Thank you

Finishing The Rephaim series has left me feeling a little reflective and contemplative, so please indulge me for this post. There are a lot of people I want to thank for being with me on The Rephaim journey. I think I did a reasonable job in my acknowledgements at the end of Burn, so I thought I would re-post it here.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Five years ago, I was frustrated and disappointed over yet another writing rejection – the Weston_Shadows-TheRephaim-Twitterlatest addition to a fat folder. To cheer myself up I started working on something for fun. That scene turned into the beginnings of Shadows and an outline for the four-book Rephaim series. Less than a year later, my agent Lyn Tranter pitched the series to Mandy Brett and Alison Arnold at Text Publishing. They liked it and I was offered a contract. After all those years of writing and rejection, the thing I had wanted for so long happened ‘just like that’.

10915288_919531344747805_6540803074086022022_nSince then, the series has been published in the United Kingdom, North America and Turkey. I’ve been a guest at writers’ festivals, a writer-in-residence at high schools, participated in blog tours, met lots of wonderful readers online and at events, and read countless reviews of my work (good, bad and otherwise).

I’ve rubbed shoulders with many of my favourite writers and met others who have since joined that list. I’ve chatted and shared book recommendations with a great bunch of dedicated bloggers and reviewers who do what they do purely because they love to read. The young adult writing community in Australia is quite possibly the most welcoming, supportive and friendly writing sector in the world today, and that’s been one of the greatest discoveries of all.

Haze__coverI still have a day job. Few people tell you how tough it is to earn a living as a writer. I’m just grateful to be in print, and especially grateful for publishers like Text Publishing who are still willing to take risks. There are plenty of writers out there who are where I was five years ago, so I take nothing for granted.

This is the fourth and last book in the Rephaim series, and there are plenty of people I need to thank.

Text Publishing: my editor Mandy Brett, for caring about a story filled with angels and Text Publishing coverdemons. I’m well aware of how lucky I am to be able to work with you. And the entire team at Text, especially those I’ve worked with the closest: Anne Beilby, Alice Cottrell, Steph Speight, Alaina Gougoulis and Shalini Kunahlan.

Orion/Indigo Books: my editor Jenny Glencross and senior publicity manager Nina Douglas.

Tundra Books/Random House Canada: Publisher Alison Morgan, Editorial Director Tara Walker and Publicity Manager Pamela Osti, as well as Val Capuani. Special thanks to Publishing Coordinator Sylvia Chan, for always going above and beyond.

Alison Arnold, for being there from the start of this series and whose influence still guides my writing (and inspires me to try to write beautiful sentences).

Rebecca Cram (Place), for nearly three decades of friendship and encouragement – and providing helpful feedback on an early draft Burn.

Michelle RBurn_Text Publishingeid, fellow YA book nerd, for providing outstanding attention to detail at draft stage and again in the home stretch. (Thanks too for the ‘arse’ conversation!)

Tony Minerds: my brother who can spot a typo at fifty paces. This time around he got a chance to find them before we went to print. Thanks bro.

Vikki Wakefield, a gifted writer who I’m proud to call friend, for feedback and candid conversations that help me feel like I almost know what I’m doing.

Marianne de Pierres – a multi-talented writer, friend and mentor – for invaluable advice and much appreciated support.

My family and friends, many of who had never read anything even remotely resemblingShadows_Text Publishing_2015 urban/contemporary fantasy before this series came along, for taking the time to read every book and make appropriate noises of enthu- siasm. You guys rock.

My amazing friend and business partner, Heather Scott, for her friendship and unwavering belief in me.

Mum and Dad, for their overwhelming love and support in all aspects of my life.

Murray, for knowing me better than anyone else on the planet, and for still being beside me twenty years on. And last, but most certainly not least, all of you – readers, bloggers, reviewers, booksellers and librarians – who have picked up the Rephaim series. There is no writing career without you guys. Thanks for being a part of this adventure.
I know the Rephaim series isn’t going to change the world, but I’ve loved writing this story and these characters—and they’ve certainly brought an amazing new dimension to my world. For that, I will always be grateful.

7 Comments

  1. Tarissa Williamson says:

    Paula, Thank you so much for bringing the Rephaim series to print. I have fallen in love with your characters, and eagerly awaited the next book as they have been released. I even purchased them through the UK because it takes too long for the release in the US. I can’t wait to see if there are other future projects from you!

    Sincerely,
    One of your biggest fans – Tarissa!

    1. paulaweston says:

      Thanks so much Tarissa. 🙂

  2. Dimity Powell says:

    Beautifully stated Paula. You are perhaps a little too modest but otherwise worthy and deserving of all that you have achieved – thus far! Looking forward to more and more. 🙂

    1. paulaweston says:

      Thanks Dimity. 🙂

  3. Ari says:

    Thank you for writing this wonderful series!
    I can’t wait to read the final book, though I don’t want it to ever end.

    And maybe one single story won’t change the world, but reading on itself has this power. All my favourite books, together, have managed to change mine and I am so grateful for that. Thank you once more!

    1. paulaweston says:

      Thank you Ari. 🙂

  4. hmscat says:

    It’s not the end… the movie deal will just be around the corner 🙂 This comment is going to start a frenzy!

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About Me

I’m the author of the Rephaim series and The Undercurrent.

For my day job, I’m a writer-journalist-professional communicator, where my writing involves a lot less profanity.

I grew up in regional South Australia and now live in the Scenic Rim with my husband and a retired greyhound.

If you’re interested in how I came to land a publishing deal, you can read the short version in this post from August 2011. There’s a longer version (in a guest post) here.

Paula Weston

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