Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Signing My First Publishing Contract


Some time ago I spent a good six months working in fits and bursts on a short story idea that needed time to percolate. Most stories do, usually for much less time, but this one was special: it meant something to me.

I'm talking about religion here.

Having spent many hours reading books on Zen Buddhism and Buddhism in general, my programmer's mentality was drawn to the one religion that struck me more as a philosophy or system for living than an excuse for worship or mind control. Draw whatever assumptions you like from that, but Buddhism seems to be the only religion I know of that actively encourages people to question it.

Of course, one of my other main interests over the last few years has been crime fiction. Talk about the other end of the spectrum.

Like many before me, I wanted to 'write what I know', but I also wanted to keep it within the realm of crime fiction. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I stumbled upon a way to combine my interest in Buddhism with my interest in crime fiction.

It may seem like a strange idea on first thought, but a few prisons in various parts of the world have experimented with the teaching of meditation to inmates, as a way of helping them deal with their time behind bars.

All this percolation and back story eventually led to the publishing of my story, BUDDHA BEHIND BARS, over at that ezine that is the hardest of the hard, Thuglit. About six months later and we're back in the present, where I've been lucky to have that story included in the second Thuglit anthology (whose cover should look something like that above), called "SEX, THUGS, AND ROCK & ROLL."

Like the first anthology, HARDCORE HARDBOILED, a handful of guest authors added their contributions to the swath of stories from Thuglit herself. It's going to be great to be included among such fine writers as Joe. R. Lansdale, Marcus Sakey, Allan Guthrie, Scott Wolven and Jason Starr.

The extra special bit about all this for me is the feeling of signing my very first publishing contract, which was quickly followed by the realisation that it will take almost two years to come out.

But that's the biz, and now that I have a taste of it, I want some more.

15 comments:

angie said...

I've already said this, but...WOOHOO! CONGRATS, DUDE! Seriously, it's a long wait until it comes out, but now I can't wait to see yer name in print on such a fine anthology. Go, Aussie Freak Boy, Go!

JamesO said...

Way to go, Dan! Here's hoping the next one comes along soon.

Christa M. Miller said...

Wow, Daniel! Great news! Seems like a lot of folks in our circle are getting into anthologies. :) I can't wait till it comes out!

Josephine Damian said...

Excellent!

I too am interested in Buddhism and crime writing.

Do you watch the TV show called "Life" - about a wronged cop seeking revenge while trying to quell the vindictive urge with Buddhist training/philosophy? Interesting premise.

I'm looking forward to getting that Thug Lit anthology!

Stuart MacBride said...

Well done that man!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Daniel!

Daniel Hatadi said...

Thanks, everyone. It does feel good.

Josephine, I have to check that show out. I have heard of it, but that premise has me tickled.

Mary said...

Very good sir, very very good sir! *mwah* :-)

Jamie Ford said...

Cool! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the Spinetingler shortlisting too!

Mindy Tarquini said...

Congratualtions, Daniel! Sorry, I missed this. Wonderful news. I'll echo James on this. May the next contract come soon.

Anonymous said...

wow! sorry it's taken me so long to hear/read this. congratulations, daniel!

Daniel Hatadi said...

Thank you to the rest of you crazy kids!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous story. Congatulations on crafting such a great story and getting it published.

Daniel Hatadi said...

Hey, thanks so much Amra!