S. D. F.

Just found out this morning that two people I consider dear friends had their novels cancelled. In at least one of the cases, the novel was completed. And since they were work-for-hire joints, written for shared worlds, there is about a 0% chance of retooling the work for sale with another publisher. 

There really aren't words for this sort of news. Nothing to offer in way of consolation. When you write a novel, it takes time away from a finite life. Hours that could be spent with loved ones are instead poured into the book. Conversations, thoughts, loves – they all get dumped into the novel hopper, and hopefully a decent read comes out the other side. 

So when a novel gets cancelled, that not unlike the loss of a dear friend. It's a difference in scale, not kind. There's a grieving process that needs to take place, when something you were so certain was going to come to fruition is brought to an end with a simple email.  

Has it happened to lots of authors? Of course. 

Will it happen to many more? Absolutely. 

The good writers keep at it, in spite of the setbacks. And I'm certain both my friends will keep writing. But that doesn't make it any easier to stomach in the moment. 

//H