Saturday, October 2, 2010

I landed a BOOK DEAL!



And the Winner Is... Eric Trant!

I landed a book deal!

This morning I got a call from Debrin Case over at Open Heart Publishing letting me know I had received the book deal he was offering to one of his short story authors.

"Yes, I have some books," I told him, when he asked.

"Good," he said. "Have one to me by December first."

Now I have to edit those pieces -- again -- and figure out which is the best one to put out for publication.

Do I keep working on my current piece, which is about 12kw along, add some sections to that novella I wrote in the spring, re-write that horror from a few years back, hit that trilogy I got bogged down in, or finish that fantasy novel I stopped working on a while back? Or maybe go with that lit-fic-fantasy I wrote last year, the one my wife likes because I based one of my characters on her.

Or maybe take the easy way out and do a short story compilation... (not my first choice).

I think, instead of thinking on this too much, I'll relax today and think on it tonight while I sleep and have an answer by morning. My brain works like that, by osmosis. All my good stuff occurs while I sleep and I forget it all the next morning, except for the really, really good stuff, which somehow floats close enough to the surface for me to scoop out and keep.

I would like to thank a couple of my fellow bloggers, though, for reviewing and promoting An Honest Lie Vol 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child.

Mesmerix over at Scribbler to Scribe wrote a solid review. She's one of those people who gives more than she takes, which is especially a good thing if you're a boxer, except she's a writer and editor and legal advisor in foreclosure and bankruptcy. She inspired that Pay It Forward post I put up a while back, owing to her generous nature, and I hope some of her generosity rubs off on me.

I also hope to learn, via osmosis, some of her editing tricks.

Donna Hole, whose punchiness is always a welcome respite from the more timid bloggers we read and love. Donna is unapologetic in her opinions and her critiques and that deep-throaty voice that keeps its tongue bit back one or two words short of one-word-too-far. I do believe that the very first post I received from Donna mentioned how I had head-skipped POV in a scene I posted up for a blogfest, and she caught the fact that I lied to the reader. "Lie to the characters but not the reader," she wrote.

And she's right, you know.

In any case, there it is and here you go. I have a book deal.

Coming in Spring of 2011...


- Eric

34 comments:

Cherie Reich said...

Congrats!! That's great!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats, Eric!!!!

Jessica L. Brooks (coffeelvnmom) said...

Wonderful news, Eric! Congrats! And yes, I think you should relish in the excitement of it today. Work can start tomorrow. =)

Jessica

dolorah said...

Awesome!!!

I am so pleased for you Eric. This news truly makes my Saturday wonderful. I love to hear how my friends got a book deal.

Really; my first comment was a critique? (lol) Well, you took it well. Thank you for the shout out :)

You are such a versatile writer Eric. Its all so intriguing. If a humble (hehehe) reader can vote though; your horror is deliciously chilling.

Whatever you choose to work on and send out will be amazing, and exactly the right choice for you.

Have a stress free, relaxing day :) You're going to need it for the coming project.

......dhole

Just Another Sarah said...

Oh, my gosh! Congratulations! Hooray!!!!

Misha Gerrick said...

Oh my word congratulations!

The osmosis sounds like a good idea. This is going to be a big decision, and rushing into it in a few hours isn't wise.

All the best!

Anne Gallagher said...

Congratulations, that's the best news!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Indeed, this is excellent new, Eric.

Trust your instincts. Period. They are nearly always right, tapping into your unconscious observations.

In war, soldiers learn to do that in order to survive.

Short story compilations put off many would-be readers. Who wants to invest time, learn to like the characters, only to be drop-kicked to the next story that may not appeal to you?

Lit-fic fantasy is hot right now as is observed by THE PASSAGE by Justin Cronin. And it is completed, which the others are not.

It is easier and faster to revise a manuscript already completed than rush through any manuscript still incomplete and rough.

And it has the reader appeal of having a character based on your wife, which can be inserted in the back jacket cover blurb. A great percentage of readers are women these days, Eric.

And studies have shown that women readers are more apt to take a chance on a new author than males.

You must do what feel right to you, Eric. Trust your instincts. They are seldom wrong if you listen to them clearly, blowing away the filters of fear, doubt, and hesitancy.

Always in your corner, Roland

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Wonderful news. You better pick one you love and...love to edit. It will show.

Wine and Words said...

WooooHooooo! Go Eric :)

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Eric, a wonderful result!

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Eric: I've spent the better part of an hour trying to purchase "An Honest Lie". Their website is frightfully dysfunctional as is their shopping page. I was trying to buy the ebook and they wanted me to pick the country where I lived, (why? I don't know), and then my only option was the U.S.

It does not bode well if these books are that hard to buy.

Any advice?

Eric W. Trant said...

Thanks all for the comments! I'll be stopping by your blogs soon.

Debrin said the site for purchasing is down and to try emailing here:

sales@debrincase.com

Wendy, it does not bode well but we'll work it out. It should be point-click, I agree completely.

- Eric

Mia Hayson said...

Congratulations! This is such great news!

Lady Legacy said...

Yay! That is SO awesome!

*clapping excitedly*

congrats!

~Michelle

Stephanie Lorée said...

Eric: I am beyond thrilled for you! I can't wait to buy a copy and pester you about signing it. If you need another set of eyes for edits, you know my email. I'm volunteering my generous nature to your cause. Because, well, that's how I roll.

Big congratulations!

Myne said...

Congrats Eric, this is such good news!

Cherry said...

Congratulations Eric!!!!

Jonathon Arntson said...

Awesome!! Have fun with the editing.

Charity Bradford said...

Congratulations! I say, pick the one that resonates with YOU the most.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Well that's VERY exciting! Congrats! And please keep us posted. :)

Jai Joshi said...

Eric, this is so cool! Massive congrats!

Really, I'm so happy for you. I'll echo Roland here and say that you have to trust your instincts in choosing which story to put forward. Your gut will know so trust it.

Again, massive congrats on landing a book deal!

Jai

Unknown said...

Brilliant news - simply brilliant!

Well done, Eric.

Congrats!

Tara said...

Congrats, Eric. It's well deserved. I've been hooked since the first piece I read here!

Eric W. Trant said...

Thank you all for the responses!

Might have to host a blogfest to celebrate.

Heck, might have to participate in a blogfest to celebrate. I've actually been ~working~ (and writing) these past few weeks, rather than farting around on blogger!

;)

- Eric

Just Another Sarah said...

I'll have to take part in your blogfest, too! Mine will be announced soon...

Raquel Byrnes said...

Yay! That is so awesome, Eric! Congratulations. Can't wait to hear what you decide to turn in...relax and bask in your success...then get to work! =)

Edge of Your Seat Romance

Phoenix said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

(sorry for the yelling. But I'm excited for you!!)

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

Golly gee whiz, I was away this weekend and you went and got a publishing deal. YEEEEHAAAAAA!

Dude? You rock! I'm so happy for you. Roland made a solid observation. Whatever you do, it'll be awesome.

Way to go! that rebel, Olivia

Jai Joshi said...

You have an award at my blog!

Jai

... Paige said...

that is great news! I just following Jai around.

I think the word ~ osmosis ~ is funny, so thanks for using it

have a nice day

Brandi Guthrie said...

That's awesome! Congratulations! And don't stress, you'll figure out which book to send!

Anastasia V. Pergakis said...

Way to go Eric! I'm so happy for you!

Unknown said...

Eric, that is FANTASTIC!!

Your news has made my day. So thrilled for you :)