Lament: Coming to a Store Near You

[cathschaffstump]

It’s a big, big day for Maggie Stiefvater, whose novel Lament comes out today. Maggie is truly an inspirational writer. I haven’t had the good fortune to meet Maggie yet, but I have to tell you how much she impresses me. In the writing world, it is so easy to spin, moan, and worry. I have never heard Maggie do this. Her journal is upbeat and positive, and she’s always talking about the possibilities, rather than the drawbacks. I’m sure she’d disagree with me about how she feels, but she looks great in cyberspace!

The story of Lament is the story of the discovery of a good book. Lament languished in the slush pile, and was rescued from there. Then Maggie found an agent (she had to choose from 4, if memory serves!). It goes to show you that there are all sorts of ways to get published if you are patient and bide your time.

Maggie inspires me to enjoy the ride. I’m an unagented soon to be published by small press writer. This is an okay place to be for now. Right now, my life is still flexible in regard to my writing. That’s a plus. I can still explore projects I want without publishing deadlines looming over me. That’s a plus. I am enjoying the submission process and the revision process. That’s a plus. I’ve got an opportunity to write a series for kids that might get bought for film. That’s a big plus! Thanks, Sonya!

I’ll eventually be somewhere else as a writer, and maybe even soon I’ll be an agented writer, but since life is uncertain, and publishing is full of bubbles that pop at a moment’s notice, maybe I’ll just appreciate what I’ve got. It’s an important thing for all of us to remember, no matter what we’re doing, no matter where we are in our life. Maggie, thanks for making me think of this!

Champagne to you, Maggie! You can read some of Maggie’s wisdom at David Bridger’s excellent blog.

***

Oh, and Neil Gaiman’s Graveyard book also comes out today. I was lucky enough to hear an excerpt of it at Fantasy Matters in Minnesota last year, and I’ve been looking forward to it since. However, I’m sure Neil’s machine will gear up to tell you all about it.

Me, I’m pulling for Maggie!

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.

Comments

[brian-ohio.livejournal.com]

Great post! I learned quite a bit about you, let alone Maggie.

I got to read an early, early version of Maggie's upcoming Shiver... so I can only imagine Lament must be awesome.

I'm gunnin' for Maggie, too.

[acusa-dora.livejournal.com]

Ooh, Danny will want the Neil Gaiman. (he got me into him too) I'll check out Lament as well. I'm glad that you find yourself in such a good place. You've earned it!

[kizmet-42.livejournal.com]

Do you have a link to her blog?

I have Neal Stephenson's Anathem sitting right beside me. Too many good books out there for me to keep up with.

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

How to get to Maggie Stiefvater:

m_stiefvater and

http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/

[david-bridger.livejournal.com]

Good post, you! And thanks for the link. :)

I got my copy of Lament today. Three chapters in and I'm hooked!

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

I'm really looking forward to it!

Catherine