It’s been close to 20 years since I left the corporate world for the uncertain life of a freelance journalist. My journey hasn’t always been easy, but no matter how tough times got, I never stopped believing in the dream.
This past week reminded me of those early days, and how far I’d come. You see, Skeletons in the Attic, book 1 in my Marketville Mystery series, was released in Chinese by Sharp Point Press, a Taiwanese publisher. Now, I’ve had a lot of hopes and dreams when it comes to my publishing journey (many still unrealized) but having a book translated into Chinese never once crossed my mind. To quote the then 72-year-old Ruth Gordon, winner of the 1969 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Rosemary’s Baby: “I can’t tell you how encouraging a thing like this is.” Ruth, you see, had been acting since 1915, and while my journey hasn’t been quite as long, or as lauded, sometimes I have to pinch myself and say, “Yes, this really is happening to me.”
My mother had a saying, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” She wasn’t right about everything, but she was right about that. Selling the Chinese language rights to Sharp Point Press can be directly attributed to two things: meeting Tymo Lin (founder of Crime Writers of Taiwan) at Left Coast Crime in Vancouver, where I was the Crime Writers of Canada liaison (there were about 35 CWC members attending) and serving on the CWC Board, the last two as Chair. Both were volunteer initiatives, both took a tremendous amount of work, but more importantly, both were personally and professionally enriching.
While I’m no longer on the CWC Board (having served the maximum 5 years), I’m currently working on two projects which will hopefully help other writers. In the meantime, I’m still dreaming the dream. The best is yet to come.
I agree with Ruth Gordon, the best is yet to come.
Congratulations Judy!
Thanks! Here’s to Ruth!
Congratulations Judy. I’ll remember your mother’s saying!
Thanks C.J.! It works!
Congratulations, Judy! I’ve followed your writing journey for some time now and you continue to inspire!
All the best.
Thank you Rose!