Hello all! I know we’d normally have a You Tell Me on Wednesday, but then the subject line would have been something along the lines of You Tell Me How You Like to Unwind After a Crazy Week of Lunches and Meetings, and, well, I didn’t know if that would be the most useful thread.
SO. Instead I thought I would generalize a bunch of separate conversations I’ve had and provide a vague “state of NYC editors” message. Tremendously helpful, I know.
Basically what I’m hearing from editors here is that everyone is sort of looking around wondering what the Next Big Thing is going to be. It’s been a while since THE DA VINCI CODE and THE LOVELY BONES and Harry Potter is done. The people who you’d expect to sell a bazillion copies are selling a bazillion copies, but there hasn’t been a megahit breakout in a while and I think people are playing the guessing game on who/what that is going to be.
There’s a lot of anticipation for the Justin Cronin books and everyone I know who’s read THE BRIEF, WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO is raving (I unfortunately left it on my nightstand in SF). But what is going to really break out in a major way? Not sure!
And that’s the vague, generalized message that I’ve gotten. I have to say this week has been so interesting and it’s been wonderful to see old friends and colleagues and meet new editors and pitch projects and have lunches and meetings and just wander around thinking, “Wow, I used to live here.”
But if you have any tips on how to unwind from an incredibly busy week….. I’m going to need them.
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Go home to a tired wife, three unusual kids and a full trash can? Oh, sorry, that’s my husband’s relaxation after a week of travel.
It’s good to know editors aren’t saying, “This year we’re buying cyber-paranormal-romance-with-cowboys-and-Iranians” and nothing else. Gives a girl hope.
Get a cold. A little Benedryl and a long afternoon nap and you’ll be back as good as new š
Nathan, the cross-country flight home might help you unwind. What are you going to read on the plane???
Hi Nathan,
Glad you’re enjoying New York so much. THE BRIEF WONDEROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO is by Junot Diaz, not Justin Cronin, no?
All the best.
Nathan, why aren’t we having lunch while you’re here? I’m a stone’s throw away from the New York Office! Seriously, my novel is going to be the next big thing…but nobody knows it yet, except me. I’m off to the post office. I’ll look for you….
Nathan, it seems the vampire trend is getting even stronger. And did you see in this week’s Publisher’s Weekly that another DA VINCI clone just got a nice deal? What ever happened to originality?
No such thing as relaxation in NYC, bro, I know, I’m from there.
What about a drive up the Hudson? The Sleepy Hollow Mansion? West Point? Apple picking?
Or if you’re stuck in town, how about a museum? Broadway show? Opera?
Anon. 10:13 – yup, it’s Junot Diaz
A long, leisurely walk in a beautiful setting – you have a lot of those in the Bay Area.
Failing that, beer.
Like Kim Stagliano, I am heartened to hear that editors are looking widely, not stuck on one “sure” thing. Because really, nobody knows what will break out. Breakouts often take editors by surprise, too.
Except for Green Ray’s book, of course. We all saw that one coming. š
You mean editors aren’t focusing on cyber-paranormal-romance-with-cowboys-and-Iranian books? Oh no, I’m scre…oh wait…my book is in the cyber-paranormal-vampire-romance-with-cowboys-and-Iranians genre. Whew.
Thanks everyone!
And Anon @ 10:13, the Justin Cronin book I was referring to was the forthcoming book that recently received a huge advance, and yes, OSCAR WAO is by Junot Diaz. Can’t wait to read it.
Personally, Nathan, I recommend you invest in a feather bed. Mine is my best friend after a long, hard day of 7th graders.
nathan, i suggest a newport harbour (the REAL oc) marathon. even tho the finale is tonight. =) yes, they are only high school kiddies, but did bh9 (that’s bev hills 90210) not rock?
or maybe that’s just me.
Nathan, go get a massage. You’ve earned it.
The next big thing will certainly not be what the last big thing was. Other than that, I have no clue as to what the next big thing will be. Our culture is funny like that.
Next big thing? Bush party-underage drinking-Jesus freak-teen depression-hair metal-dramacomedies!!!!
Yeeeeeaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!
Sorry I have no advice on unwinding from your week, unless you have a horse to brush or a dog to pat. Oh- I know- read!
I think we never know what the next big thing is until after the fact. Look how long it took each of the “next big things” to become big things.
It wasn’t overnight.
But it is fun to guess…
let me see…there is this book LOTTERY…
If you ask the Smart Bitches over on Romance Novel Reviews, they’d tell you the next big thing is GLBT Inspirational Erotica. Ha! 8^) Well, you’d have to have been there.
Or maybe a psychic Nancy Drew? That would be mine. Hey, Green Ray, scoot a cheek over on the next-big-thing bench, would ya?
As for unwinding, a week in Bend, Oregon, will do it. Guaranteed.
Batting cages. Nothing like a good crack to loosen you up.
Oh, they’re leaving room for me. How nice! ;o)
Nathan,
Once, you’re home, you need a trip to Napa (as a passenger) where you can sample some of the fine local wines. My favourite there is the Sattui winery- buy some bread and cheese, get a bottle of your favourite colour, and go relax on the lawn under the warm sun. I’ve had some great afternoons there.
-AM
October in S.F. means raptor migration. Go up to Hawk Hill on a clear day, sit there looking at the most amazing view of the Bay Area you can get, and take a gander at passing accipiters and such. Sitting near the shore does wonders to calm brain-clutter, and the high elevation at H.H. offers a phenomenal perspective on the coast and bridge.
Bring binoculars, a picnic, and a friend.
Sid Fleischman once said, “God’s gift to writers is the nap. I take one.”
I couldn’t say it any better myself.
Naps? Read books? Massages?
Hmmm…people forget you’re in New York, where you have all sorts of narcotics for relaxation purposes. Or prostitutes. Or you can hang out on a park bench for a few days and no one will notice.
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A cup of tea with a shot of Baily’s always relaxes me…
The next big thing is a hard call.
If anyone wants to discuss what makes a best seller, come on over.
I’m trying to recoup from flying home myself. From heat and humidity to fall and snow! Awww…I’m home.
Nathan – –
The recipe for unwinding from your incredibly busy week should include some good food, a bottle of wine and the right companionship.
Actually, Lottery IS an amazing book and full of heart. For sure one to add to the list of “must reads”. Gives you the warm fuzzies at the end of a hard day.
Ways to relax? In NYC??? That’s a joke, right?
Trying to find the next big thing always ends in failure. It wasn’t the writing of Harry Potter that made it big, it was the controversy. In fact word-of-mouth is likely a more important factor than anything the writer or editor does, and that can’t happen until after the book is published.
You guys all have excellent suggestions for relaxing. I could use it now because rainwater is pouring down my chimney and I’m taking a break from sucking it off the hearth (with a Shop Vac, you dirty minded Church Lady!).
verification word: lqfrd – how I feel right now.
Go hang out at that diner by the cliff house, Nathan, and then listen to and watch the crashing waves at the old Sutro Baths. That used to be my favorite unwinding sort of slow morning when I lived in SF.
But, like someone else said, alcohol also helps.