Yesterday I had an encounter with a book I wrote that altered my priorities.
Right now, I'll tell you, I've been on a quest to revisit all of my literary properties, in order of publication, and determine the next step for each. I am currently quite far along putting together a definitive re-release of "The Rainbow-Colored Sheep" that should be out very soon. Everything in The Great Debate is so relevant to our times; more relevant now, in fact, than when it was originally published several years ago. I am working on bringing this book back into the public eye for this very reason.
The book I ran into yesterday, however, was not The Great Debate, nor was it Cry, Wolf, the book I planned to revisit next and sequelize. It was my most recent book: Metrognomes. My sister, who has recently taken a job with the soon-to-be-open library in Wylie, Texas, in her research of other libraries, noticed that Metrognomes was in circulation outside of Wylie. She requested the book through the Dallas library system, and I went with her, not realizing what she was picking up. It was exciting to see my book preserved in a library. It struck me as immortalization. I could tell the book had been read at least once. Beyond that, I thought nothing of it.
To my embarrassment and chagrin, my sister insisted on telling the librarians that her brother had written the book and asking about its circulation. I was horrified. Surely, the book had only been checked out once, and they would see I was the author and pity me when they delivered the news of the books dismal appeal in the Dallas library. I had to do a double-take when the truth of the matter was revealed. I thought I'd misheard the number. The librarians actually appeared impressed with my sister for being connected to this particular author. The circulation of Metrognomes, as it turned out, was quite consistently high, and had been since it's acquirement in 2009. The book is almost always checked out. In other words, in the Dallas Public Library system, the book is a considerable hit. *Author beams with unexpected pride* :)
Considering this, and the fact that this has happened with absolutely no marketing whatsoever, I realized that going through my properties in release order might be foolhardy. Metrognomes is hot in at least one library system. It has the potential, therefore, to be a success wherever it appears. The cover and the synopsis, a quick flip-through to Molly Brimer's wonderful illustrations, are truly selling the book without any help. Imagine what could be done with marketing; and my plan for the year already involved creative marketing of my properties. Also, I felt a sudden responsibility to move Metrognomes up on my agenda. Young people are reading this book, which promises itself as the first in a five book series. I want them to have these books while they are still young. I want to get the second book to these readers as quickly as I can. After all, the subsequent episodes have been written in my head for some time, and demands for the second Metrognomes have begun to rival demands for the second Cry, Wolf novel, which made no promise of a sequel as it ended. (Fear not, werewolf fans, there will in fact be one.)
Taking all of this into account, I have decided to put the Metrognomes saga at the forefront of Clark Ink's new agenda. I'll remind you, it takes time to put such books together; there are illustrations to consider, and I'll have to approach Molly about the next one. It took her six months to do the illustrations for the first, so we'll give her the time she needs, because she did such a wonderful job. I think the fact that you're reading the book, that you're enjoying her work, will help sway her if there's any doubt as to whether or not she'll be on board for Book II. Aside from shifting Metrognomes forward, I will continue to revisit my stories in order, so the next werewolf novel has only been push back a single project slot. It was going to be the very next novel I wrote. I just feel it's important to capture the energy of Metrognomes while it's rising; the novel is an unfinished, or "living," story after all. Cry, Wolf was finished; the sequel an after thought--a brand new story. I don't feel it has been as painful to readers to wait for the next installment of that series as it has regarding Metrognomes. I will get to them all in time, if time enough exists. :) As for right now, I'm very excited about Metrognomes, Book II: Aradia's Wand. I'm going to get to work on the outline and take some time as soon as it's finished to write and write and write.
Thanks for reading. :) I do it all for you.
