By Anita Garner
University of Alabama Press moves forward with production of my book scheduled for Spring, 2021. This book still feels like a miracle, considering how many decades the story waited for me to finish writing it.
Book publishing is a long process. It’s complicated and sophisticated stuff and for me every stage is exciting. I plan to keep enjoying it. I can’t think of a different way to say “uncertain times” “unprecedented” or “challenging” so let’s just say everything about book tours, appearances and marketing in general continues to shift. The new approach may be a marathon rather than a sprint.
My heart goes out to writers whose books were released earlier this year, who had extensive appearances confirmed, then, poof, all gone. I have heaps of admiration for authors who bestirred themselves to find ways to connect with people who really want to read what they write.
Who knows how we’ll meet readers in 2021? However we decide to connect to discuss The Glory Road: A Gospel Gypsy Life, I’m looking forward to it. Meanwhile, I’m going to keep enjoying this cover.*
******
*Lori Lynch, Senior Designer, University of Alabama Press
I didn’t know about the Rosanne Cash endorsement. How wonderful. It all is. I’m excited with you.
We’re all thrilled! Rosanne’s a mensch in addition to her brilliant singing, playing, writing and everything else she does so well.
This is all so fabulous! I am so excited. I reread some of the proofs you sent over the years and got excited over them too.
You’ve been there since before the beginning of the beginning. Lovely that we’re still hanging out together – on opposite coasts, but together – all these decades later. Boston celebration coming up! In person hugs and everything.
It has been SO long! You were working on it when I left Sacramento in 2004. It’s becoming real, now. I never doubted it would but also would never have guessed it would take such a long time. Congratulations!
Ah yes, my Glory Road marathon! I started with short stories, then a book, then met an agent and director who could put it onstage, so stopped and wrote a play, then that was performed and decided to rewrite that – but always, always, I knew it was going to need to be a complete book. I promised myself and Leslie Ray and here it comes. Along the way I learned traditional publishing generally takes about 18 months to 2 years from the time the manuscript is acquired to publication. So, even though the gestation was forever – the publishing’s right on schedule.
Wow, just wow! Amazingly wonderful!
Rob, ain’t it the truth! I am one fortunate Jones girl.