Spring’s tempers

The last ten days of May have been rocky temperament-wise, from good, and some not-so-good news I received all at once. It resembles the weather moods that keep alternating rain, wind, sunny periods, and any combination of the three during a single day, at irregular intervals. An unstable springy time of the year that alone would upset my emotions.

The positive news was the arrival of the new baby in the family, my nephew’s baby boy, born on 18 May 2019, and, all the subsequent cheerful labor that a tiny new comer demands: the joy to buy the bits and pieces required for his comfort, the carefulness of handling, feeding, changing, fondling and watching over him by the proud parents, the grandparents and all the members of the family; all the such people and the close friends, carrying tens of little cuddling toys and saying that these are fit for the baby, but all expressing their delight for the arrival.

The other news that somewhat upset me, was, not so much that I have not still had any offer for representation for my debut novel, which I am trying to keep my optimist intact and not to think a lot about it. But, there was a request from a small U.S.A. publisher to read the manuscript without any promise for publication. I sent an email asking about their procedures after they read it, and got absolute silence about it, what so ever. This reminded me of another publisher a year ago, one of those termed as ‘vanity’, or hybrid publishers, who admitted that they would publish only if the cost is shared with the author, and of course not guaranteeing any promotion of the book. It is not opportune to reveal names, I understand firms try to persist by cutting costs and the publishing industry is not what it used to be twenty years ago.

I have often clarified to all asking about it that I seek a traditional publisher, and if I don’t find one, I’d wait when and till I have the means to perhaps publish my manuscript myself, for example with Amazon as some people have done so. Yet, an Irish friend, who I suppose was fed up to  occasionally listen to my grumbling when in search of an agent, said that I should send the manuscript to that USA publisher and see what would happen. Not liking her easy-coming suggestion, I’ve asked an internet friend, an author herself with experience on it, who has impress me with her open courage to oppose current USA migrant policy; she advised me to ask the said publishers for their terms, once more.

So, I have done so; I sent another email with the explicit request to know of their terms, but there was still no reply, perhaps avoiding any commitment in writing. But, it indicated to me that there would be little worth to pursue further communication with them, and, in a nutshell, it meant that the risks might be greater than those I am prepared to accept.

To lessen my frustration I am focusing on my second novel, the writing of which goes as smoothly as I would wish it to be, if, however, I exclude a period of forty days or so that I have experienced something of a ‘cerebral holiday’, if such a thing exists, during which time I  took long walks, spring-cleaned the house, exchanged heated views on Euro-elections with friends and read Stephen King’s latest book, ‘Revival’.

Now, June has started hot with only some sporadic short showers that are not able to moderate the high temperature for more than half an hour; so I use the air conditioning system to fight the heat drowsiness and to cool myself at home; this somewhat diverts desires for summer holidays by the sea (which would surpass the affordable costs in my June budget), and get the productivity of ideas and plots running towards completion of my book: Well, back to my typical routine of, writing some, editing some when feeling any mind blockage, and continue afresh with the story the next day.