I was having coffee with my sister one afternoon when I received an email. The email, actually. It was from an editor at an Indonesian publisher, and she was asking me whether I’d like to write a book about university life and beyond.
It was October 2015. After that, over 100 emails have been sent and received. And now I have a big announcement to tell, as I’ve just received the official cover of the book.
Ready? Here it is.
Yeap, I’m a published author. Seriously? Seriously. I’m still grasping with the news as well, as I haven’t given myself the chance to be properly elated on having my name printed on a published book that is going to be sold to the public.
To be honest, it hasn’t sunk in yet. Probably it will later on when I walk into a bookshop and finding the books there. Maybe.
I’ve shared the news earlier today on social media and some friends have congratulated me and asked me some questions about the book. Here, I’d try to answer them.
1. Congratulations, Marcella! When is it published?
Yay! Thanks! And glad you asked! The release date is June 5th, 2017. It’s two weeks away. Oh. My.
2. Where is it available?
It would be available in Gramedia and some other bookstores throughout Indonesia, although eastern part of Indonesia would likely see a delay of the books in their stores for up to two weeks.
3. Can I buy it online?
Yes! E-book version is going to be available. Will let you know the link once it’s up.
4. What’s it about?
I’ll give you more sneak peeks in the coming days (and weeks), but let me share the blurb for now:
Ever since her acceptance letter to study abroad arrived at her inbox, nothing in Marcella Purnama’s life has gone according to plan. Instead of choosing Science, like her two older sisters did before her, she steered path to study Arts—a degree so alien to both her families and friends. But as she traveled thousands miles away, struggled with English, had her first byline and went back home to apply for her first job, Marcella realized that plans are meant to be changed. Full of relatable tales of horrific group work, falling in love, first job interview and quarter-life crisis, this illuminating account follows how a young adult grapples with life’s small and big questions, and the lessons learned along the way.
5. Will there be a giveaway?
Of course! I’m planning to give away some copies, so stay tuned to the coming posts!
6. Is this your first book?
YEAP. Okay, you might probably have read my self-published short memoir a few years ago, but this is my first legit published book with a legit publisher and all.
7. Is it written in English?
I might have gotten very good grades on Indonesian language subject back in high school, but sadly I can no longer write properly using Indonesian language… So yes, the book is written in English.
8. Is the book Goodreads official?
Yeap. I have even rated it a 5-star.
9. Are you high?
Yes. At the moment. On caffeine.
10. Take a deep breath. How are you feeling?
Excited, mostly. And nervous. But thank you for your asking. Really.
I hope you’ll get as excited as me when you’re reading this. Some years ago I’ve written that one of my goals in life is to publish a book by the age of 25. I’ve turned 25 last month. And I couldn’t have asked for a better present.
I’ll give you more details in posts to come. For now, I just want to say: Thank you for reading. This wouldn’t have happened without you all. I’m over the moon.
Ps. Would you like to show your support? Drop a comment or send me an email! Would love to read what you think about the book. You are more than welcome to share the book on your social media accounts, mark your calendar and get the book from your local bookshop two weeks from now!
In the meantime, stay tuned to more updates and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads. You might be lucky and able to snatch a free copy. And speaking of Goodreads—you can also mark the book as to-read. Here’s the link.
