Update: “Bill Warrington’s Last Chance”

You may remember this from back in August:

At the age of 6, James King announced his intention to become a novelist. And in his 50s, that was still the plan. Yes, he paid the bills (and two college tuitions) with his day job writing corporate training materials. But every morning at 5, he’d turn on the computer in his basement in Wilton, Conn., and after a few minutes of staring at the screen, spend the next couple of hours writing fiction no one ever wanted to buy.

Fifty-four book agents had taken a pass on his fourth unpublished novel when he happened upon a link to something called the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition on one of those agent’s Web sites. “What do I have to lose?” he asked his wife, strictly rhetorically. And this Monday, Aug. 9, as winner of that contest, which was entered by some 6,500 writers in 22 countries, James King’s debut novel, “Bill Warrington’s Last Chance,” will be published by Viking. On its cover, the mystery-writing machine a.k.a. Sue Grafton tosses this humble bouquet in his direction: “This is what reading is about,’’ she says of King’s first published work of fiction, “and what a good book is supposed to do.’’

I contacted Jim who was kind enough to do a Q&A here. An excerpt:

Is it really true that 54 agents rejected your book? Was it difficult to handle that much rejection or did you get immune to it?

Yes, 54 agents rejected the book. But as I learned from attempts with my three previous unpublished novels, 54 is not an incredibly high number of rejections. Rejection is never easy, but you just have to tell yourself that it’s the nature of the beast. A conservative estimate of the number of rejections I’ve received over the years would easily run in the several hundred.

So how did the book eventually end up getting published at Viking Press?

I was surfing agent web sites, searching for the next agent to send my manuscript to, when I came across a reference to the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, sponsored by Amazon and Penguin Books. The Grand Prize was a publishing contract with Penguin. I checked it out, it seemed legit. I had never entered a contest before and was hesitant to do so, but as my wife put it, “What have you got to lose?” I entered the contest and promptly forgot about it. Thousands of manuscripts were submitted from more than 20 countries. I didn’t see any possible way I was going to win. But through some miracle, I did, and Viking — one of Penguin’s imprints — was named as the publisher. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. Viking!

Could you describe for us the very moment when you learned you had won the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest? What did you do to celebrate?

Amazon and Penguin brought the three finalists into New York City for a special dinner and, the following morning, the awards ceremony. I was sitting at table with my wife, Joanne, and the other finalists and their spouses. I was sitting very still, trying to fix a smile on my face that would not betray the disappointment I’d feel when one of the other finalists was announced as the winner. When the presenter announced that the winner was “Bill Warrington’s Last Chance,” I remember wondering if I’d be able to stand to accept the award. Such a mixture of happiness, gratitude, and… relief!

I live close to New York City, so soon after the awards ceremony and after a wonderful visit to the Viking/Penguin offices, my wife and I went home to celebrate with our two children, who were waiting at home with balloons and champagne. Best party ever.

Now this great news. Via Collider:

Producer Barry Josephson (Life As We Know It) is bringing James King’s novel Bill Warrington’s Last Chance to the silver screen. The novel tells the story of an elderly man who kidnaps his 14-year-old granddaughter with the hopes of reconnecting with his estranged adult children (at least “Plan F,” I’m hoping) before losing his memory to a bout with Alzheimer’s. From Variety, Alexander Young will act as executive producer on the project under Josephson’s “Josephson Entertainment” moniker.

So I got back in touch with Jim who emailed me this:

Getting a book published after so many years of trying has been a dream come true. But then to have a film deal with Josephson Entertainment… well, ‘icing on the cake’ doesn’t do justice or begin to describe how thrilled I am. Santa most definitely came early this year.

Congratulations, Jim! Your persistence and creativity has paid off yet again.