On The Metropolis Case

In which Matthew Gallaway aka your local gay recluse gets a book deal.

Eight or nine years ago, we decided to write a novel.

It was actually our second attempt; the first one -- a satirical look at internet start-up culture in the late 90s -- we had retired to the desk drawer after sending it around without much luck.

This new one was more ambitious: it was rooted in Wagnerian opera, Lou Reedian post-punk, the philosophy of Schopenhauer, Jungian psychology, the life and death of cities, French aestheticism, the magic of memory, gay identity and -- most importantly? -- cats. It srsly took forever to write!

And when it was done, it was literally 1000 pages long.

We sent out some queries and a few people expressed interest. But everyone was like: "Hey, what century do you think you're living in? Good luck selling a 1000-page novel about opera and philosophy and French aestheticism!"

Whatevs. We started this blog and tried not to think about it too much until someone kindly suggested we send a blind query to a "big-concept" agent, which we did.

And he wrote back! And not only that, he helped us streamline the story, so that it actually held together (or so we hope) instead of drifting off into so many theoretical tangentzzzzzz.

These revisions took the better part of a year, but the resulting novel was at least 1,000,000 (one million) times better than the original version.

And then -- just like that -- he sold it!

Given the choice between a few smaller "literary" houses and a gigantic, multinational conglomerate, we went for the latter. Ha -- we sold out!

But not really, because the editor really loves the book, and so does the publisher. Here's how cool our editor is: she just bought a memoir by Belinda Carlisle (yes, of the Go-Gos!) and she also acquired the NA rights for Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold, which was nominated for the 2008 Man Booker Prize. (So take that, literary cred!)

Of course there will be more revisions and editing, but we're looking forward to it. We'll obvs keep you posted as things progress.

But right now it feels like more of a dream. We ask how this could be happening, when the odds were so long.

There's also an irrational fear that it will all fall apart.

But for now, it's on.

We read about it this morning in Publisher's Marketplace, as if we were reading about someone else.

FICTION: DEBUT

Oxford University Press editor Matthew Gallaway's THE METROPOLIS CASE, the sweeping tale of an unlikely quartet, bound together by the strange, spectacular history of Richard Wagner's masterpiece opera, Tristan and Isolde, to Suzanne O'Neill at Crown, by Bill Clegg at William Morris Agency (NA).

Comments

[Yvonne Connasse]

Brilliant! Please keep us posted. From the description alone, it sounds completely "my kind" of book.

[Atherton Bartelby]

I literally let out a mini-eruption of "SQUEE!" from my mouth just now. Literally. That is such amazing news and I am so happy for you! Most sincere congratulations!

[TJW]

Well, TGR, we always knew you had it in you, despite your coy withholding of too many details lest you jinx it all. We were waiting to see if the mysterious and wonderful agent would take you on and now we've been catapulted ahead to news of a book deal. My head is spinning - but in a good way! Rock operas, ceramics, blogs, real estate mogulry . . . what can't TGR do? Of course, you got an agent and a book deal. So, while your loyal public eagerly awaits publication of your first novel, I hope you're already thinking about your next one. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[John Anthony]

I am thoroughly amazed and srsly very very happy for you. Congratulations!

Enjoy every second of your success!

Best,

John

[The Gay Recluse]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! I'll def keep you posted...

[Caitlin]

Wow, congratulations!

[Karin]

Congrats Matt! What awesome news. Can't wait to see you in print.

[Anon in Paris]

Congrats... I discovered your blog only recently, after following some links about the infamous Nike story, and it has quickly become one of my favourites. Looking forward to reading the book!!

On another note, reading the first comments I was shocked that anyone could label themselves "yvonne connasse"... but after some Google search I wondered if this could be a real name after all.

[ephemerist]

Congrats. That's fantastic news.

[$ries]

congrats!

[Aaron Altman]

Your story has inspired me and countless others. Perseverance is the only road I'll take from now on.

Bravo to you, TGR, and thanks for giving us hope.

[dagrolord]

Congratulations on Living the Dream. Kudos on a Decade well-spent.

[kirsten]

Yay yay! I'm so happy for you. And this is the first of many I know!

[shiitehappens]

The world's not so bad...well done.

[c.]

I told you so.

;)

[How To Make Money Using The Internet]

Nice article. Keep up the great work. Thanks again, Ryker