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Amazon Publishing acquires Go Away Home – I'm giddy!
By Carol / December 30, 2014 /
Have you ever thought you were as happy as you could be and then something happens to make you realize you could reach a whole new level of happy? It happened to me this month.
When I completed the manuscript for my World War One-era novel Go Away Home earlier this year, the thought of finding an agent and a publisher flashed through my mind for all of a nanosecond. Since publishing my memoir Growing Up Country seven years ago, I’ve been proud to call myself an indie author and an indie publisher. I didn’t hesitate to walk down the indie road again.
Then one morning – six months after I published – I opened an email from Jodi Warshaw, a senior acquisitions editor for Amazon Publishing. Warshaw said, Go Away Home “caught my eye because of all the rave reader reviews. Then I dipped in and couldn’t put it down!”
Warshaw wanted to talk about my interest in partnering with Lake Union “to see the sales match the review intensity.” She got my interest, all right. There’s no organization that knows marketing like Amazon.
I was thrilled – then skeptical. Could this be real? I contacted my go-to person for all things of this sort. Melissa Foster (best-selling author and founder of the World Literary Cafe) confirmed that, “This is great news.”
Lake Union Publishing
So I am pleased – thrilled – head over heels – over the moon (all cliches apply) to announce that Go Away Home has been acquired by Amazon Publishing and will be released under the Lake Union Publishing imprint in July 2015.
Between now and then, the manuscript will go through an Amazon team of editors (because good can always be better), gain a new cover, and a marketing team will prepare for the launch. All these people working on my novel makes me positively giddy. Can you believe it? I have “people.”
I haven’t made out a Santa wish list in decades. Even if I had made one this year, signing with a publisher would NOT have been on it. That would have been too unbelievable. While I don’t know everything this new affiliation will mean, I do know I’m excited by the opportunity to learn, and I couldn’t be happier.
I would not be here without all the support and encouragement of readers, of writers, of friends, of you. So, I thank you. And I wish you a joy-filled Happy & Healthy New Year.
Thrilling beyond words Carol. What a portentous omen for 2015. Rock on!
I’ll be learning a whole new way of doing things, Sharon. That alone is exciting to me. All the best to you.
Wow! What a great surprise gift, Carol! I’m delighted that Go Away Home will find a wider readership as it’s such an excellent book. Congratulations!
Thanks, Linda. I think for any of us, once we’ve written a book having it in the hands as many readers as possible is the goal. Amazon Publishing gives me the best chance of achieving that goal.
Congratulations on this fantastic achievement. Well deserved! Happy New Year!
Thank you, Paulette. Your support over the years has meant so much to me. All the best to you in 2015.
Carol – thanks for sharing your news. How exciting! I didn’t know deals like this really happen. I’m sure it’s well-deserved! Go, girl! I’ll cheer you on.
Michelle
I feel a bit like the aspiring actress sitting at a soda fountain counter and being discovered by the big-time movie producer. It’s the stuff of dreams.
That is so awesome and well deserved! The cream truly does rise to the top, and I’m so happy for you. Have a wonderful and Happy New Year! I’m sure you will. Congratulations!
Many thanks, Rachelle. Your formatting work helped ensure my book looked professional. I know that makes a difference to readers, reviewers, and (now) acquisition editors. The New Year is looking rosy, indeed.
Congratulations Carol! This is fabulous news. What a way to kick off the New Year. All the best for 2015. Hope it is filled with all kinds of blessings.
Thanks, Pat. My husband wonders when I’ll stop grinning. Maybe in 2016? I wish you all the best of the New Year, too. I trust we’ll stay in touch.
Congratulations Carol. I am delighted that you have achieved such success. This is really great news, and thoroughly well deserved. Well done.
As one of my beta readers, you deserve some credit for the success of Go Away Home, David. Your comments led me to do more work on the manuscript. Thank you.
Carol your fan club of many is thrilled beyond words to learn of this great accomplishment. To know the written word is still valued is inspiration for all of us. We are pre-ordering now!! Congratulations my friend.
A voice from my past. What a treat to hear from you, Linda. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for being among the first to sign up for the new edition. All the best to you.
Wow, Carol, this is fabulous news. Congratulations! You are a role model for all of us as you show how combining excellent writing, savvy marketing skills and persistence pays off in the long run. Thanks for sharing and showing us all the way. Happy New Year,indeed!
I thank you for your compliments, Kathy. I’d add a little luck to the list. There are so many fine authors – many among those who have commented on this post – it’s hard to pin down exactly why my book was plucked from the stack. Sure glad it did, though. Happy New Year to you, too.
You DO have “people,” Carol. Not only all these expert new ones but also all your blogging and author friends who spotted the quality of your books right away and are now standing in the front row applauding.
We will all watch with interest as we see what the mighty marketing of Amazon will do with a great book like Go Away Home. And we’ll all say, “I knew her when.” 🙂
You’re right, Shirley. I so value all the friends I’ve made in the course of writing my memoir and novel. It’s an honor to have other talented authors willing to read and provide honest feedback to improve my words. And so many more who read and review and share marketing expertise and shout encouragement. How blessed I am.
Congratulations — that’s fantastic!
Thanks, Laurie. It’s all good.
Con!gratulations, Carol!
Thanks, Joan. It’s going to be a fun 2015.
Congratulations, Carol! It looks like Go Away Home could become a bestseller.
This new development gives me the best chance I’ll have of reaching that status, Mary. I’m trying to manage my expectations on that score.
Wow – excellent news!! All the best as you continue the process and have a wonderful new year!
Thanks, April. I’m sure I’ll be learning a lot and learning new things is a top priority for me. A fantastic 2015 to you, too.
Congratulations Carol. This is wonderful news! Happy New Year.
Thanks, Elfrieda, and thanks for being a regular reader of my blog. Happy New Year to you, too!
A magnificent achievement, Carol! You’ve inspired me to keep working at my own books. All the best for 2015.
This experience reminds me never to say never. Good luck to you, Stephen. Have a wonderful year. You just never know what may happen.
I’m very happy for you Carol. What wonderful news for any author. Thank you for proving that our dreams can come true.
I really feel I’ve joined Dorothy in going over the rainbow with this experience, Margaret. Dreams can come true. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Fantastic new, Carol! I’m really happy for you!
Thanks, Paul. And thanks for reading.