Into the Trees / 1
So, here we are. Again ^^
The relief, this morning, is palpable. I have known for well over a month that yesterday was coming. A few people were in on the news before everyone else was at 10am. I have already lived all this once before, back in March 2025. This time, however, EVERYTHING is different, from the response my work has already received to the massively positive reaction the announcement got on social media.
Part of me had also given up the belief that I'd ever see this happen again. The pamphlet market is massively oversaturated, and the opportunities are SO few and far in between. Trying to land anything is an exercise not simply in being able to write decent poetry, but to combine marketing skills with a willingness to do everything in your power to make the work sell, often for minimal returns.
This time, however, I come to the table with an energy that is unquenchable.
An idea of what this sequence was created from...
In the months that follow there is a LOT to do. My youngest has been tasked with the job of producing the cover for FM, which we've spent time fleshing out: there have been several roughs and 'prototypes' already. Because they're two weeks into a year's worth of work experience for their degree we've set a notional deadline for the end of July for the Reveal. Watch this space.
The manuscript has not been touched since I got the rights back from Hedgehog Press in September 2024, so my job right now is giving it a revised dedication page and inserting some extra work into the mix. Barbara will be keeping people up to date on where we are with editing and typesetting and as there is a four month window between here and release, pre-sale copies will be available.
I don't simply want to sign these either. I'd like it to be more than that...
There will be two launches: one Virtual (at the end of October) and one Real Life (in November). One is booked, the other I'm waiting for an email back to confirm whether the person I'd like to MC the event is available. I've already asked someone to come read, and at the RL Launch I have the idea for something quite significant. It will, I hope, change a reading into performance.
Then, finally, there will be the short films, and for the purposes of advertisement in the time running up to publication, I'm hoping for at least three in visual format, considering the amount of work that was already done on these before it all went south the last time. All this will involve reconnecting with people I have not seen or spoken with for some time…
Everything is new and exciting and you will hear all about it in due course. :D
