I won’t bore you, dear reader, with the details of how I went from New York publisher Kensington producing my first novel “ANY KIND OF LUCK” to then doing the second one entirely by myself except to say that Kensington wanted a repeat “serial” of the first book and I, after ultra brief consideration, graciously declined. I’d already said what I’d wanted to say on the subject. I waited nine months for Dutton to then determine if I was worthy enough for their illustrious imprint (I wasn’t!). And then it was off to the salt mine hell of small, Indie publishing houses. I had to pull the book from one persistently mendacious publisher, got dropped by another for daring to question their imperial supremacy (and such unmitigated joy all for virtually zero money.) I finally ended up sticking the galleys in my desk drawer and sternly ignored the muffled whimpering emanating forthwith for several years before having a head-slapping, V8 moment. Self-publish and be damned!The big fear is that I wouldn’t have the brilliant editorial input I’d received from Kensington. Wrong. I had TWO editors at CreateSpace; equally sharp, equally insightful – both wizards of paring fat and keeping the wheels on. A very rewarding experience. And there is indeed a “just rewards” God! SIGHS TOO DEEP FOR WORDS was a Finalist for three National Book Awards (LAMBDA LITERARY, 2013 General Fiction; FOREWORD REVIEWS, 2012 Book of the Year; and the 2013 BALCONES FICTION PRIZE) and won two (2013 INDIE EXCELLENCE, Winner Gay and Lesbian Fiction; and 2013 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS, Winner Gay and Lesbian Fiction.)
From KIRKUS REVIEWS, – Sibley blends skillful storytelling with a sharp insight into human nature in this darkly humorous, intricately plotted tale of a prison inmate who, through years of correspondence, falls in love with a woman he has never met – a woman who turns out not only to be a gay man, but a closeted gay minister. Readers looking for an entertaining book with surprising touches of depth and emotion are sure to enjoy this fresh, dramatic tale. Funny, touching, heartbreaking and insightful.”