BRINGING THE RECORD UP TO DATE
In response to a few Gathers who have been following my saga in attempting to get my memoir published here is where things stand both practically and phenomenologically.
In the last batch of submissions (5) I reveived two more rejections: #9 and #10. Both of them returned my submission after having it in their possession for less than two weeks. It does appear that if a publisher is not interested they tend to return the manuscript within a week or two.
#9 was extraordinarily unimaginative and frankly a waste of time. He said that the company just doesn't use my type of content.
#10 was a different matter. This rejection had the flavor of being oh so very close but in so doing had the net effect of making me feel as if I have been teased. The publisher (editor?) said that she liked the content of a professional psychologist describing in detail the behind the scenes happenings in a drug rehab center (Odyssey House - treating heroin addicts in 1966). She further indicated that she was surprised that no one had covered this territory yet. [This comment is obviously encouraging as she validates almost virgin territory]. This was the good news. Now comes the bad.
But [always in a rejection note is the dreaded but] there is too much of the author's story and not enough of what happens with the rest of the staff and the addicts.
Ugh! I felt rage building up in me as I read this rejection note over and over again hoping to gain some valuable information to use to finally forge a key to unlock the gates of a publishing company to get the treasured book contract.
Why was I enraged?
She had only read the required two chapters we submitted. The other three are filled with what she said was absent. How could she simply assume that there isn't what she wants on the basis of the limited sample? But perhaps more importantly the book at root is a memoir. And memoir means that it is a personal story. In this case it is a story of a life defining 17 month period in my personal history that deeply affected my personal and professional quest for a solid identity and the vicissitudes I went thorugh in so doing.
Damn! Damn! Damn!
It is the same old story. If you want to act you have to have credits from your last picture. No precious credit, no contract.
While the damn, damn, damn suggests continuing passionate frustration the greater truth is that I have become rather resigned about waiting. Obsessing, wishing, second guessing, stroking good luck charms, bitching, sending my intense desires into the ether, praying, and the likes seems pointless. None of it is likely to influence the decision makers. I will either connect with some one publisher who likes both my content and my actual treatment of it or I will not. That is the reality of the issue. All the rest is pure childhood fantasy.
Perhaps it is hopefull that there are 3 more submissions that will be entering the 6th week as of this coming Tuesday yet to be heard from. While no news is no news it isn't bad yet and appears to indicate that my manuscript is perhaps being passed around at three different publishing houses.
In the meantime my agent - bless her - continues to be encouragingly supportive. She is convinced one of these days we will score.
What I have done is to have concentrated on my second book tentatively called Demystifying Meaningful Coincidences (Synchronicities). I have been interviewed three times on different internet radio stations. The one I like the best is Shrinkrapradio #75. If anyone is interested in hearing an hour interview on this most interesting challenging and perplexing topic I invite you to hear the archived broadcast.
So on it goes. While resigned I am more committed than ever to get my memoir published. As long as I have not exhausted the paying publishers I will continue sending my manuscripts to them. If and when there are no more of them then I will self publish. But one way or the other my memoir will eventually be published.
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Comments: 24
Is there a way to force feed this woman the rest of the story? If she really was interested and not just blowing smoke, she may change her mind if she knows the things she wanted are coming in the next pages.
My brother has written a couple of books...novels. He has had the same frustrating experience. Both books started rather slowly in my opinion (I served as manuscript typist and informal copy editor.)
You are one big step ahead of my brother...you have an agent. He can't even get an agent interested in representing him. Instead, he has tried to market the books himself, sending out query letters and chapters of the book...I think they only asked for one chapter.
At my suggestion, he rewrote the first chapter of one book, adding more drama and excitement to "grab" the reader. Still no luck.
It seems to me his books are at least as well written as much more famous authors like James Michener and Tom Clancy. His character development is far better than either of them. Their characters are "cardboard." Simplistic stereotypes with no human depth. As you say, it's a chicken-and-egg problem. They won't take your stuff seriously unless you're a published author.
So I do understand your frustration. The only words of comfort (or wisdom) I can give to you is to keep on writing. I wish you all the luck. One day, perhaps you can paper a wall with your rejection letters and have a framed copy of your book jacket placed dead center. Now won't that be a laugh on all the naysayers!
Good luck with your journey.
It is particularly frustrating when I have received 7 rejections with the comment the content and writing is compelling and or very interesting but they are at a loss as to know how best to market it. UGH!
The reason for most of the previous rejections? Opinion was that people would not be interested in the life of a seagull.
It is all about finding the right editor.
How about revising your first two chapters to include more of what the publishers want?
Keep in mind that your readers need feeding - they won't read beyond a few pages if their hunger to find out EVERYTHING is not satisfied.
Feed them meat, feed them gruel, just feed them.
You could reorganize your chapters to include addicts and staff in more of the chapters.
I am MOST interested in the Addicts, personally.
I bet most other readers, are, too - and how the STAFF react to them.
Just a thought.
I think Kathryn's suggestions are excellent. Have you considered podcasting a chapter or two, or excerpts? How did you find your agent - she sounds like a good one?
How does she feel about podcasting as an adjunct to what you are both already doing? Podcasting may become bigger and better than "blogging" as a way to gain attention and add "credits" to your writing credentials.
Great article. Your courage and determination has encouraged me.
Send Gibbs an email saying: "I'm ready to buy as soon as it's published"
Gibbs,
Save the emails and when you have a few hundred responses, show your agent and have her let the potential publishers know. " Look at the orders from people on just one website who want this book, know the quality of his writing, and are ready to buy sight unseen."
If you buy a book, Gibbs will autograph it. Then you can flash it around when it hits #1 on the NY Times Bestseller list. I'm first in line.
Gatherites - copy this and do a short article or post as a comment on another article about publishing.
Gibb's spent "15 years on the couch" learning to be a psychtherapist, but waiting for a contract is driving him nuts. Let's start a KEEP GIBBS OFF THE COUCH chain of articles!