When Kate Flora invited me to blog on this site a little over three years ago, I felt deeply honored to join so many excellent writers of Maine-based mysteries. Indeed, I felt inadequate because I had published only three mysteries, a series featuring the amateur sleuth Julie Williamson. At the time I joined mainecrimewriters.com I was at work on a fourth in the series.
Life intervened, as it has a way of doing, and it wasn’t until the end of 2020 that I was able to submit the work to my publisher. The response was favorable, with the caveat that staff shortages and a number of accepted books in the queue already would mean mine might not appear till 2022. I had taken long enough to write it that I couldn’t blame the publisher for taking a while to get it out. So all well and good—until a short email from the publisher this summer brought the news it would not publish my mystery.
Rejection is rarely welcome, and I was frankly dazed at being so abruptly dropped. Of course the editor who sent the bad news said she quite liked the mystery, wished they had adequate staff and resources, etc., etc. Maybe just being nice. I’ve begun looking at alternative means of publishing, but as things stand now I’m finding it hard to consider myself a Maine crime writer. That’s why I’ve decided to sign off here. If I do eventually publish the fourth book—and maybe another one beyond that—I’ll ask if I may rejoin. In the meantime, I want to thank all the bloggers who make this site fun to read and be a part of, especially Kate Flora, and those who have read and commented on my posts. It’s all been fun!
Kait Carson
Charlene D’Avanzo 
Oh so sad,William. I am sorry to read this. You will be missed. I had a similar experience with my Hayden Kent series when the publisher decided not to release the third. It hurts, but it does open other doors.
I hope that you find a home for your fourth Julie Williamson.
I’m sorry to hear this, William, but you are still a crime writer, even if your work isn’t getting published at the moment. Keep writing, keep in touch and good luck!
Like finding your prom date in the parking lot with your best friend, or ex-lax in your favorite aunt’s brownies. I hope you reconsider leaving AND find a new home for your book.
Well said, John!
Good luck & keep in touch with your readers.
William, if it’s any consolation, though I’m no expert, the publishing world seems to have changed markedly in a very short time.
There are more and more writers, as the population ages and people retire and look for other activities besides traditional employment.
Coronavirus may also have changed things in a way that doesn’t help writers. Without implying that my short stories or historical crime novel are worthy of publication, I get rejections that state the publisher has received thousands of submissions for one or only a few available slots in that publication.
But I’m going to keep writing if for no other reason than my hope it will keep my aging mind as sharp as reasonably possible!
Best of luck in your future writing endeavors.
Once a writer, always a writer. Publishing is so frustrating, and certainly not for the faint of heart. I hope you find a new path and many new words ahead!
Hey, William, I’m just a visitor form Texas, but I adore Maine. Hoping to get there this October again. Let me say, you are defiitely a Maine Writer. I’m sorry, your 4th book needs to find a new home. That’s always a pain. Whether it is ever published or not, you are still a Maine writer. Let me encourage you to publish it yourself, and I especially encourage you to keep on writing. 🙂
William, I am so sorry. You are definitely a Maine writer. The publishing world often slams a door but later another opens. I encourage you to keep going and write that next book so you’re ready.
Sorry to hear this 🙁 could you go down the self pub route (and stay as a MCR?!)
I’m double dipping because this message from the short mystery fiction group is relevant to what hit you:
The warnings two months ago by Ingram and others regarding supply chain issues for publishers have proven to not only be true, but arriving earlier than expected. Author Archer Mayor is the fifth major name I have seen announce on FB today that his book is coming out weeks later than planned and so the book tour events are also now being pushed back.
If it is happening with major names that are on the NYT Bestseller lists, it is going to happen across the board.
So sorry to see you go. I really enjoyed your series, so I hope you find a way to get the new book published. Good luck!
Warmest thanks to all of you–so many!–who responded to my post. I’m touched by the good words and encouragement and will take heart from them. As a number of comments note, publishing has become a very strange business. I’m still pursuing some self-publishing avenues and hope to get my latest out in some form at some time. Meanwhile, I’m comforted by all the support. Thanks!