“Sunnyside Blues”

by Mary Carter

Summary: In this funny, surprising, and heartfelt novel, Mary Carter explores the people and places that shape us—for good, for bad, and forever.

Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right. In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she’s found it. But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase.

Smart, secretive, and precocious, Chase touches a chord with Andes even as he plays on her last nerve. When Jay needs someone to take care of Chase temporarily, Andes agrees to accompany the boy to Sunnyside, Queens, on a quest she’s sure will prove fruitless. But in this new, strange, unexpectedly welcoming city, Andes will confront the secrets she tried to leave behind and the lies that have kept her running. And against all odds, she’ll discover a place, a man, and a newfound peace of mind that feel very much like home… -- Kensington

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            I’m a local author, a year-and-a-half ago I moved from the Upper East Side of Manhattan to Sunnyside Queens.  “Sunnyside Blues” is my third novel with Kensington.  Even though I have three novels published, am translated in seven languages, have a novella coming out in August, and my fourth novel coming out next year, people are often surprised when I tell them I still have a day job.  But I’m not complaining.  All I have to do is attend a conference of aspiring writers to know half of them would give one of their kidneys in exchange for an agent.  Then they’d give the other one up if the agent sold their manuscript to a publisher.  I don’t blame them.  The high of getting published can’t be beat.  It’s the dream, right?  Once you’re published, the hard work is over, the fan mail will roll in, you’ll have a fat bank account, a few movie deals, a stunning website, and a job you can do in your pajamas.  I was a little more modest.  For me it was a five-year-plan.  In five years I’d be able to quit my day job.  I’d be supporting myself as a novelist.
I was wrong. 
The advances are modest.  The hours are long.  The critics are many. There will be no book tour, no media coverage, no Oprah. 
Most writers don’t earn a fortune.  We watch our books get swallowed up in the vast sea of recently-released books, famous authors, best sellers, and award winners.   We spend tons of money on promotion, which might have slightly better odds than Vegas, but it’s debatable.  Handing out postcards of your new book feels only slightly better than dressing up as a hot dog in Times Square.
I thought my life was going to change when the television department of Paramount Pictures optioned my first book, “She’ll Take It”.  I “did lunch” in LA.  They pitched it to Showtime.  Showtime showed interest.  Then they passed.  Next, another movie producer wanted to option the book.  Excitement rose once more.  Then the deal fell through.  Oxygen Television called me in for a meeting when my second book, “Accidentally Engaged” came out.  Would I be willing to write it as a television movie?  Would I?  (Would you like a kidney with that?) The meeting was a success.  I talked, they laughed.  They asked if I’d change the Caucasian heroine to a Latina.  “Si, no problemo!”  We shook hands.  Then, at the door, those three-dreaded-dating-words:  “We’ll call you”.
They never did.
It’s a jungle.  It’s a rollercoaster ride.  It’s humbling.  It’s also exhilarating, satisfying, life-affirming.
If you’re a writer, published or not, you have a long road ahead of you.  Don’t let setbacks, rejections, and statistics get you down.  The good news is, you can overcome anything; the bad news:  rejection never ends.  You get an agent but you don’t think he or she is quite doing enough.  You get a publisher, but it’s not one of the big dogs.  Or it is one of the big dogs and they dump you when your numbers are low.  Or the movie deal falls through.  Or nobody wants your kidney. It’s all part of the business. 
Luckily, and crazily, it has nothing to do with the reason you started this journey in the first place:  you love to write.  It’s a passion. It’s a craft.  It’s a life-long journey.  Do it because you love it.  Do it because you want to master the craft.  Keep doing it no matter what.  It’s worth it. And if you are able, (insert evil self-promotion) pick up a copy of “Sunnyside Blues”. 

Keep writing!

Mary Carter
Marycarterbooks.com