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Rembrandt - In Pursuit Of The Elusive Publisher.

whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
edited May 2002 in General Discussion
I don't want to step on a thread so I'll start a new one. The travails of a UN writer, I am discovering, are myriad. UN as in un-published, unknown, un-agented, un-sung and un-wanted. I sent the synopsis and the first three chapters to Tor/Forge and got back a form letter. They didn't even read what I sent. How do I know? I know. So now I'm torn between just writing, which I love, or prostituting myself, which I loath, (well, maybe if the price was right....naw, let's leave that alone.) I have 90,000 words of the second book done and I hate to leave it to write pleading letters to agents and editors. I think I will write all three books, maybe four, if my secondary character continues to get any stronger and then submit `til I get tired of it. I write for the sheer pleasure of it. I have no need for more money and I'm not going to live that much longer so pleasures are treasures.

Thanks for asking. Good for the ego.

Clouder..

Comments

  • RockinURockinU Member Posts: 248
    edited November -1
    Being somewhat new to the forum, I don't know about this...what is your book about? Are you selling copies to board members? Reading is my other, other obsession. (Maybe there is another other in there...I'm kind of an obsessive person)
  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RockInU:
    It's a contemporary western, a mixture of (I am squinting my eyes real tight in anticipation of the thunderbolt) John Jakes, McMurtrey, London and Ruark. It's a trilogy and I've finished the first one.

    I used to post the occasional chapter here but the flak I got for using up so much space made it uncomfortable.

    I haven't and won't peddle it over the internet. I believe books are somehow sacred and this place is sacred's antithesis.

    Clouder..
  • RockinURockinU Member Posts: 248
    edited November -1
    Oh, I like westerns. I'm a big fan of Elmer Kelton. Especially "The Good Ole Boys", "The Time It Never Rained", and "The Man Who Rode Midnight". If you ever do decide to sell one, let me know, I'd love to read it.
  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Clouder, The last thing I can imagine is you prostituting yourself.As bad as I wont to read it, Write for your reasons.Not some B.B.brain on the thirty second floor of a publishing house.

    No, you don't need me to tell you this, But it helps ME deal with that rejection letter.

    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.
  • salzosalzo Member Posts: 6,396 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Whiteclouder- Have you ever heard of the author John Kennedy O'Toole? He wrote one "published" book called "CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES". One of my favorite books.
    Anyway, he was searching high and low for someone to publish his book. He got nowhere. Hwe actually visited several publishers after they rejected his book, and was thrown out of quite a few offices. He was so distraught about his book not being published, he killed himself.
    A few years later his MAMA started peddling the book, and she went to a literary type at a college, who was also in the publishing business. He was annoyed, but figured he would do what he always did whenever someone asked him to read a book, read the first page, and then tell the author he was not interested. He read the first page, and was amused so read the second, then he couldnt put the book down. The book was published and OTOOLE won the pulitzer prize(the "literary" type writes about it in the forward of the book).
    Its kind of like artists who live in poverty while alive, and then their paintings are worth millions when they are gone.
    I dont know if I was trying to make a point, but if you want to get that book published, send it as many publishers as you can. Some may not be too impressed, but others might love it.
    I encounter this in my profession all of the time. Some people think I am a great player, while others say I cant play my way out of a paper bag. I have learned that some things are just too subjective, and I just ignore the praise and the criticism alltogether(well I listen to the compliments a wee bit).I am confident and happy with my art, and that is all that matters.


    Happiness is a warm gun
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Clouder,
    I know Stephen King tried to bypass the publishing world and try the internet approach...I don't recall if the outcome was successful or not. One thing is for sure....years from now your grandchildren will treasure the fact that you persued the writing path. Good luck and may you be able to enjoy the rewards of your endeavors.
  • Ms. BeastMs. Beast Member Posts: 496 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    'Clouder, I would love to read it. I loved the part you emailed us and think I would enjoy knowing what happened to Lori. I will wait until I see it in the window of the bookstore and then send it to you for an autograph!
  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    MsBeast:

    Lori is alive and well. You made a lovely character.

    As did Zap, and Rosie, and Bob (ISL), and Homer, and Metz.

    Clouder..
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Try ExLibris, we did. It will cost you a few dollars and may be the most practical start.
  • Patrick OdlePatrick Odle Member Posts: 951 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Clouder
    the rejection of your work ,means nothing, so ,and I know this will be hard,but try not to let it cause it to doubt yourself or your writing talent. It is the same for all unpublished writers. I had my book
    HELL AND HIGHWATER ON HINKLE CREEK published in paperback and payed for the publishing myself, after going through the routine of sending sending 3 chapters to all publishers i thought might be intrested, and having them form letter me back saying thanks but no thanks. I bought a book of publishers and for just your mailing address would be glad to send it to you, also would be glad to send you the name and address of the publisher I paid to publish my book. Your Book sounds intresting as I have read a lot of Zane Grey and Louie LaLamoure. Don't Give Up. Good luck
    Patrick
  • Jungle JimJungle Jim Member Posts: 264
    edited November -1
    Clouder,

    Don't let the rejection get you down. You know my background, and I can tell you for every success I had there were 100 rejections. The key to it is to not let anyone change your belief in yourself and your writing. Try the agent route if you have to, but never pay anyone to publish your work.

    Good Luck, my friend !

    Jim

    "De Oppresso Liber"
  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    patrick:
    I too have that book, or one similar. I went through the trouble of reading every entry for every publisher and literary agent. I created a database of those who might be interested, even remotely, in my type of work. So it's not the contact information, it's the time. I'd rather spend it writing. As most here know, I've never suffered from self-doubt and the only way some 9-dollar-an-hour temp is going to dissappoint me---well, never mind, I'm past that anyway.

    But thank you anyway for your offer, that's very generous.

    And the rest of you, I appreciate your comments and suggestions.

    Clouder..
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