by Wilde Press Spring ’23 Author Maddie Gregorski <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It all started with a single scene: an argument. I spent so many nights replaying those few lines in my head and slowly building a conversation. The perfect couple at the dinner table, fighting over something that didn\u2019t matter. Insults were tossed around, threats of divorce were thrown, and sharp talk turned to yelling. I thought this story was going to be one of a rocky marriage. I thought that\u2019s what the book would be\u2014a couple letting go of the facade. But after I wrote the first few pages of the book, I realized I was absolutely wrong, it was far more than that. And so The Neural Network <\/em>was born. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I won\u2019t lie, I like a little bit of drama\u2014or rather, the kind that doesn\u2019t involve me. While sitting at a restaurant with my partner, we were beside two people on a first date. The guy talked and talked about his wonderful life, all the while his date sat in almost complete silence. As I listened to their conversation, I was sure he wouldn\u2019t get a second date. Days after that, I listened to another couple, two booths down, arguing over their coming life together. I thought back to that first date from before. Because I imagined how, if it had developed into a relationship, that\u2019s where they would end up: fighting about their future as a couple. That\u2019s where the main characters, Elsie and Basil\u2019s, relationship began. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I took those two conversations, and that first scene, that first argument, formed. So, after all that time writing the lovers spat in my head, I sat down, opened a document page, and got to writing. I had known Wilde Press was taking submissions, but came to realize they were a week away from closing. So I scrambled to write a second draft, staying up until 3am to get things <\/p>\n\n\n\n done. And though I wasn\u2019t entirely confident in what I submitted, I prayed they would see its potential and select my manuscript for the semester. So I was left to impatiently wait. Not long later, though, I received an email. I had been accepted! It felt unreal, and I was ready to dive in head first . <\/p>\n\n\n\n First I attended author editorial night, where I met the wonderful Pub Club staff, the publishers, Sara Fergang and Teresa Moritz, as well as the other author, Teya Sorenson. With everyone present, I signed my contract and the official publishing process began! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once it was all finalized, I was aching to get my substantive editing letter back. When I did receive it, one thing became apparent: the ending needed to be changed. They had given me some amazing suggestions, and I ended up taking those proposals and blending them with my own ideas\u2014and I am so glad I did. Then, after I finally finished the final draft, copyediting began. It was really cool to see all of my odd grammar quirks I had never noticed before. But the best part of the copyediting process: they fixed my terrible usage of the semicolon (my worst enemy) and supported my use of the em dash (my best friend). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once we had gotten the content and grammar out of the way, I got to pick the art for my cover. It was one of my favorite parts, and arguably the hardest. Every single one of the covers I was offered were exceptional, and I had to slowly narrow it down before I settled on the one that I felt was the best fit. When my cover was set in stone, we started the marketing. It was tons <\/em>of fun. I got to make a playlist\u2014which I based off of Elsie\u2019s emotions through the course of the book\u2014and answer some super fun questions for Pub Club\u2019s instagram. Teya and I also made an appearance on Good Morning Emerson, and I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever felt so professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every part of the publication process was such an incredible experience, and I am so grateful for the opportunity Wilde Press gave me. I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m going to see my own book in print, it still hasn\u2019t totally set in yet. But I can\u2019t wait for our launch! It\u2019s definitely worth coming to visit us at the Bill Bordy on April 29, from 2-5! The best part: all proceeds from The Neural Network <\/em>go to The Innocence Project, which helps fight wrongful convictions and lobbies for reform of the American Justice system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Wilde Press Spring ’23 Author Maddie Gregorski It all started with a single scene: an argument. 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