A day like today in 2012, I published my first novel, Corazón, muleta y estoque (Heart, Muleta and Sword). I wrote the
book in my early twenties, and it was edited by me and a Spanish friend.
At first, I wasn’t planning to publish
the book myself. Back then, I was still trying to sell my books to a publisher
or a literary agent. But I was rejected time and time again because my books
didn’t stick to one particular style or plot. I guess my books are ADHDers too.
I’m actually glad I took a chance and
published it myself. It found readers who loved the characters, and although
most of them hated the bullfighting aspect, they appreciated the family
dynamics and the backstage look at what it takes to run one of those ranches.
MariCarmen and Matías were inspired by
two of my favorite Spanish artists, Maribel Verdú and Miguel Bosé. When it came
time to choose a book cover, I wasn’t sure who to turn to, so I bought a stock
photo. Eventually, a very talented artist, Andrea Sosa, drew Matías’s
bullfighting costume, and Suzanna Smith — who has been with me as a cover
designer and artist for many of my books — designed the final cover.
Looking back on fourteen years, it
doesn’t feel like that much time has passed since publishing this book. But
when I look at my back catalogue, I can see the years in the stories and the
characters. Writing has always been fulfilling. It started as a way to have
something in common with my late father — a sort of “let’s emulate Papi” thing.
By the time I reached high school, it had become a passion I couldn’t shake.
Many sleepless nights followed, when I
just had to finish writing or typing and
wouldn’t go to bed until the roosters were crowing. Writing has been a release
for many things, none more than my newest book, Casa
de Ánimas — a book that helped me lay down ghosts from the past and move
on from painful memories.
Through writing, I’ve met wonderful
people — people who, like me, talk about characters and worlds as if they were
real. Authors and readers alike who have become good friends. Many have been
incredibly influential in my journey, none more than Raine Thomas, who was my
editor for Chronicles of the Interred,
and Suzanna Smith, my cover designer. These two ladies have been fundamental to
me in this journey, and I hope they know how much I appreciate them.
This has been long enough, so I’ll end
with this: I have so many people to thank for this job. Readers, of course, who
take in my characters and adopt them as their own. Fellow authors — cheering
each other on is one of the best things in life. My editor, Lily Luchesi, who
came into my life through K‑pop and whom I’ve decided to adopt as one of my
favorite nieces. My family and friends, who were cheering me on long before I
ever thought I could publish my books on my own. But it’s really not “on my
own,” is it? There’s a whole team of people who walk with me — alpha readers,
beta readers, editors, cover designers — all of you make this very lonely
journey feel like we’re partying like it’s 1999.
But there is one person I have to thank
above everyone else: my husband. Antoine and I met when I was in college,
trying my hand at acting jobs and dreaming of escaping to London to join the
RSC. He knew better than anyone that even though I was auditioning and
preparing for the day I might get a role, I also spent countless hours writing
by hand — sometimes with a torch so I wouldn’t keep him awake. When we had our
first child, he was the one who encouraged me to send my books to Spain to see
if I could find an agent or a publisher. When the rejection letters came, he
was the first to tell me that maybe I hadn’t messaged the right person, and
that with more research, I’d eventually find someone who believed in my books.
When self‑publishing became a thing, he was the first to remind me of my own
motto: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
This Friday will be our 27th wedding anniversary, and I can say without a
shadow of a doubt that he’s the best partner I could have ever dreamed of. I’m
lucky that G‑d blessed me with him.
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