APPARENTLY CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
So I had managed to make it to the end of the 4th week with only two rejections out of 4 possibilities. A bit smugly I speculated that no news was no news privately believing that no news is good news. My speculation was pure fantasy and magical thinking as my agent called late on Friday to tell me we got another turn down of my memoir submission.
Anything new to be learned? Yes. Editors {sample of three} seem to be remarkably in lock step. The rejection letter once again indicated that the author's work - me - made for "compelling" reading. {That appears to be a plus}. However - here it comes the essence of the rejection: - "I just wasn't in love with it enough."
Who, I wonder started this cutesy form letter and how come it is the rejection of choice? {I know three letters is a bit of an over generalization but really!}
Reading between the lines and additional research suggests that what is being said to me is your writing is good but we can't be certain that we will recoup the money we would be giving you. So it would appear that the glitch in getting my first book published is based on three uncertain reasons: marketing, marketing, marketing.
The key issue is WILL IT SELL? Considering that the publishers combined batting average of successes versus failures is about 40to 50% they are obviously not experts in fortune telling.
MY MIXED REACTIONS
Surprising to me the expected pain did not materialize. Instead I felt and feel more resolute than ever.
Having immersed myself in marketing I finished the outline I have been working on for the last few months. This outline of marketing information consists of specific market advise I culled from reading 7 definitive marketing books such as Jump Start Your Own Book by Tom and Marilyn Ross.
Figuring a publisher needs to be utterly convinced I am ready, willing, and able to actively participate in marketing my memoir, I expanded the marketing section of my submission.
Maybe this will work, maybe it won't. But I am absolutely determined to have my memoir published and by a top notch publisher. I can identify with Joshua at the gates of Jericho. Apparently I have to keep banging on the gates with all my power refusing to let up until I smash a hole in the fortification.
Today I am very tired feeling beaten up - obviously a delayed reaction to the not so good news. But my resoluteness is redoubled. Anyway there is still one more publisher to go.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 25
(Great advice from one who hasn't gotten off her butt yet and marketed her finished novel! I am using my energy in a job first, then will get back into publishing.)
Bruce: I have completed or nearly completed the following two manuscripts:
UNDERSTANDING COINCIDENCES (SYNCHRONICITIES):
THE PHENOMENA, THE AWE RESPONSE, IMPLICATIONS, EXPLANATIONS, and USES
CLIMBING MOUNTAINS IN INNER SPACE: A DEFENSE OF LONG TERM PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
Just pull up your socks and keep marching.
good luck !
we are rejected in so many ways but we must stand up and walk again.
You have us all holding our breath for you.
By the way, do not discount the medium and small sized publishers. For example, my own publisher--CDS Books--belongs now to the Perseus Books Group and they treated my book (A Son Called Gabriel) wonderfully and did a fantastic job in its marketing. If I've learned anything with my publishing experience, it's that the large houses may really not be the best place for a first time author; first time authors don't often get a campaign and the book is just one of hundreds that appears in a season catalogue. There really is no point in being published by Knopf, etc. if they aren't going to support the book in any way.
I enjoy your analyses of the rejections, but am glad you're not getting bogged down in the process. BTW, is your book more academic in nature? I know you compare it on occasions to Frey's book (A Million Little Pieces), but it sounds like it's geared to a different market. Frey's was more entertainment, if you will. Is my opinion that your book is more academic correct?
Tomorrow is a new day. Keep your chin up and your feet planted firmly on the ground, my friend.