The last few months have been a speedy blur of firsts for me: first time launching a book, first time on radio, first time on TV, first speaking engagement, first time creeping stealthily through the aisles of bookstores, eyeballing the shelves for my cover.
On the morning of launch day, I made a beeline for my one of my favourite city bookstores. In order to feel like a real published author, I needed to see my book on shelves. The Brunswick Street bookshop is a cosy little nest that I’d often visit for inspiration when I was writing my book nearby in Abbotsford. It’s my second home, my sanctuary, and I could think of no better place to make my debut as a lurking bookstore creep.
As I walked into the store, I covered my toothy smile behind an idiot’s smirk. I walked straight to the new-release section with my hands outstretched, ready to embrace my paperback. Ta-da! Here I am, baby! Your author!
I searched the shelves. Where is it?
I searched some more. Seriously, where the hell is it?
It wasn’t there.
(First time having my idiot’s grin melt rapidly while standing in my favourite least favourite bookstore.)
On the plus side, things could only go up from there. And oh how they did…
Here are my top ten highlights from the last few months:
1. The airport billboards
Caz Makepeace from yTravel blog spotted my book cover in all its backlit glory at the Qantas terminal at Sydney airport.
2. Giving Grisham the cold shoulder
Talk to the spine ’cause the face ain’t listening.
3. The time I rubbed up against Ellen
And Katherine Book and Sheryl Sandberg.
4. The time I took over iTunes
5. The moment I thought: Hey—I’m speaking in public and I am not exploding into a ball of flames and dying a slow, painful death from shame. I’m alive and well and I’m doing just fine!
6. Sharing the stage at RMIT with Graeme Simsion, author of the The Rosie Project
7. Being clustered together with these folks
8. Browsing for reviews
“The story of how DeRoche overcame her fears, her self-deprecating humour and her way with words would have been enough to make this a great story. The fact her Argentinian boyfriend combines the passion of a Latin lover with the grit and spirit of a Scandinavian seafarer makes this book a Hollywood dream come true.” Sydney Morning Herald
“Love with a Chance of Drowning isn’t just the best book I have read this year, or even in the last few years. It is, hands down, the best book I have ever read.” Riley Banks of The Writer’s Shack
“Wow, what a book. Exciting. Dramatic. Honest. Torre DeRoche is an author to follow.” Australian Associated Press
“You’ll get a lot of things out of this book, I promise you. You will ask questions about your own life, your fears, your ambitions and your spirit. But at its heart this is a love story that will keep you turning the pages and leave you feeling bereft as you finish the last line.” The Modern Women’s Survival Guide
9. Being read by little people—my niece and nephew
10. The time that Summersdale Publishers baked Love with a Chance of Cake
This happened in the UK, so I didn’t get to taste it.
In other news…
We’re less than three weeks away from launching in North America! The cover is completely different. It looks like this:
My US publicist has a box of advance review copies ready to send out now. If you’re a blogger and you’d like an advance review copy, please submit your details here.
You can also preorder the book on Amazon to have it delivered as soon as it’s out.
Torre DeRoche is the author of two travel memoirs, Love with a Chance of Drowning (2013) and The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World (due out September 2017). She has written for The Atlantic, The Guardian Travel, The Sydney Morning Herald, Emirates, and two Lonely Planet anthologies.
24 Response Comments
How exciting!
Loved the TV segment! You seemed super comfortable talking about all of those things.
I have to let you know that I’ve been waiting months and months and months for the North American release, so this is great news! Not as big a fan of the cover change, but the words will more than make up for it, I bet. 🙂
Oh Torre, it has been so much fun going on this journey with you. I have just finished reading the copy sent to me and will post my raving reviews later today! As I knew I would, I loved every minute on your pages, feeling all of the ups and downs … literally and figuratively! Well done you!
… er … make that rave reviews!
I can not wait to read your book!!!! Reading about how you got to this point has been so exciting already. Great build up to the launch, now I am dying to read the details of your amazing adventure.
Congratulations on all your achievements.
As one Australian writer wandering the world to another, I’d love to read your book.
Good luck with the US launch, it sounds as if you’ve got the whole show mastered. I look forward to hearing a lot more about you.
Awesome! Just AWESOME!
Big congrats, Torre! I’ve loved following your journey here on the blog and of course by reading your fantastic book. Enjoy the ride, the hard work is paying off!!!
So very exciting, I can’t imagine what it would have felt like seeing your own book on a billboard! Really love the U.S cover 🙂
Hi Torres looks like you’ve been having a ball now you’ve got over those initial butterflies. You must be made up with the response. congrats. I left my details for the Australian launch. Nothing turned up yet. I can “talk to the face” in a bookshop…unless your people could send me a copy?
Ahem.. I meant Torre (blames iPhone)
Congratulations on your launch! This was such a fun post to read. Capturing and embracing every moment with your community. Love it. Will definitely be adding this to my GoodReads list!
How exciting!! Will you be doing readings in NYC by any chance?? If so, I’ll be there, cheering you on and telling myself that I can overcome stage fright and publish a book someday too! 🙂
I had the incredibly good fortune of reading your book when you self-published on Amazon a couple of years ago. I cannot wait to own a paper copy – and that’s saying something, as I’m in a crazy minimalist phase, and getting rid of things hand over fist. 😉
Truly a wonderful book – the best I’ve ever read. And I’m thrilled to have a copy to keep for years to come. Congratulations!!
p.s. Whats next?? 😉
SO exciting. I hope to get a review copy (I filled out the form) so I can read it soon! I can only imagine how excited you must have been lately. So cool.
Congrats Torre! I can only imagine the feeling of stalking bookstores to get a peek at your very own cover. A dream come true! Keep living it. Will you be doing any touring in the states over the summer?
Oh I like both covers! Good luck with the US launch 🙂
Hi Torre, I have been reading your blog since last year and I look forward to every post. I just wanted to thank you and your publicist for sending me an advance copy. I submitted my information a few weeks ago, and just received my copy today. I’m so looking forward to reading your book. I write a food blog, but I have a feature on my blog where I write posts about my other passions and interests and I’m looking forward to telling my readers about your book. All the best to you and your well-deserved success!
No problem! I hope you enjoy it and I will look out for your review there.
You’re a true inspiration, Torre. I loved reading this post. And as for your favorite/least favorite bookshop, if they haven’t come to their senses yet it’s only their loss!
Hey Torre, I can’t wait to read it. A question though, why wasn’t the blue cover kept as it is? I love it!
Thanks! The blue cover still exists, but it’s for the Australian/NZ release, and also the UK release in July. This is the North American cover.
Hi Torre, I just wanted to say congratulations! I’ve just finished reading your book – could not put it down! My parents are currently sailing from the Marquesas Islands to Tahiti, after my dad and some friends sailed from Mexico to the Marquesas. I’ll join them at the end of the month for 3 weeks. I really had no idea what to expect but now I’m really excited after finishing Love With a Change of Drowning. I’m going to recommend it to my mom and anyone who will listen!
Any tips for an inexperienced sailor? The last time I sailed was at least 5 years ago from St Kilda to Williamstown with my dad – I had no idea what was going on and it doesn’t feature heavily in my favourite memories of father-daughter time! I’m hoping that the tropical conditions and a bit of maturity will make this trip one to remember for the right reasons.
Congratulations! Amazing achievement. I loved the humor in your post.