sorry that i didn’t get to everyone’s questions, but ask ANYTHING (doesn’t have to be publishing related!) in the comments and I’ll answer there! any of these answers surprise you?! and HEY WRITERS: what is your publishing dream goal??