Tuesday, June 20, 2006

It's all about creating a karmic climate ...

Gettaloadathis! I've just rec'd an email from Orion - the parent company of Weidenfeld & Nicolson who published Nirvana Bites and Trading Tatiana. I haven't heard from them for nearly a year - since they decided not to renew my contract. She wanted to know if it was ok to use a photo G had taken of me for the Spanish edition!
Yes, indeed. I had to read the email several times to take it in. It seems Trading Tatiana is going to be translated into Spanish and published by El Tercer Nombre. What's really strange is that this was apparently negotiated last Autumn - but no one told me! If it wasn't for the business with G being the copyright holder of the photo, I wouldn't have known now either!
So why now? Well, I think it's all to do with creating the right karmic climate for things to happen. I've been amazed and uplifted by the wonderful levels of support I've received since I started blogging. You know how it goes - if you're feeling positive you attract good stuff.
I used to be part of a photography collective. For five years we worked together doing social documentary stuff for voluntary organisations and charities. At no point would we not have been better off signing on but we were doing something we loved and felt committed to. (Do you sense a trend here?) Anyway, sometimes we did very little work to be honest. Days could meander past filled with making silly audio tapes of darkroom noises and dressing up and taking bizarre photos. Then, after a bit, we'd shake ourselves up and decide to do some work - sorting files, printing up pix etc. Almost invariably, the phone would start ringing the same day and commissions would come in.
Which - in long and tortuous fashion - is the point I'm making. It's all about creating the karmic climate.
And - this at last is the REAL point - I couldn't do it without all of you.
Heartfelt thanks!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know, that's not just a trite observation like PMA (positive mental attitude), it really does work.

Trouble is you relax into that cool karmic climate and forget. Then it starts all over again and comes in, wave after wave.

I guess the answer is to learn how to surf.

Anonymous said...

That's really good news, Debi. And, I hope, something that will spur you on to more and greater things elsewhere, when it comes to the UK market. All the very best,
crimefic

Maxine Clarke said...

They have a pretty spiffing soccer team i am now aware....
good on you Debi.
Publishers, smublishers. Communication wouldn't be the strong point of a communication media business now, would it? (No, I know, I work for a publishing company).
Incidentally, try and crack the (in translation) Chinese market, lots of commercial opportunity there I am told.

Unknown said...

Love is all around us and so the feeling grows!!

Surfs up!

Lee said...

Terrific, Debi. And you're right. Somehow I now feel part of a small community. If I don't check my blogs first thing every morning and then at least once or twice during the working day, I get withdrawal symptoms.

Anonymous said...

Excellent news, Debi. Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

You've hit the nail right on the proverbial head there, Debi. Wouldn't it be brilliant if everybody had a positive mental attitude? I'm sure the world would be a very different place, then.

According to my doctor, my attitude is the main reason I'm alive now. That's a bloody big up for PMA if you ask me! (If anybody disagrees, I'll cry and it'll all go out of the window).

Anonymous said...

Bum! Forgot to congratulate on the Spanish thing. I can understand why they didn't bother informing you, though. Without you the book wouldn't exist - you're just the woman who wrote it. How could you possibly be important enough to give any information to?

Oh well... a few more royalty checks to come, hopefully :)

Debi said...

Thanks all! It's wonderful to feel that success (on any level) can be shared and the good vibe passed around. We're there for each other for the highs as well as the lows and are all the stronger for it.
Sharon - I knew that about you right from the off - there's that intuition stuff. Except it's not - your strength, humour and optimism shine out from my screen.
No more royalties though - the vast majority of books never sell out their advance, which is calculated on the maximum number of copies they hope to sell. It would take something really mega to turn that round. Film rights anyone?

Anonymous said...

Brill about the the Spanish publishing, flaming ignorant not to tell you about it!

This is great, as good news and happenings attract like wise. Hope this helps for things to keep moving for you.

Marie said...

I'm so pleased for you, Debi. You are so right about having a positive attitude. Negative thinking gets you nowhere.

Debi said...

If you're still breathing, Qaiz, it CAN'T be too late ...