Imagine Me and You: A Novel

What is it about?

A writer's imagination gets the better of him when the lover he invents becomes real... and refuses to disappear.

What are people saying?

"Both utterly charming and vaguely psychotic, Billy Mernit's ode to the buoyancy of the human heart is a thoroughly entertaining ride."

--Theresa Rebeck, author of Three Girls and Their Brother

When does it come out?

Tomorrow.

Doesn't it seem like only yesterday that readers of Living the RomCom were treated to the sound of me freaking out -- in a good way -- over the news that Random House/Shaye Areheart Books had bought my first novel?

Remember when my editor requested that I change its title (then called Making Up) and I held a contest here to rename it, and sharp cookie Anna Hailey from Alaska picked the winner?  (As promised, she gets a thanks in the acknowledgements, with an autographed first edition on its way to her this week.)

And maybe you recall my various pukings and mewlings over the difficulties of revising what I'd foolishly thought was a finished work, and rants re: the writing process that birthed the book and all that.  Well, we've finally moved from the realm of hopes and dreams into the province of real time and space... which is where you come in.

It's pretty simple, obviously -- if you've enjoyed my disparate ruminations and ramblings here over the last nearly-three years (free! and free of advertising! every week!), here is your golden opportunity to say thanks with a show of support: this Tuesday April 8th and after, go to your bookstore, be it real or virtual, and buy my book!!!

Over the next six weeks, I'll be posting dates and details for My Littlest Book Tour at the top of the right-hand column.  You can meet me and my imaginary friend in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Baltimore and New York City, reading and signing and occasionally showing film clips (the S.F. appearance will be a full-blown romantic comedy seminar), so by all means come by and say hi if I'm in your vicinity.

Reviews are not yet in, but for a snarky not-so-good-one from industry rag Publishers Weekly that currently sits atop my Amazon.com page, thanks, betraying what from my wholly subjective POV seems to be an age-old East Coast literary bias (i.e. who's this screenwriting guy who thinks he can write a novel?!).  I'm glad it's followed by the accolades from Ms. Rebeck, Elizabeth Crane and Danny Rubin (the guy who wrote Groundhog Day).  And if you enjoy your read of the book, please feel free to write your own online review.  Every bit of goodwill helps.

Meanwhile, the experience of finally seeing this little sucker in print totally trumps all such issues, and the perks are killer.  Every writer friend I spoke to, prior to publication, told me I would hate my cover, but nuh-uh: not only do I like it fine, the generous and inventive folks at Shaye Areheart saw fit to add gold embossing to the background pattern, and man, I gotta say the j-peg doesn't even vaguely do it justice.  I lurve my beautiful cover.

And the beauty part is, no matter what may or may not come of this book joining the legions of books that are presently piling into bookstores all over the world... there it is: a done deal, manifest and real.  They can't take that away from me.

Imagine Me and You: a testament to the idea that dreams can come true.

Comments

[Neil]

The best of luck and congrats! I can't wait to read it!

[binnie]

I ordered it this morning, and look forward to you signing it in a couple of weeks!
Congratulations, Billy.
xo
E

[christina]

Ditto what Binnie said - I'll order it and read it before you come to SF, and have it waiting for your signature. Oh man, it may even be my plane book when I fly to Chicago on Thursday.

So happy for you!!

But one question - when I pulled up the Amazon page, they linked it to an already produced movie with the same title. (About lesbians!!) Let me guess, when they make your novel into a movie, they'll have to use the original title, right?

[E.C. Henry]

Huge fan of yours, Billy. Just spent all weekend re-writing and line editing a screenplay of mine thanks to a pro's coverage I got hooked up with of a recommendation from you.

Can't wait to read, "Imagine Me and You." I've read your other book, "Writing the Romantic Comedy" so many times the cover's falling off. Maybe I'll buy BOTH books tomorrow when I get off work. You do know that in writing a "how to write a romantic comedy" you've already set the bar by which you will be judged? (But the GREAT ONES are always pulling off stunts like that)

Keep being awesome. Wish I could catch your tour. But hey, Bonney Lake has a Starbucks, whatcha say to doing a little read action in cozy little environ like the B.Lake S.bucks? And hey, I'll spring to keep ya caffinated!

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

[Tom Green]

Congratulations, Billy. I've ordered mine!

[jen]

Congratulations! I'm so pleased for you.

I'm going to Powell's tomorrow to pick it up!

[Stephanie]

Congratulations indeed! I'm looking forward to cracking the cover and getting high off that new book scent.

[Tuna]

Congrats Billy! I'm picking it up first thing tomorrow!

I'll be seeing you in NYC hopefully

[Greig]

Congratulations, Billy. Must be an exciting time for you again. Copy ordered from Amazon and soon to be winging to the UK.

(If it's any consolation, the movie of the same name has a major chase to the airport at the end and I know you'd be proud to be associated with that.)

[mernitman]

Thank you Citizen Neil!

Binnie, I will sign it with glee (and ink, I'd think).

Christina, I have always wanted to be a plane book!

EC, thanks for reminding that I've set my own bar (i.e. to end up dangling from?)...!

Thenkew, Mr. Green.

Oh Jen to be in Powell's...

Stephanie, to me it's subtly redolent of cedar, but see what you think.

I look forward to Tuna.

Greig, you know me too well. But check back in here when you've read MY ending...

[binnie]

Glee, ink, and a SMILE!

[Rachel Hauck]

Woo hoo! Congrats on the release. Can't wait to read it.

Here's to great sales and great reviews.

Rachel

[Barbara]

BRAVO!

[Joanna Farnsworth]

Congrats, Billy! Have ordered a copy. And, requested some for our Public Library. Sorry I won't make an LA reading. I cut short my visit, in favour of second trip in summer. Enjoy your new status, you "Published Novelist", you!

[Judith Duncan]

Congrats Billy and good luck on the promotional tour :)

Cheers,
Judith

[debbieb]

Woohoo Billy! I've got IMAGINE ME AND YOU!!! I'm ready to play your CD and curl up for a romantic fun adventure! So so exciting!! Dreams do come true! It happened to YOU!!! Yay Billy!

[Kathy (Rachel) Dilbert]

Hi Billy,
I went to Hew. high school with you, and remember you fondly. Congradulations!! I look forward to reading your book!!

Kathy (Rachel, now)

[sal]

Congrats Billy! Looking forward to buying your book and finally meeting you on Sunday all being well.

How about a book tour to the UK next? Combined with a romcom seminar - I'm sure I could rum up some custom!

[Scarlet Hip]

I will be ordering it immediately! Let me know if you're going to do an east coast signing, I'll be there. Congratulations!

[mernitman]

Rachel, here's to you, as I'm already drinking.

Brava Barbara,

Happy Trails, Joanna,

(Still drinking, so) Here's to Judith and Debbie B...

And speak, memory: Hi, Kathy Rachel!

Sal, UK next sounds good to me.

Scarlett: NYC gig details coming your way.

[sal]

Billy, so sorry not to have made it on Sunday. I was waiting for a call from the person who was going to give me a lift, and it never came! Grrr! So, let me know what you need doing to set up a UK romcom seminar + signing event ...