UK Publication date!!!!

mainly sunny, mild, temps around freezing

I know this because I've finally been out. And no, not in my pajamas. Tragically, I had to leave those in the apartment.

But the BIG celebration chez nous today is that this is the publication date for BURY YOUR DEAD in the UK!!!! Feb 24th!

It feels as though I've been waiting for this for years. As you might know, we've changed publishers - from headline, who were terrific. I'll never forget how excited I was when they bought Still Life - and when it won the Dagger. And all my hopes and dreams. of taking Still Life to Hatchard's on Piccadilly, and showing the manuscript the Mystery section - and whispering into the bag that if it was very, very good, and very, very lucky then it could join the other books. There. On the shelves of one of the great independent bookstores in the world. In the UK.

Being raised and weened on British mysteries, being sold to a UK publisher was particularly moving. Don't get me wrong - being sold in the States was huge - thrilling! But my heart both sang and wept when I heard my books would be sold in the UK.

And then - to have that first one win the Dagger for best first mystery. I'll never, ever forget that night. And hearing my named called. And winding between the tables, whispering to myself, 'Remember this. Remember this.' My big fear is that it would be over and all be just a blur.

And I do remember it. Every breath. I remember hugging Michael for all I was worth. And thanking him.

But then, as wonderful as Headline and my editor there were, it felt like it just wasn't a fit. I'm not totally sure, but I think they might have thought the books were village cozies set in Canada. Which, of course, they were. And are. On the most superficial level. But I like to think they're that, and more.

So the books failed to thrive in the UK - doing OK, but soon, when I visited Hatchards, they were no longer there. No longer welcome with the other mysteries. And it broke my heart. So that I could no longer even go in to this bookstore that I loved. It just hurt too much.

But then we changed publishers, to Little, Brown (Sphere). And BURY YOUR DEAD is now out.

I don't dare hope for too much. Not again. Not yet. But, like Ruth in Clara's paintings, there is a gleam in my eye again. Not an expectation - but at least, now, I have hope.

Today Bury Your Dead is officially on sale in the UK. If you live there, please go in to Hatchards (or, actually, any bookstore) and buy 300. Each. And then go back and do it again. Thank you.

Little, Brown!!!

sunny, mild, temps minus 2

Another splendid day. Not sure it the syrup will be running today - perhaps a little too cold. Water on the driveway frozen today. Crunched my way with Trudy to the mail box. I remember painting it when we first arrived her. Put on a bright fresh blue paint, the house number and then stenciled Michael's last name...then realized there was very little space for my name. so I ended up printing it long hand. So Michael's name is huge and symetrical and mine all squashed in and trailing off to the side.

Now, a decade later, the mail box had been whacked by the garbage truck, by the recycling truck, by the snow removal tractor. The blue paint is faded and chipped. The metal box is all dinged. But our names remain. I look at it and think I should repaint it, but I sort of like the 'lived in' look.

Great news about Tara! She's still with us...or actually with the Mounts. Amazing the will to live. And be with the family.

And other great news - that I've known for a few month but couldn't say anything about. I've changed British publishers and will now be published by one of the most prestigious and serious houses in Britain. Little, Brown. A storied publisher. I'm beyond thrilled. My editor there is Dan Mallory - who was an Oxford professor of literature (even teaching detective fiction) - before joining Little, Brown.

Michael and I had tea with him in London and got to know him. Very important for me to have a personal relationship with an editor. It is such an intimate relationship, there needs to be trust there, and the absolute certainty the editor knows what I'm trying to do with the books, and will fight fiercely for it within the publishing house, and beyond. And there needs to be mutual respect. I just adore Dan - and his very impressive ideas for the series. It's exciting.

Cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am. So Bury Your Dead, as well as the next three books, will be published by Little, Brown in Britain.

For the american market I've stayed with my US publisher, Minotaur and my fabulous, dazzling editor there, Hope Dellon. It also helps that Dan and Hope are very interested in working together and making sure they come to decisions that will build the Gamache books in both big markets.

I'm a big fan of collaboration and team work. As you know, I'm very competitive...but in my experience the best way to succeed is to work well with others. A team is always going to be more powerful than an individual. And more fun.

I realize many people feel much more comfortable on their own...but I don't. Besides, if it doesn't work out, I plan to just blame Dan. Or Hope. Or Teresa. Or Michael. Or Trudy. Or you.

Gives me comfort at night.

Breakfast in cowansville this morning. Then 15-hundred words written. Woke in the middle of the night realizing two things didn't make sense in the manuscript...or, really, I'd forgotten something that would make sense. I have a notepad by my side of the bed so I made more notes. sometimes the notes are a little too cryptic.

Dog food.
Why not?
When arrive?
whip?

things like that that in the morning make no sense. But these notes this morning did. So I was able to go back and insert a few references and am now writing a scene that needed to be there.

As I write the book comes alive more and more. Very fun.

Michael and I are considering going to London for a couple of weeks in May...but i need to be finished this first draft by then. Don't want to be in the Big Smoke and still writing...nor do I want to interrupt the writing for two weeks. But if the timing works out it would be perfect. When I finish a first draft I need to take a couple weeks off, to detach and be able to edit.

We'll see. I'll know better in a month.

Off to ellipticate on the torture device, and listen to Billy Bishop Goes to War.

Once more into the breach, dear friend.