Though patrons of the horror subscription service Night Worms had early access, my short fiction collection, Flowers from the Void, was officially released in the U.S. on September 3rd. As of now, I haven’t had a US launch and don’t have anything big planned. That might sound a bit strange—debuting after fifteen years of working toward this very moment without ringing it in as hugely as possible—but I think my reasoning is solid. For one thing, my book actually began its life out in the world months earlier, on May 2nd, in the United Kingdom.
In my senior year as an undergraduate, I studied abroad in Scotland. Save for the beacon that was my university, Glasgow didn’t offer me the warmest welcome. So I took the opportunity to flee, more than once, into London’s waiting arms. I found a me-shaped slot to fit into there and knew I had to come back. Years later, I moved to England for a creative writing PhD program and worked as a bookseller. On the shop floor at Foyles, I met the woman who would become my literary agent as well as many of the incredible creatives who would keep me inspired during my time as a student, and would later support me when Flowers from the Void debuted.
My UK launch kicked off with a panel discussion at Foyles’s flagship location on Charing Cross Road. The evening before my official pub date, fellow debuts Kaliane Bradley, Oisín McKenna, and I answered thoughtful questions posed about our work by Julia Armfield, whose third book would release in June. A good number of my ex-colleagues, who had encouraged me during my journey to that moment, not to mention my incredible editor, publicist, marketing guru, and managing editor, were all in the audience, elbow-to-elbow with my PhD supervisor and my mom, cheering me on. My Foyles pals stood in line afterwards to get their books signed and to squeeze me up into the warmest hugs. I was so jittery that I misspelled two of my friends’ names. After setting up for events in that very room years prior, as well as attending events in that space long before I started working there, it was surreal to be up on stage, like a real author, talking about my book alongside other writers who’d already won awards and performed for applauding crowds.
From there, we took the party to a nearby bar themed like the inside of somebody’s house. Near to where we all sat were a medicine cabinet and a shower, tiled to the hilt and ready with plastic caps to slap on whenever you were ready to get clean. A washing machine sat somewhere across the room from us, dressing up a spot near the dance floor. There were bottles on bottles: beer, Prosecco, wine—you name it. More importantly, I was surrounded by so many people I loved who had watched me grapple toward a finish line, believing I would get there. It was an incredible night.
After that, I did an in-conversation event at Voce Books, a shop in Birmingham owned and operated by two more ex-colleagues and friends, Clive and Maria Judd. I read an excerpt from “Redemption Express,” answered Maria’s excellent questions about the book, read a bit more, this time from “When I Cry, It’s Somebody Else’s Blood,” then answered an absolute slew of great queries from the audience. After the event, I signed books and had wonderful conversations with some of the folks who attended. Then those of us who remained headed to the pub across the way and talked on. I also recorded an episode for the Breaking the Glass Slipper podcast, which features women who write sci-fi, fantasy, and horror; and participated in another panel discussion at my alma mater, the University of Surrey, as part of their New Writers Festival. I was super nervous about these last two and it definitely showed in my quivering responses to the questions I received. At one point during the festival panel, as I read my chosen excerpt, I bungled my words for the third time and half-screamed, half-laughed, “What is happening?!” into my microphone.
In between the events and recordings were so many meet-ups with friends that I got ill because my body just couldn’t handle all the excitement. It was a hell of a way to give birth to something; a time that felt as big externally as it felt in my mind and heart.
My American publication journey began in 2017, when I went to AWP with my UK university. I wandered, bought a billion books, and spoke to a bunch of publishers, one of which happened to be CLASH Books. I told the editor in chief, Christoph Paul, that I was there with profs from my UK program. We talked about horror, and I told him what I was writing. He told me to reach out when I was done with my novel. Seven years later, my story collection and forthcoming novel have both found a home with the same publisher I met back then.
I don’t have as many literary connections in the States as I do in the UK (I met my US agent through my UK agent!), so I don’t have events lined up the way I did across the pond. Something I didn’t know before getting published, which I’m happy to pass on, is that events aren’t an automatic part of the deal. I was lucky enough to find my way into a warm and wonderful creative community in the UK, so when the time came, I had a web of pals waiting to midwife my work into other people’s hands. Another thing I’m even happier to pass on is that events and podcast episodes aren’t necessary in getting your work to readers; they are simply icing on the big, beautiful “I’m published” cake.
It’s been amazing to be surrounded by so much support from both friends and complete strangers, some of whom had already read the book before it was officially out! One reader even asked me to include one of her favorite lines from the collection when I signed her copies! My first thought: “Um what? You have favorite lines? In MY book?!” I nearly passed out. But I know these stories will, fingers crossed, continue to seek and find their eventual readers for years to come, regardless of how many appearances I make. I mentioned Night Worms at the start, which felt surreal to be chosen for. I got to reach readers all over the country without setting foot outside my own door! (The ideal setup for an anxious introvert, amirite?)
I’m planning to have a gathering of friends and family at my favorite speakeasy sometime this month to celebrate the release of Flowers stateside. Beyond that, I’ve got no other plans. Big launch, small launch, no launch… it’s all fine. The common denominator is wildly supportive people, both within and outside of the industry, who have continually gone to bat for me and haven’t stopped yet. That’s all you really need. Well… that, and readers who see their current selves, and will hopefully find new ones, in your work.
FICTION
Flowers From the Void
By Gianni Washington
CLASH Books
Published September 3, 2024
