Margaret Atwood’s advice on the title of Evadne Macedo’s novel, “The 29th Day” (formerly known as “The 29th Day Hypothesis”)
My good friend Gabi and I had a fantastic night out at Margaret Atwood’s Toronto launch of The Year of the Flood on September 24, 2009. The feeling of being in the St. James Cathedral listening to Adam One’s sermons and the hymns about nature juxtaposed with some choice language and “mature subject-matter” was rather special – I only wish that I had been able to read the book in advance. We didn’t have our camera but the women in line behind us kindly agreed to take our picture and send it to us – thanks again Jessica! I’m on the left. I am holding my draft manuscript (which Gabi had read and returned to me that evening) under The Year of the Flood. One can only hope that literary genius seeped into my manuscript via some sort of gravity-induced greatness. In any event, you see how happy I was to have met my literary hero, Margaret Atwood. That was my smile AFTER she had told me she so strongly disliked my book’s former title, The 29th Day Hypothesis - I felt like I had won the lottery!
Looking back, I am still rather excited about Margaret Atwood’s interest in my book and generosity with her time. As I stood in line, waiting for her to sign my copy of The Year of the Flood, I asked her whether she had any advice for someone trying to get a first book published. She paused for a moment, and then asked, “Well, what what’s your book about?” I was incredibly impressed that she took the time to find out about my book before giving advice – wow! Luckily, I had taken Cynthia Good’s advice and come up with a quick one-liner that I was able to deliver somewhat coherently: “It is about a woman challenged by her son’s disturbing behaviour and eerie insights into issues of environmental significance. It raises themes of social consciousness and the need for environmental action to address climate change. ” So then Margaret Atwood said, “It sounds like a weirdo environmental book like mine.” Ha! Can you believe that! She indicated that her agent wasn’t taking new clients, but suggested a couple of agents who she thought might be interested in first fiction along themes similar to those in her book.
By this time, I was feeling rather bold, so I said in parting, “Well, I hope you hear of me one day – my name is Evadne Macedo and my book is The 29th Day Hypothesis.” She did not hesitate for a moment before saying, “You’ve got to get rid of ‘hypothesis’ in the title – it sounds too scientific.” This phrase is significant to the theory of the book as a whole, and so I was momentarily bewildered. Laughingly, I said “Oh no. Really?” I probably repeated that a few times, before concluding with, “Well, if Margaret Atwood says it has to go, it has to go. ” I was overwhelmed by my good luck in having this unsolicited advice on my title – I had always conceived of the book under that title, but there was no way in the world that I would persist with it after Margaret Atwood’s advice. So, Ms. Atwood perceptively realized the impact her advice was having on me, and so she said, “Well, what do I know? Talk to my agent.” Again, I could not believe her humility, consideration for my feelings and my good luck in getting a chance to speak with her agent. She waved Phoebe Larmore over and continued with her signings. When I told Ms. Larmore about my brief conversation with Ms. Atwood, and she did not hesitate for a second before confirming Margaret Atwood’s advice to drop “hypothesis” from the title. She also took the time to answer a couple of questions about what agents are looking for in unsolicited queries. I am so grateful for all this advice!
So then I went outside to join my friend Gabi and the two women who were in line behind us (who introduced themselves as Anna and Jessica). I recounted my conversations with Margaret Atwood and Phoebe Larmore, and suggested the book’s new title, The 29th Day. They thought it sounded more intriguing than the old title. Anna and Jessica expressed interest in reading the book (they have subsequently been given copies of Version 2 to read and comment on as readers in my target demographic who do not know me).
And then – yes, there was more – Gabi and I stayed out laughing and carrying on until late, late, late (or at least relatively late for both of us, who had to work the next day!) Note to all aspiring writers … remember to get out and have fun too!
At the Launch of The Year of the Flood
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