This is part of the Bittersweet Book Launch case study, where Dan Blank and Miranda Beverly-Whittemore share the yearlong process of launching her novel. You can view all posts here.
by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
“Part coming-of-age story, part riveting mystery, Bittersweet is a tantalizing tale of an outsider thrust into a glittering world of immense privilege and suspect morals. With a narrator torn between uncovering one family’s dark secrets and protecting her own, Bittersweet brilliantly explores the complicated question of what price any of us would pay to seize the life of our dreams.” -Kimberly McCreight, author of Reconstructing Amelia
I’m thrilled about the quote that just came in today from my friend Kim, who I know originally not from writing, but from fellow Brooklynite mommydom (my sister also made her book trailer). Kim’s someone whose perseverance I greatly admire (Reconstructing Amelia is the fifth book she’s written and the first she’s sold); her road to publication was a long one, but she kept at it, nose to grindstone, and that determination has translated into unbelievable success (Nicole Kidman, anyone?).
Of all the people I’m asking to blurb my book, Kim is the closest friend, but that didn’t in any way diminish my nervousness (in fact, I find asking friends for professional favors makes me jumpy; I’m always sure they’re going to reveal some hidden loathing for my work, which, you know, makes friendship a bit awkward from then on out). Also, what if she said yes and then I just never heard from her? How would I be brave enough to prompt her? What if she just replied, “I hated it?”
Luckily, it sounds like she didn’t! Beyond that, she was prompt and quick and just as friendly as ever. I’m counting my lucky stars that I have two such great quotes from writers I so admire this early in the game. Thank you, Kim and Kate!