It’s been one year since Stealing Nasreen went public. I realized it on Thursday, when I was listening to Matt Galloway on CBC’s Here and Now at 4:30 in the afternoon, the same time-slot during which I was interviewed last year, just before the big launch at Trane Studio. My heart sped up, feeling nervous and wistful for my newbie author self, the person I was a year ago. I’ve learned so much about what it means to be an author this year.
A few highlights:
-I’ve toured across the US and Canada, visiting 20 cities and doing over 40 readings
-I’ve spoken to dozens of media folk, felt the embrace of countless readers
-I’ve had hands-on training, learning what it means to be a self-promoter, organizing most of my own readings by sending thousands of e-mails, and making a hundred of cold calls
–Stealing Nasreen went into its second printing, exceeding the publisher’s expectations and my own
This year has also been a fruitful one for me as a writer. Having one successful novel out raised my confidence, and made my writing more assured and smooth. I received Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council grants for my second novel, which is now in its revision stage.
Thanks to my partner, friends, family, publisher, booksellers, media and readers for making this year such a successful one for me and Stealing Nasreen! I couldn’t have done it without you.