I could not resist asking Robin Gaines for permission to repost
this piece about every author’s worst nightmare: ANOTHER BOOK HAS YOUR TITLE!!
ALICE ADAMS AND ME
By Robin Gaines
“You can be the moon
and still be jealous of the stars.”—Gary Allen
Dear Alice Adams:
You don’t know me, but I’ve been stalking you on the
internet like a creepy, jealous girlfriend ever since I found out your debut
novel, Invincible Summer, is coming out in June. You see, my
debut novel, Invincible Summers, (yes, my Summer is plural)
will be published in June, too. What are the chances? What are the odds? I
don’t know about your manuscript, but mine sat in a drawer for several years
without sunlight?
Through primitive detective work (Google) I discovered that
not only are you gorgeous (author photo), and smart (BA in Philosophy from the
University of Bristol and MA from the University of Manchester), but your
publisher, the Hatchette Book Group, says your book is “breathtaking in scope,”
and “sure to be the book of the summer.”
Not that I thought my book would be the “book of the
summer,” but I did cringe, then sulk, then whimper a little visualizing family
and friends buying your book instead of mine. Alice Adams? Maybe that’s
a pseudonym Robin forgot to tell us about. Or having someone put both
titles up on social media with everyone weighing in. Like what version of the
song, “A Natural Woman,” is better? Or what Kardashian has the biggest
(nicest?) ass, and including Rob?
Do you remember in the spring of 2013 when Life
After Life, Lthe title of both Kate Atkinson and Jill McCorkle’s
books, were released within a week of one another? I love both author’s work
and thought, Ugh, that has to suck. Who’s not doing their job at the publishing
houses? Stuff happens, I guess. My book was picked up last year by the indie
publisher, ELJ Publications, and I couldn’t be happier over their enthusiasm
for my work. And we’ve already established how Hatchette, a much larger
publisher, is loving on your book. Let’s just say we’re both pinching ourselves
to have such spirited cheerleaders. Am I right?
I’ve preordered your book and can’t wait to read it. But I
have to be honest; I wished your Invincible Summer had
vampires or superheroes, so the fear of comparison wouldn’t exist. Instead, it
appears our characters and themes are more similar than not.
We both use the Albert Camus quote, In the depth of
winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer to
kick off the general mood.
So, there’s that. Then the tagline from your publisher:
“Four friends. Twenty years. One unexpected journey.” My story centers on
Claudia Goodwin’s crazy journey over seventeen years.
“The courage we find within ourselves to keep going in the
most difficult of circumstances is one of the central themes,” you said in an
interview. Ditto for Claudia.
You went on to say, “It’s also about sex, politics, drugs,
religion.” And, “. . .growing up, moving on, and finding your way back home.”
Amen. We must have had sister muses looking over our shoulders while writing
our books.
I’d like to think we both have similar aesthetics in what we
like to read and how we see the world. I’d like to think that one day we’ll
meet and share stories of our own particular journeys. Celebrate each other’s
birthday with a card. Become Facebook friends. Is this weird? Do you ever get
to Michigan? Or I could have an excuse now to visit London more frequently if
we become BFFs.
Okay, I’ll settle down.
Writing to you has been cathartic. I think my worry-wart
thoughts of yours versus mine have subsided. Now it’s about
enjoying the ride and making new friends along the way, and I hope you are one
of them.
Thanks, Alice, for reading this far and letting me vent.
All the best to you. Good luck with your Invincible
Summer.
xo
Robin Gaines
Robin Gaines
P.S. Do you have a title yet for book #2? And what’s it
about? My second book is nearly done. Jeez, what if . . . . . . No! What are
the odds, what are the chances it happens a second time?!?
Read more about Robin Gaines and HER Invincible Summers: http://www.robingaines.net/
