I received my first copy of In-human as a book and I did not imagine the excitement it would bring – it’s been such a long and hard time trying to get it published that there was no joy left in it for me anymore, I didn’t think so anyway. And then I got to hold this beautiful book and I fell in love again. Went home immediately and read it from start to finish in one day. I read it like it was the first time, which sounds crazy but I could not put it down. I had to keep turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I really did not expect this to happen because of course I’m familiar with all the events. But reading a bound book is, I found out, a very different experience from reading a stack of loose pages.
In-human is like a fairy tale for me – I have been able to read it countless times without ever losing the joy of it but by the last edit I was over the whole thing. And this made me sad because we’ve had such a long relationship. I started writing this novel twelve years ago. And the story continues. The novel I’m writing now, How much the human body contains, is Coralee’s take on events. She’s the antagonist in In-human and for me the hardest character to get to know, so I had to start writing this novel to find out about her.
At first (like for six years) I struggled not just because In-human wasn’t finished yet, which was significant, but also because Coralee’s a very dark and complicated character. Often it’s been extremely hard for me to sit with her story but in the last few weeks I had this amazing insight into what drives her and so now it’s got easier for me to let her speak. She’s remarkable and I hope she keeps talking. The excerpts in this blog are some of the things she’s said so far.
In-human is 288 pages long, the font is Fairlight and I think the story has got an excellent pace and is very funny in parts. It’s also sad. Each time I’ve read it I’ve found out something new, so it’s a simple story but there’s a lot to it. In-human is published by Transit Lounge and will be released around the start of April 2010. I’ll post the launch date when there is one.
6 comments:
I concur! It is all much more together as a book than I remember the manuscript being. It's a goddamn wild story, needs that glue and stitching to hold it together...but its still wild. Thanks so much for the advance copy, Anna! Is the sequel about new events, or Coralee's back story?
Thanks Clinton. It is different all glued together isn't it? But nothing's going to contain Sally, she's too big a beast. Yeah, she's wild and I love her for it. The sequel does move either side of the time frame of In-human (and of course outside time) but most is within the same six months. At the moment this is how things are anyway. I'm not a planner so can't be sure. I have written a whole bunch of pages though and so far only one same event has happened. It is amazing how a different perspective gives a totally different story. It's got me intrigued.
I wrote my review on Facebook's "I'm reading" app:
I'm thrilled that I played a small part in this book seeing the light of day, because it's a balltearer of a debut horror novel from Ms. Dusk. A werewolf fairytale, she calls it, but think "fairytale" Brothers Grimm style - stuff to keep you awake at night. ... The big acheivement of "In-human" is Dusk's capture of Australian rural white-trash vernacular in text, which I don't think anyone's every done so well before, in all its dischordant ugliness. I've got an advance copy, it's out in April...prepare yourself...
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No small part Clinton - I wouldn't have sent it out again if you hadn't made the website.
Hi Anna! None of the retail book shops seem to be stocking it but that is okay, I ordered it in from Angus And Robertson today and I should have my copy in the next 2-4 weeks. I cannot wait to read it and it sounds so interesting. I love psychology and horror and from what Ive ready, youve got a nice mix of both in this book. I will recommend it to everyone I know and try to get the word out there as much as I can. Id like to see as many people aware of not only women authors but also Australian authors and support you as much as possible. I look forward to sinking my teeth into this one which will be in coming weeks. Thank you for your hard work in getting it published so book nuts like me relish in your talents!
Hello Miss Manda,
Thank you for all your efforts to find In-human. It’s a treacherous business publishing and this stage is a precarious one – will In-human sell? Difficult if it’s not in bookshops but still I reckon the best method for selling is by word of mouth. If you love it share the joy. I really appreciate your enthusiasm Miss Manda and hope that when the read comes it satisfies, Anna.
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