Yesterday on my website (www.jamesmelzer.net) I announced the news that I had been holding in for weeks now. That I have sold The Zombie Chronicles Trilogy to Permuted Press. I didn’t want to say anything until it was all in writing, the contracts were signed and dropped in the mailbox. All that is done with! Now the work begins.
So how does it feel? Well, when I first received the offer I was ecstatic, of course. After 31 years of dreaming of becoming a published writer, all my dreams are coming true. Because I received the deal a few weeks back though, its had lots of time to sink in. Yesterday was for me, yes, but it was more about sharing my joy with everyone else. With the listeners and the people who have supported me through thick and thin. There’s not many but let me just take a second and mention some names:
My mother (of course)
Karen Labern, my dear friend of 11 years who has seen me through a lot of shit in my life.
Kim Kidd, the person who gave me a place to stay when no one else would. We’ve been through a lot too. Some of it good, some of it bad, but we’ve always been there for one another.
My brother, Tavis. We’ve had out ups and downs too but blood is thicker than water.
Last but not least there is the love of my life, Corinne. We knew each other years ago in high school and reconnected early in 2008. Since then her support has been a constant in my life. She knew I would do it and she was right. I did it baby!
There’s not a lot. They say that you can count the number of good friends that you’ve had in your life on your fingers and that statement rings true for me. There are the people who have popped into my life and have shared their support as well. Co-workers, my roommate Nikki and more, but the people mentioned above have a special place in my heart and will never be forgotten no matter what.
Now…down to business.
The first book isn’t written yet. I have 6 months to complete it and send it off. Don’t worry, it’s not going to take me that long. I can already feel the pressure mounting though. The fact is that yes, I have been writing for a very, very long time but I’ve never sold a short story, never placed my writing in any kind of periodical–nothing. All of a sudden I find myself with a 3-book deal. I just hope I can live up to the expectations and success that TZC as a podcast, has become.
There’s going to be highs and lows over the next couple of months, they are to be expected. You know what though? I welcome them.
As I said to a friend last night,
“We’re fucking WRITERS! How cool is that!”
It is cool and yes, I am a writer.
Filed under: Writing | Tagged: Friends, Permuted Press, Publishing, The Zombie Chronicles
As a newer fan I feel like I have come in on the end of a train that others have been riding for a long time, but still I feel immense joy at hearing that you have finally achieved this dream. I can only imagine how “high” you must feel. I am truely happy from the bottom of my heart that a beautiful soul such as you has seen this success. I say this as the receipient of one of your most beautiful works of art( to me atleast) the blog you wrote about my horrible drunken rant on twitter. You handled that with such kindness and beauty and I thank you. I will wish you much JU JU
in the coming months while you try to travel this exciting and scary road of novel writing. Good luck!! Enjoy!! And never forget your dreams.
JU JU Baby!!!!!!!!!
James this was very well written and I am so happy and proud of you.
I wish tons of happiness and success and its so nice to finally see your dream come true. You deserve every bit of success you achieve.
Well done kiddo.
You know who..