The Memory Box Turns 10?!?!
Join me on this wild ten year recap . . .
It’s hard to think about life before THE MEMORY BOX. It has changed my life. As many know, I never planned on writing a book, let alone, switching careers from the cosmetics industry to publishing. But years ago, an article in the NYT about people Googling themselves, and how one of those people—a 17 year old boy—discovered he was on a missing person’s list from Googling himself, stuck with me. My thoughts turned into nightmares about a mom of young children Googling her name and discovering shocking details of a past she couldn’t remember. Then those nightmares turned to insomnia, at which time I started writing furiously.
I still can’t believe it turned into this incredible experience. Well, it wasn’t all great. After 87 agent rejections, I nearly gave up. Rejection is rough. Soul-crushing. It changes your view of your own work. Something that you may have felt proud of, all of a sudden becomes worthless even in your own eyes after 87 rejections.
Though I didn’t want to self-publish, I knew if I didn’t, I’d be getting one more rejection: from myself. After learning everything I could on how to self-publish like a boss, I did just that. And thank god I did. To think of all I would’ve missed! Over 200,000 copies sold worldwide. 212 book club appearances! Multiple translations. NYT bestseller. USA Today bestseller. The #1 book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes. Signing paperbacks in two NYC Barnes & Noble stores! #1 Bestseller at my town’s book store—thanks to my local community! A reading at the beloved Cornelia Street Cafe on a magical snowy evening in New York City! An incredible book trailer produced by my Turkish publisher! Seeing photos of readers from all over the country reading my book. An article in VICE Magazine written by a journalist with the same name as my protagonist, which she discovered when she Googled her name and my book appeared! My life has become rich with new friendships as I’ve connected with so many amazing authors. And so much more, including nearly selling the TV rights to a very famous actress—I’m not giving up hope yet!
All of this paved the way for teaching and speaking at conferences and a consulting business in which I help authors to publish and market their books—one of the best parts of this gig. I truly believe my professional reinvention combines everything I love to do. The creativity of writing and being a storyteller, with the entrepreneurship of marketing and owning a small business, combined with great speaking and teaching opportunities.
None of this could’ve happened without my incredible readers. Not a day goes by without my feeling deep gratitude to all the readers who took a chance on me and became fans, and continue to tell their friends about my books, write reviews, invite me to their bookclubs, send me lovely notes and wait anxiously for my next book! Thank you readers—I’m so grateful to you all! If you haven’t yet read THE MEMORY BOX, and your interest is piqued, you can find it here or anywhere books are sold!
Remember, if you can dream it, you can do it.
Congratulations, Eva! The Memory Box has a place of honor in my own memories and is one of the books I often recommend. I'm delighted that so many other people feel the same way, as evidenced by those amazing stats! 🥰
Congratulations, Eva!! You are an inspiration! Thank you for always sharing your wisdom and these behind-the-scenes looks at the writerly life!! Xx