Night Shade to publish my book, The Daedalus Incident!

So here’s a tidbit that just came out on Publisher’s Marketplace:

Michael Martinez’s THE DAEDALUS INCIDENT, about an evil alchemist and the brave naval officers who fly battleships between planets to save the universe, to Jeremy Lassen at Night Shade Books, in a nice deal, for publication in 2013, by Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary Agency (World English).

That’s right, people. It’s a done deal. Next summer, HMS Daedalus sets sail, and I join the ranks of published novelists! (And yes, it’s no longer Spacebuckler. I like the new title more.)

I am both thrilled and humbled that Night Shade Books agreed to acquire The Daedalus Incident. The authors they publish are very, very good, and it’s a real honor to now be counted among them. Night Shade has such a great track record with debut authors, and I know I’m going to learn a ton from editor Jeremy Lassen and the rest of the crew there.

To say my literary agent, the esteemed Sara Megibow, was instrumental in getting this done would be a monumental understatement. This would NOT have happened without her immense talent and hard work. Never have I seen a more tenacious and passionate advocate for something I’ve written. If there’s a literary agent Hall of Fame, she’s in it.

And while I’m giving my acceptance speech here, I must also thank my wife, Kate, for being hugely supportive,  incredibly caring and in all other ways wonderful. I really couldn’t have done this without her.

So what’s next? I don’t really have all the details yet — this is my first time getting a novel published, after all. I know full well there will be revisions and edits to make, probably several times over. Despite all the nervous author chatter surrounding the words “editorial letter,” I’m pretty excited about rolling up my sleeves and getting down to work.

There will, of course, be a cover and cover copy and all that good stuff. As we get closer to the release date, there will be media and marketing to do — another thing I’m excited about, because that’s something I actually know how to do.

And then, next summer, it’ll be in book stores and e-readers…ten years after I first came up with the idea that tall ships really ought to be sailing in space.

There will be more to come between now and then, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you. In the meantime, save your pennies so you can buy my book!

P.S.: Don’t forget the social media sharing buttons below. Spread the word!