What's in a name?
I've been talking about my forthcoming book, THE WORLD V. NATALIE GOLDBERG, to lots of folks as of late. Whenever I meet someone new who has heard I have a book under contract they ask, "Who is publishing it?"
"HarperCollins," I say.
Their face changes. Sometimes subtly, other times it's a full-on gape. "Wow," they say or "Ohhhh."
This is followed by, "So you're really getting published."
It's funny what a name will do. People recognize HarperCollins. Even folks who don't read much know the name. It makes me wonder if my book got bought by MacAdams/Cage or Grove/Atlantic, how the reactions might differ. A furrowed brow followed by a "Well, congrats!" or maybe a long silence and a "Huh."
Being published by a small or boutique press is no less really getting published than being published by a giant like HC or Random House, but I am not sure everyone sees it that way.
I have to admit it is fun to watch people's faces change when I invoke the name. It's as close to name dropping as I will ever get.
Comments
Hello Steph - congrats on THE WORLD V. NATALIE GOLDBERG. When can I expect it will be coming out? I'd be thrilled to buy it.
-Meredith
Posted by: Meredith Alba (Yauckoes) | July 28, 2006 02:39 PM
Meredith,
The book is slated for the spring/summer 2007 line. So, sometime between May and August. Congrats on the new name. Much easier to spell!
Steph
Posted by: Stephanie | July 30, 2006 04:05 PM