We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Cander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, how do you think about risk?
I wrote two novels before my “debut,” 11 Stories. My agent tried for almost a year to place the first, but despite a dozen very complimentary rejections, nobody was willing to take a risk on it—or me. There were concerns about the fact that it was “quiet” and “dark” and that because it didn’t fit nicely in a marketing box, it would be difficult to break it out in a big enough way in hardcover. We put it aside so that she could shop around my second book, which I’d started as soon as I finished the first. Let me pause here to say that what I’ve learned most about the publishing process is that without thick skin, ferocious determination, and a high tolerance for disappointment, it’s frustrating. Even with them it’s frustrating. We heard many of the same concerns about the second book—quiet, dark—but then we were approached by a senior editor at a major house. She loved the story, but had some thoughts and wondered if I’d be willing to talk to her about them. She was excited and engaged and thoughtful, and by the time she asked if I’d be willing to take out the entire second half and continue the first half to its own conclusion, I was so thrilled at the prospect of working with her I’d have renamed my children if she’d asked me to. In three months, I’d completely reimagined the novel, written 250 new pages and changed the title. My agent loved it, and the editor did, too—but not quite enough to buy it. And although it was “almost there” she didn’t feel good about having me continue to work on it if she couldn’t guarantee a contract. We didn’t give up, though, and soon enough another editor at another major house wanted to know if I’d be willing to talk to her about some changes. I was and I did them and we were all happy and when I met with her in New York, she ended our meeting by saying that she hoped this was the beginning of a long and productive relationship. They passed a week later. Can you imagine? Twice I did custom rewrites for editors who hadn’t offered me a contract. Now imagine it one more time. And like the other two, the editor loved many things about the rewrite, but not enough to pull the trigger. I could’ve stopped writing then. Many rational people would have. I didn’t. I kept going, writing my characters into fruition even when the gatekeepers kept saying, “No.” My fifth novel will be released in February 2024, because I risked writing against terrible odds.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m passionate about my work. Many years ago, my son, Josh, asked, “Mom, if you weren’t a writer what would you do?” and I said, “I’d be a writer. There’s nothing else that I would rather do.” I’m doing exactly what I want to be and was meant to be doing, and I passionately love the way I get to spend my days. I’m incredibly lucky to be able to say that, I know. I really am doing my favorite thing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d take a morning walk with my friend Laura Conley of Urban Paths, probably though Glenwood Cemetery. We’d have lunch at Shiva, a North Indian restaurant which was in Rice Village for decades before moving to a (less charming but still wonderful) new spot on Buffalo Speedway. In the afternoon, we’d visit the Menil Collection and neighborhood, and spend extra time at the Cy Twombly Gallery. After dinner at Romano’s on W. Gray, where my husband and I have been going for thirty years, we’ll hear some live music at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, where we had our wedding reception. A week, you said? No. By now, I’m exhausted, and my friends will have to entertain themselves.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My girl gangs: my Fun Friday friends, who are my children’s “other mothers;” my fellow Taekwondo practitioners; my book club; my sisters. These are women who have cheered and championed me all along the way. My life and career wouldn’t be the same without them.

Website: www.chriscander.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriscander/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscander/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ZY-ZkvJ-Deks1wpXXpXvw

Image Credits
Chris Cander

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