My Path to Publication: Signing my Contract

It's a year since I entered the Good Housekeeping Novel Competition and a lot has happened. So much, that I've found it hard to keep the blog updated. I'm more active on Facebook and Instagram.

​​I can honestly say the publishing process is nothing like I expected, but it's still a dream come true.

Over the past few months, there have been times of intense work and also long periods of waiting. I'm not great at being patient, but the downtime helps my ME, so I'm learning to relax and enjoy the peace.

​​I'm currently enjoying some free time, so I thought I'd pop on here and catch you up on everything that has happened.

I entered the novel competition at the end of March, found out I won in May, it was announced in August and I signed my agent and publishing contracts in October/November. It felt like it was all taking forever, but with each new step came a rush of excitement and more "pinch me" moments. 

When the physical contracts came through the door, I couldn't quite believe it. I loved holding a tangible result of my competition win. I've been working towards this for six years and at times I wasn't sure if it would ever happen.

There was lots of legal-ease (technical term!), so I got both my agent and the Society of Authors to check the contracts through for me before I signed. There were no problems and it was a joy to put my name on the metaphorical dotted line. 

The hardest part was deciding which pen to use! A ballpoint felt too cheap, my fountain pen doesn't work any more, so I found a good, black ink roller-ball instead. #authorproblems!

I had already started my edits on The Choice before I got my contracts and that has been a real roller-coaster, I'll tell you all about it next time.

I've got a week until my copyedits come through, then it will be back to the grindstone. Wish me luck!

When I'm not writing...

I'm reading: Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

I'm listening to: Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

I'm making: A crocheted Harry Potter house scarf blanket

I've made: Adjusted a Harry Potter tie and made a hair bow for my niece

I've baked: My first ever quiche!

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A post shared by Claire Wade (@clairerwade) on Mar 5, 2019 at 2:59pm PST

Pre-order The Choice

The Choice is available to pre-order from Amazon, Waterstones, Book Depository

DETAILS
Published: 26th December 2019
Publisher: Orion
ISBN: 1409187748