Let me tell you the story about how my first novel Angels Carry the Sun came to be published. Sometime around 2008 I joined a writers’ group in Lambertville, NJ, lead by the poet, Judith Lawrence. Judith was also the editor of a literary magazine called the River Poets Journal. We had monthly (on the full moon, I believe) open-mic events at (of course) The Full Moon Cafe. It was wonderful because these open-mic events were writer-centered, and often packed. For a small fee we’d get hors d’oeuvres, good company, and entertainment! We would vote on the best reading of the night and the winners would win the prize of a great fuss–and once in a blue moon even money (I once won $50). During this beautiful hobnobbing era, I was also trying to find an agent for Angels Carry the Sun. This was pre-internet and I was using the Writers Market Guide. Big heavy tome which lead to one polite yet supportive rejection. I set aside my search. One day, when I’d invited Judith to lunch for the first time (I loved her poetry and wanted her in my friendship circle), I was utterly surprised when she offered to publish my novel. She asked how I was doing in finding an agent, and when I said that it wasn’t going that well, she said, “Well, if they’re too stupid. . . I would love to do it.” And that was THAT! All I remember after that was screaming with joy as I drove home. It was truly one of the happiest days of my life–the answer to a lifetime of labor and wishing! Later, Judith nominated the book for the PEN/Faulkner Award. We both worked very hard on the whole endeavor and in the end sold 2400 books. It wasn’t nationally distributed, but it did very well, considering. We didn’t have major media attention or machinery behind it. It was a magical time in my life.
Phoebe Wilcox, Writing Like the Deadline is Death 