Thursday, March 26, 2009

My First Time

I’m going to talk about firsts today. Nope, this isn’t going to be crass or me blathering on about naughty bits like I did in the previous post. This ‘first’ is about my experience involving me getting published.

So…my first book accepted for publication was “Call of the Hunted” a m/m fantasy novella. I was thrilled to pieces to get the email with the contract attached to it, let me tell you. I had been trying and trying for years with no success.

In fact, I was so thrilled I had ‘hit the big time’ and could now afford those dinners in Paris *chuckle* that I had to call my Mum. Unfortunately, I don’t remember phone numbers as such. People I call are just a single numbers on my speed dial. Mum is number 3.

I had pressed number 2 by accident without knowing.

So here’s me jabbering on about how great I felt that my book would be out soon and that I had been accepted and it’s a male/male romance blah, blah, blah! There was then silence and I couldn’t figure out why. It’s not like Mum to not say something. She would have been happy if I had tied my own shoes back when I was living at home. To hear of me having a book published should have sent her into a fit.

“Hello, Mum? You there?” I said, rather cautiously at this stage.

“Sir, I don’t think you have the right number,” a squeaky pre-pubescent boy’s voice stuttered.

“I don’t?” By this stage I could feel a wave of embarrassment wash over me. Who was this young lad who had answered my mother’s phone? And more importantly, I hope said young man understood I only write homoerotic fiction and I wasn’t coming onto him in any way shape or form.

“This is (insert pizza company name here). We only make pizza here.”

Oh darn! It clicked. I had pressed number 2 on my speed dialler and got the pizza shop by accident (You can see my priorities right away now, can’t you? Number 1 on my speed dialler is work, then the pizza shop, then Mum…LOL)

I then ordered pizza. What choice did I have? The poor boy at the pizza shop probably thought I was a raving lunatic…But there you go. That’s the life of a writer.

Mind you, eating pizza and downing a couple of beers is a great way to celebrate an upcoming publication, isn’t it? Cheers everyone. Hopefully next acceptance I don’t press number 4 on my dialler by mistake…that would be embarrassing *giggle*




*hugs*

Mark Alders.

7 comments:

Kathleen Scott/MK Mancos said...

I don't know whether to laugh or be in awe of the fact you actually ordered from them after your disertation. My reaction would have been to promptly hang up, hide in a corner, and hope to God my number didn't show up on caller ID. But that's just me. - Kudos to you! And congrats on the publication it really is the best feeling in the world - that first sale.

-Kate

Alisha said...

What a great story, Mark! I was laughing through all of it. That pizza looks truly yummy! I love hearing first sale stories. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Your life changes in an instant and you realize that your dream just became your reality. It's very cool, isn't it?

Sierra Wolfe said...

LOL Mark. I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything at the time, I would have spewed for sure! Your story totally cracked me up. Yeah, your pizza pic is making my stomach growl, I'm starving. Thanks for sharing and giving me a good laugh.

Debra Kayn said...

Too funny! I'm really curious though, who is on speed dial #4, because the next time you get contract #2, I've got to be ready for a hilarious post.

Thanks for the laugh, and congrats!

Gracen Miller said...

*dies laughing* This was hysterical. And I agree with Kate, I'd probably have hung up and hidden in a corner too, desperately praying they didn't have caller I.D.

Thanks for sharing this. I always need a good laugh.

Mark Alders said...

Thank you so much everyone for your wonderful comments :-) *hugs* to you all!

I am glad I gave everyone a chuckle or two. Oh, and number 4 on my speed dial is the local police station.

Talk to you all again next week.

Debra Kayn said...

Oh, that is rich! lol Hurry up now and get contract #2...I'll wait for an update.

Wicked Thorn and Roses © 2008. Design by :Yanku Templates Sponsored by: Tutorial87 Commentcute
This template is brought to you by : allblogtools.com Blogger Templates