Tuesday, April 07, 2009

I Was All Set to Write And Then...

I was feeling great this morning, woke up chirpy, checked email, switched on the fiction-only laptop (yeah, yeah) and was about to get some work done before 10am, which is rare for me. Then I got a Google alert for my name (everyone does those, right?). I click on the link. And it's this...

Orange Award For New Writers Announces 2009 Shortlist

No, I'm not on the shortlist (luckily, I think I would have had a heart attack), but...

She continues," We would also like to commend two other authors, Tania Hershman and CE Morgan, whose work stood out for its remarkable quality. We look forward to seeing more of their writing in the future."
And now my heart is beating wildly, I am trembling. And I can't write. Nope. Can't write right now. Not at all. I may have to go shopping instead. If I can breathe. Feeling a bit sick. Oops.

PS Yes, everything's backwards today, but massive congratulations to the shortlist! Are you all breathing right now?

Francesca Kay - An Equal Stillness (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)

Nami Mun - Miles From Nowhere (Virago)

Ann Weisgarber - The Personal History of Rachel DuPree (Macmillan New Writing)


Addendum
: Now I have had time to gather my thoughts, I see that I am the only short story writer among novelists here, and the only small-press-published author, so a lovely boost for short stories and small presses, yay!

32 comments:

Sarah Hilary said...

Brilliant, Tania! And so well-deserved - many many congratulations! My pulse skipped a couple of beats here on your account - best news I've had in ages. S xx

Emmanuel Sigauke said...

congratulations; this is huge. Remember even Toni Morrison was on the long list for this contest.

Tania Hershman said...

Oh Sarah, thank you, I am trembling still. I had no idea I was even put in for it, Salt very wisely doesn't tell anyone who's in for what, otherwise we'd probably all bicker and moan. But when someone says that about your writing, I've no idea how to process this. Blimey!

Tania Hershman said...

Emmanuel, you want me to stop writing for ever, right?! Toni Morrison? OK, need coffee now. But thanks for stopping by.

Brian Clegg said...

Many congratulations, Tania - that's wonderful. And well deserved!

Tania Hershman said...

Thank you, Brian! I don't really know how to take in "well deserved", but will say thank you gracefully :)

Unknown said...

Tania,
What brilliant news! Please don't stop writing, back to that laptop now! Lots of love from Wilts xxx

Merc said...

Brilliant, Tania. Congratulations! Onwards!

Lauri said...

YEAH!! Cartwheels, handstands, balloons and rainbows!!! Well deserved madam! Congrats congrats!! But one criticism- this is supposed to make you want to write even more- get to work!

Tania Hershman said...

Helena, I'm trying!

Sylvia, thanks so much.

Lauri, is it?? Ok, working, working...

Anonymous said...

Tania, that's wonderful!
Now, have some coffee, go shopping and start writing - if only because they're looking forward to seeing more of your writing. ~Miriam

Rachel Gurevich said...

This is wonderful!! And I can totally relate to feeling freaked out at the same time. That'd be me! I'd go from, "WOW, this is wonderful," to "OH MY G-D, this is horrible! I can't breath, can't breath. What if my second work is worse? What if I can't meet their expectations? What if I disappoint the WORLD with my next story? I mean, I have to be brilliant next time, more than brilliant. What if my personal private life goes ka-bloom, I... ahh!!"

Yes... I understand. :) So mazel tov! And have a cup of tea, and maybe read a bit of Bird by Bird. :) Always helps ground me...

Tania Hershman said...

Rachel, thanks so much! I haven't got to the second reaction yet, just wobbly and grinning! I will try not to think about "next time", I will definitely write something later, just to get on with it. Good idea about Bird by Bird, I have that on my shelf, will get her out.

E.P. Chiew said...

That is fantastic Tania! Watch out for those agents and publishers breaking down the door. Get you a sterling silver tea service quick!

Tania Hershman said...

Elaine, what lovely advice! I will get out the silver (although I think I have time since they'd all have to fly over here!). Thanks, I hadn't actually thought about that at all, that side of things. Well, I can't really think straight about everything, but it is a fabulous boost both for short stories and for small presses. Yay!

Sue Guiney said...

Holy Guacamole! This is incredibly huge and marvelous, and so well-deserved!!!!!!!

Tania Hershman said...

Thank you, Sue. Am going to make another, stronger coffee and leave my email to watch the latest episode of House and try and calm down a little!

Nik Perring said...

Thoroughly deserved. I'm utterly thrilled for you, Tania. :)

Ann Weisgarber said...

Tania! Congratulations! Don't even think about writing today or tomorrow. Don't worry about the next book. Just enjoy this time; you've worked hard to get here.

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Huge congratulations, T!!!!! Wowee. fantastic news. vxxx

Susannah Rickards said...

This is such fantastic news T, and such a huge vote of confidence in the quality of your work - not just a yay hay for small presses and short fiction but for you to have been spotted and championed among them all.

So delighted for you. Expect a round robin email yayhaying you!

Much love

Susannah

Tania Hershman said...

Ann, how lovely of you to stop by and take the time to leave a comment, massive congratulations to you on your double shortlisting!! And no, no writing for me today, not even a short short short. I am definitely enjoying it!

V - thanks so much, I am utterly and simply delighted!!

Liane Spicer said...

Wow. Seriously, wow! I was scrolling through the blog feeds on Bookarazzi and started reading the post, then I saw your name and I think my heart stopped for a few seconds.

Huge, HUGE congrats!

Tania Hershman said...

Liane,
if you think your heart stopped, imagine what happened to me!!! Thanks so so much. xxx

Group 8 said...

Congrats, girl. THat's fab!

annie clarkson said...

Oh wow, that is SO cool...!

pierre l said...

Many many congratulations. Do keep writing so we can all buy your next book as well.

Gay Degani said...

Tania, Congrats on such a high honor! You must be blown away. I got my eye on you--you know that role model thing where you look at someone and say, hmmmm, she's the person I want to be like.

Tania Hershman said...

Nuala and Annie, thank you!
Pierre, I'm writing as fast as I can :)
Gay, I am pretty blown away... and if you really knew me, I doubt you'd wanna be like me, I've got some pretty bad habite!

Petina Gappah said...

Well done Tanya, very well-deserved.

Debi said...

Utterly wonderful. I'm just doing a post on Bookarazzi to say exactly that. xxx

Tania Hershman said...

Thank you Debi!!