Where Does Your Publication Dream Sit?
Yesterday was a library kind of day. It was hot out and the boys had baseball camp in the afternoon. The kids needed to get their summer reading underway so to the air-conditioned library we went. I also wanted to peruse 
the New Fiction shelf. I told myself I could check out just one book (found Seré Prince Halverson’s book The Underside of Joy) and then slowly I inched my way deeper into the shelves, one foot casually placed in front of the other, until I found myself in the R-T Fiction section.
I wasn’t looking for another book so much as I was looking to see where “my book” would sit if it was published. Not that it is written yet. I am in second draft phase, which according to my current writing pace, will be completed in three years. To torture myself further, along with my dream tucked in my back pocket, I come to the library to see where my “new” place on the shelf is located. Not that I have an old place but where my non-existent book would be rotates quite a bit as new books are welcomed and old books are gently escorted to the used bookstore located in the front of the library.
I received an added thrill today when I found my spot. I am always located in front of Kim Sawyer and until Ingrid Sawyer or Tim Saverin publish before me, Kim will be holding my place in line. My children by this time had found me (damn!) and I showed them where Mommy’s book would be if it was published.
Then, I turned around and said, “My friend Erika’s book will be…,” I paused as I scanned the shelf behind me for the R-O-B’s, “right here.” I sighed. For if my book was published as hers was soon to be, our books would be directly across from each other in the same aisle.
To demonstrate here is my green notebook that holds my book outline on the left. And on the right is the ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) of Erika Robuck’s book.
Our books would’ve been aisle buddies if mine was done and published. I imagine waving at each other from across the worn Berber carpeted aisle. Our books would chat about our neighbors and if we had met (read) them yet. We would cough while whispering each other’s book names to nearby library patrons contemplating their next read. We would be such good shelfriends.
This is my nerdy book dream. How surreal would it be to be “this close” to a dear friend that has inspired me and continues to do so in her relentless pursuit of her dreams? Our book dreams are what we roll around in day after day, desperately trying to keep its scent firmly adhered to our person. I guess this is my way of keeping the stink on.
By the blessing of surname, I hope to someday sit upon the shelf near this dear friend. Books will come and go and even though our places upon the library/bookshelves will always be in motion, like waves lapping the shore, she will always be near. Thank you E for your inspiration and friendship and for all of the other writers that I hope to share a shelf with someday.
Writers:
- Have you looked for your place among the library/bookstore shelves?
- Who is in front of you? Behind?
- Does dreaming of book publication get in the way of your writing or does it kick your butt into gear?
- Raise your hand if you think I may be on a creepy patron watch list at my local library.
For those of you with your own book dreams (published or not), take a picture of “your place” at your local library or bookstore. Post it on your own blog/web site. Frame it!
Then post the link to your photo in the comments! I would love to see where to look for you someday! 
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I'm a midwest gal living vicariously through books, writing, her crazy family, and a few great friends. My blog covers all of the above as I attempt to figure out what the hell I'm doing at any given moment. Follow me:
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I have never done this excercise, but I don’t know why — it’s such a fun one! But yes, of course I’ve dreamed about one of my books being published. This is a frequent daydream that doesn’t get in the way of writing BUT is it weird to say that I’ve also fantasized about who would play my characters in movies? (as for you being on the creepy patron list at your library, I doubt it. Have you read Marilyn Johnson’s book about librarians? I guarantee you are on the very mild side of creepy library patron behaviors!)
HA! No I haven’t! I’m intrigued! I love the character thing, too. I haven’t done it so much for my book as I have for others. I HAVE started a board on Pinterest when I find great faces for characters and settings I may want to use someday. THAT is tons of fun.
What a wonderful tribute to friendship and writing, my dear. Libraries are always my happy place–especially when I go with my kiddos and we come home with a big bag of new books. I honestly don’t know who is more excited!
Happy summer to you and here’s to lots of delicious reading in the hot months ahead!
Tell me about it. I practically squeal when I walk through the doors. LONG LIVE LIBRARIES!!
One of the things I love most about you is this: You’re not only chasing your dream…you’re following the dreams of others! As always well written, thoughtful, and generous. xoxo
xo back
I never thought of this before. Probably because I always envision my book being electronic since I keep getting rejected from traditional pubs. Haha. Now I’m going to have to go and see where they’d put me…Great post!
I hope that books will always be traditionally published. We can’t exactly hand down our Kindles to the next generation, can we? I am crossing my fingers for you!
Hallie–I don’t know if it’s because it’s late, I’m exhausted, I’m overflowing with gratitude, or I’m hormonal, but this made me cry. Thank you, Friend. I have no doubt we will be book buddies one day. Love you, H.
Ditto.
This is such a fun and incredibly sweet post! One of my writer friends from years ago told me he did this, so I once looked up where my book would sit at Borders, except back then I wasn’t married yet so I used my maiden name. I have no idea where it’d sit now; I’ll have to check next time I’m in the library and take a picture for you! It does kind of give the sense of being surrounded by other writers and their legacies. It’s a beautiful thing to aspire to be a part of.
I love the idea of you and Erika’s books being neighbors.
So very nerdy but yet it keeps me going. I wish I could write at Erika’s speed. She is a machine, that gal. Thanks for the kind words–can’t wait to see where you are–somewhere close!!
What a creative post, woman. I love it! I haven’t done this, but I HAVE – at the suggestion of a writing book – created my own cover and wrapped it over an existing hardback book and put it on my bookshelf. Such fun to see my name on the spine, even if I was the one who created it and printed it out on my laser printer
. Nothing wrong with dreaming; now I’ll have to see who’s in front of and next to me. But will I be alphabetized under C for Crytzer or F for Fry? Hmm…
I believe it would be Fry. Kim Sawyer’s books actually say Kim Vogel Sawyer so it would be by the last, last name. Hmmm is right. Who would you be near? Totally checking that one out the next time I go!
Hallie, I LOVE this post. What a clever picture! I have looked on the shelves before to see where I’d sit. I think it is encouraging, but of course it never got my book written for me.
I love your point on how that position changes depending on the other books coming out. What a wonderful tribute to Erika, too.
You aren’t kidding. I can dream about where I’ll “sit” but it will never happen unless my butt is planted in my writing chair each and every day. It is a habit I have yet to form but I’m hoping it will stick soon. I’m so thrilled for Erika and can’t wait to help her celebrate her book birthday. Thanks for visiting, Nina!
This is lovely, Hallie. I’ve read Hemingway’s Girl (and loved it) and just had the pleasure of meeting Erika at BEA. This made me smile. I wish you luck with your book.
Wow! I am beyond thrilled that you took the time to stop by and comment, Ann! I am savoring Erika’s book and can’t wait for its upcoming release. I am so glad you had the opportunity to meet her in person which I have yet to do!
Thank you for the kind words. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
I’m smiling so big, the other people in the library I’m sitting in are staring. But of course, that’s okay. I just walked over to the shelf where my book will fit someday, and wonderfully, I’m always bumped up against Stephen. King. What an inspiring writer to be beside! Someday, hopefully soon, I’ll get to see how it looks.
I love your tribute to Erika’s debut, Hem’s Girl! (And I happen to love her book– I can’t wait for it to debut!)
To writing dreams, Hallie! Thanks for helping me to look at it from another angle. Those dreams, if we don’t drop them, will come true. I know it. Write on, Girlfriend! xo jk