I was nervous about ‘Eclipsed by Shadow’ when it was first published …
In 2002, years before actual publication–after receiving permission!–I sent out a mailing to top equestrians in America. I had a draft of the trilogy written, but there was a LOT of research to be done: I wanted to see if the story seemed worthwhile.
The effort had mixed results. I asked for comment from riders, trainers and officials from various backgrounds in equestrian sports, historical societies, foxhunting groups, western and rodeo, racing, etc … and I didn’t know what to make of the feedback. I’ve since lost the quotes, though I remember parts…
Burned into Memory
At first, I just sent a note with a self-addressed postcard, asking if each would agree to read and comment on a short book. The estimable George Morris was the only person who actually sent back the postcard to tell me no. :) (“I don’t read fiction”).
My favorite feedback was from another “English” rider, Margie Goldstein-Engle, who said that she “learned something about horses” and thanking me (!), while gently correcting an error I’d made. I already knew Margie as a world-class athlete, so being touched by such consideration was naturally unforgettable.
Another memorable response from the h/j world took the opposite side of the ledger. I apparently wrote the thing Shelby French most hated reading in all of her life. That early version of Eclipsed by Shadow was too violent and uneven, and I’m very grateful this was pointed out in clear terms; maybe less for the advice detailing her thoughts on my future. I remember sitting in the truck for a few minutes after that one. Why, Shelby … why?
One gentleman told me he thought he only found 1 spelling error, and that was his complete comment. Nice people are sometimes the most cruel.
Some readers liked the story idea, but in my summation feedback wasn’t encouraging. I saw the experience as a chance to dismount before years of hard labor, sacrifice, and probable destitution … that I did it all anyway is simply because sometimes characters talk too much until you put them down where others can see them.
Hoping Promise soars
I did research and write the story, and then edited it (the hard part), lived it, etc … and in later years, as the official publishing date approached, I was able to directly access my early fears. I reviewed whether my natural stupidity outweighed my studied block-headedness, or vice versa … or if I suffered from some kind of obsessional hatred of my free time.
And then … a pre-publication review came from the respected Library Journal:
Veteran horseman Royce combines history and myth with action and adventure to create a fast-paced, well-informed tale of a flying horse and the young girl who loves her.
Following the birth of a palomino foal, 12-year-old Meagan names the young horse Promise, and an uncommon bond forms between the two. Told by an elderly woman that Promise is one of the legendary Great Horses, Meagan flees with Promise through time after she discovers that others want Promise for themselves.
This series opener should appeal to fans of equestrian novels as well as historic fantasy and belongs in most libraries’ adult and YA collections.–Jackie Cassada, Library Journal
MOST COLLECTIONS?! That was my dream: a horse story for the masses.
I didn’t realize at first what that review fully meant. This pre-pub recommendation was how libraries and bookstores chose new books to stock … out of the many thousands of books that apply each month, Library Journal chooses a few hundred across the spectrum to include in recommendations to libraries. I’d made the real cut.
At one point the book was in over 600 domestic libraries … and I was soon given education in the transience of publishing success.
