In the Company of Greatness

Well, I always knew you guys were a great bunch. But last week I heard from a dedicated lurker, who has left a few comments here and there. We know her as "MicheleL." And that Michele L. turned out to be . . . Michele Lang. And she sent me a wonderful email that arrived in my in-box on one of "those days." And for not the first time, I was reminded that the universe sends you angels on days you need them.

Then I KNEW Michele was really a dedicated lurker, because she wrote me, "I know you don't read fiction, but would you like a copy of my first release, Netherwood?" (If you're a regular reader, you know I mostly read physics texts, though last night at 11:30 p.m., I was trying to wrap my mind around quasar splitting and got a headache.) Anyway, I accepted--mostly because, I told her, it sounded like the kind of book Oldest Son would read, and for this once I wanted him to think I was a "cool" mom for knowing a sci fi writer. THEN she sent me the ARC.

Can I tell you this book totally and completely ROCKS? I mean, from page one, rocks. It's for the new Shomi line. And this isn't what I usually read (even if I was going to read fiction), but ladies and gentlemen . . . it's got this WHOLE other level going on, discussions of the soul, of what makes us human, a love story, all wrapped up in a sci fi book with avatars and "Netherwood."

So I asked Michele to visit us today, THE DAY OF ITS RELEASE!!!!!!!!! And she agreed to share her call story. Here it is.

All in Good Time

Yesterday at dinner, my sons were in an inexplicably angelic mood. As I rushed around, spilling soup on my shoes, burning my thumb on the toaster oven, my oldest one, like a Zen master, murmured, “Take your time, Mom. Take all the time you need.”

My oldest kid is intense, off in his own world most of the time, but he often channels wisdom far beyond his seven years. I took a deep breath, served up his fish sticks with a flourish, and my personal Yoda rewarded me with a smile. “That’s better. Slow down, and you’ll get done in good time.”

The little guy is right. I am not exactly known for my patience and stoicism. Though I console myself with the personal belief that I have the temperament of a racehorse – nervy and full of heart – I have to admit my son knows my weaknesses. Despite my belief in a higher purpose, I usually try too hard to make things happen that were going to happen anyway, sooner or later.

I got the call for NETHERWOOD on June 7th, 2007 – it was a Thursday morning. Despite the fact that I’ve gotten e-books published before, even despite the fact that I had polished the partial to a high gleam before sending it in, I was completely caught off guard by Chris Keeslar’s voice on the phone. I sat on the saggy green sofa in my writing room, held my head in my hands as we spoke, and I tried to sound like a rational human being instead of somebody knocked off her feet by the vision of a dream coming true.

I love the motto of Shomi: Where anything is possible. I love that celebration of exploring new worlds, re-envisioning new ways of looking at this one. And l love the idea of change exploding your old world apart, bringing something new to life.

You might know that Aerosmith song: “It’s amazing…in the blink of an eye, you finally see the light…” It’s good to take your time, take a deep breath – because you never know when you will actually break through. And you want to be ready. Despite all my fussing and scheming and furious scribbling, when the moment of change came, I was caught unprotected, supremely vulnerable. Vulnerable is good. But knowing you’re ready is also good. Because, honestly, anything is possible.

Thank you Erica for celebrating with me!

So, gang, ask her anything you want about the book, Shomi, or the wild ride of selling your first book. And . . . is that not the most Zen, cool "call" story?

AND . . . I have to say, Michele wrote me on a day I felt so low. And here she has shared about those moments of "breakthrough." Being a writer is really a tough gig. I don't have to tell you that. Published authors have their share of "those days." (Add a Demon Baby and . . . well, I don't have to describe what bird seed dumped into a keyboard results in.) And unpubbed authors are often bravest of all. You're waiting, often for events you can't control. And so we each take those bits of encouragement where we find it. So what encourages you on your journey?

Finally, visit www.michelelang.com. And please, talk to her here today. Everybody only has one "first book," one "first call." I'm so honored she's sharing her release day with us. And the book is AWESOME! I can't wait for my son to read it.