Why Deadlines Were Created
If there were no deadlines, some authors would never stop writing and rewriting their books.
I was supposed to turn in my revisions on my next book, "Good Manners For Nice People Who Sometimes Say F*ck," on Friday. I was prepared to do that -- in concept. But it turns out that there's a holiday on Monday (for people who work normal jobs), and I never heard back from my editor on Friday. My agent decided that I have until Tuesday to turn in the book.
I decided that my editor, realizing that writers are terrible at predicting when they can get stuff in, told me Friday, thinking that if he told me Tuesday, I'd get it in the next Friday.
So, I woke up at 5 a.m. today and kept going through the book. The cool thing is, and I say this as somebody who's constantly worrying that things aren't good enough, with a little distance from the chapters, I'm reading them and thinking, "Hmm, this is pretty good." Which is seriously cool.
I can't wait for all of you to read this. My publisher, St. Martin's, has been amazing, and they've done a truly clever cover and I can't wait to show it to you -- which I will do as soon as I can. As soon as it's in their catalog. (It's coming out in Spring 2014, as far as I know.)
Can't wait! I enjoyed your last book thoroughly!
crella at October 12, 2013 9:01 AM
I hope you are right. I don't know of any place closed on Monday for a holiday that is not a government entity or a bank.
The Former Banker at October 12, 2013 9:50 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/10/12/why_deadlines_w.html#comment-3974803">comment from crellaThank you so much, Crella -- means a lot.
Amy Alkon
at October 12, 2013 10:14 AM
When I lived in CA, I never had Columbus Day off...not even when teaching. Now that I live in MA, I have had the day off with two separate companies and it is the norm here...not the exception.
I'm looking forward to the new book too! And it certainly is cool that you feel so good about the book!
MargB at October 12, 2013 3:07 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/10/12/why_deadlines_w.html#comment-3975483">comment from MargBIt is amazing, considering.
The reason this isn't an egotistical post is that I am always worried that my writing isn't there yet, isn't good enough. I guess this keeps me from degenerating into hack-hood.
Anyway, it takes a while for your editor to read the manuscript after you turn it in, and because we hadn't heard anything (my agent and I), I started to worry that they would ask for their money back. (I knew better to confess this to my agent, who would have laughed at me for being an idiot, but I did confess it after she sold the audiobook, which happened about a month after I'd turned in the manuscript. The audiobook editor's words about the book were so complimentary, I was thrilled and realized maybe people would think it was good.)
Amy Alkon
at October 12, 2013 4:14 PM
I look forward to reading this! And I hope you get to feel "done," at least in the moments right before you hit the send button and immediately thereafter.
Michelle at October 12, 2013 6:10 PM
Amy, I'm looking forward to meeting you at an LA-area book signing. Please keep us posted about those events. :-)
qdpsteve at October 13, 2013 12:52 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/10/12/why_deadlines_w.html#comment-3977327">comment from qdpsteveAww, thanks, qpdsteve -- means a lot.
And now, Nap II -- before getting back to the column, and then the radio show, and then more editing of the book!
Amy Alkon
at October 13, 2013 2:09 PM
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