Thanks for the heads up, Michael.

Hi Chickin,

There isn't too much to report, but I'll give you a rundown on how it's gone so far just to give you an idea of how it works.

Basically, for the first three months or so after I won, very little happened, apart from the book being slowly listed on all the various bookseller websites (Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles, etc) with no information or book cover, and me providing them with a bio, blurb and completed author questionnaire to help plan publicity.

It was only November when it got going. Firstly, the cover, which I totally love and can be viewed here (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12925656-apocalypse-cow), was finalized. Then I got some suggestions from my editor, and embarked on a rewrite, which took about two weeks. They were happy with it, so then all I had to do was write acknowledgements and the dedication. Now the book will be copy edited for typos, and then I'll get proofs to approve at some point early next year, I expect, since the publication date is May 10.

I imagine serious publicity won't kick off until close to the release, most likely when they have advance reader copies available. They want me in the UK for two weeks around the release date, but I still don't really know what it entails.

Apart from all that, what has been going on in the background are negotiations to sell foreign rights, which apparently have been going well. But again, nothing has been finalised.

I think that's about it. I guess it will feel more real when I have a copy of the book in my hands, and when there is something to sell. It is available for pre-order on Amazon, but obviously nobody is going to buy a book without even a blurb, so it's just a waiting game at the moment.

Cheers,
Michael.

Congratulations, Michael. That is some win! the long and the short of it

Hey Michael,

I just noticed this post thank you for bringing it to our attention. I would love to submit something but I think this is a little to early in the day for me. Perhaps next year, if they do it again.

All the best with your novel, hope it does well! :D

Charlie “One can be instructed in society, one is inspired only in solitude.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe