An overnight success? Not for most writers.

I'm currently putting together a compilation of stories from a variety of crime fiction authors on how long it took them to write and sell their first novel.

Most of the responses, predictably, reflect a period of years, with considerable rewriting and failed manuscripts, before success was finally achieved.

And then there's Lawrence Block, author of the recently released All the Flowers Are Dying:

"My first novel was written in two or three weeks and sold to the first publisher who saw it."

Fifty-plus novels later and it all looks easy...

Check back periodically for more responses.