BiblioQueria 19

Remember that little book I wrote and illustrated a while back, the one my literary agent has been trying to get published? Well, sorry, still no good news to report. I think it has now been rejected by 6 publishers to date. Very frustrating. Even more frustrating is the fact that on two occasions it was a 'close but no cigar' situation, in which some editors loved the project, but unless everyone is on board, it just ain't gonna fly. And this is even after I did a rewrite on this sucker, which at first I wasn't thrilled about, but in hindsight, I think it does add another dimension to the project. But let's be sure about something – this little book idea is no magnum opus, ok? Just a light-hearted, hopefully witty, and hopefully fun read.

Anyway, from what I understand about this whole process, part of the problem with my project is that the bigger publishers are hesitant to pick it up because let's face it, I'm not Dan Brown or Candace Bushnell, and they cannot be assured that this book is going to pull in a lot of cash. It is beginning to look like I will have a slightly better chance at getting published by a smaller publisher, who is perhaps more willing to take a risk on a nobody like me. What makes me so sure about this? Because not too long ago I was approached by a small publisher in NY to write and illustrate another little gift book idea. So it looks like I will be getting published after all, just not with my original idea (yet, anyway!) I'm just waiting for various contracts to be signed, and then the deed is done, and the real work begins (actually, I'm already working on the project, because I'm very neurotic and paranoid about staying ahead of deadlines). I'll go into further detail about the project, once those lovely contracts have been signed. I'm trying to be calm about this whole thing, but in truth, it's very exciting, especially having my agent negotiating my first book deal. I know it's silly, but it makes me feel so great!

So it got me wondering about a few things. Why do I have this need, this desire, ok, this obsession to be published? What are my motivations for getting my work in print? I've already had my illustrations published in books (and there will be some book illustration projects coming up in the near future, which I will discuss down the road), so why isn't that enough to satisfy me? I want to have both my words and my illustrations in print. I want the entire project to be mine, right down to the last brush stroke and the last comma. So let's face it. It's not just a desire to share my creative energies with the world, it's definitely an ego thing. I admit it. I want to walk into a bookstore, and see my book on a shelf, waiting to be bought by another book luster. But it's not just ego which motivates me in this direction. I love words, and I admire people who can take all the letters of the alphabet, jumble them up and create something utterly magical. I want to be able to do that, too! For me, writers are magicians, and I see myself as The Sorcerer's Apprentice, fumbling and bumbling around, screwing with the broomsticks because I don't quite understand how to use the magic. But I'll keep trying, and maybe one day I won't cause a massive flood while fetching the water.

And so, after all my blathering, my questions to you are ....

Do you want to be published, too? And if yes, why?

Comments

[Cara]

Yes, I definitely want to be published. I write pieces that I hope other people would like to read. I also enjoy sharing books I've loved with my friends and family. It would be wonderful if I could do that with my own work someday.

There's an ego element to it, too. I think I would feel like I've wasted my time on all these projects if they don't get published.

[Jordan]

As much as I'd like to believe otherwise, it's validating to get published or otherwise recognized. It somehow proves you're not just screwing around, it makes it okay that you've invested all this time and energy while neglecting so many other things.

[R J Keefe]

I can't have enough readers, but I'm not sure that what I'm writing belongs in codex form.

[kPorn]

CONGRATS!!!
One day, maybe I'll publish my self-porn stills as a book...
k.

[Isabella]

I want to be published, but I have no real aspirations to write or be a writer; that is, I wouldn't mind the glory, without doing any of the work. And it would be glory — I revere books and their writers, so even if no one bought my book, publication would signal being being allowed entrance into the pantheon.

[Leslea]

I've sacrificed a lot of time in order to get my book as far along as I have--if it never gets published, I'll have wasted years. I can't live with that.

[iliana]

Congrats Patricia! Keeping my fingers crossed that all those contracts and details are sorted out perfectly.

On being published, well I like what Jordan posted. It would make it seem like all those times I ignored family, friends, etc. were worth it. I've had a few poems published and it is validating. I used to want to write a novel... Well, I still dream about it but I'm beginning to realize I don't have the discipline to actually write it :)

[Zachary Houle]

Getting published would be very, very cool. It's validation for those seven or eight years of lonely, hard work. But I guess it can't be the means to an end, because, let's face it, there is only one Dan Brown and one Stephen King and one J.K. Rowling, etc. Not very many well-known writers right now. I guess that's a product of our age.

But, hey folks, I came really close this week. Really close. Check it out:

http://zacharyhoule.typepad.com/invisible_ink/2006/06/so_close_so_clo.html

[patry]

I want to share my characters and stories, my thoughts and insights with real readers. I want my family to be proud of me. I want to earn my living doing the work of my mind and heart. And yes, there's that ego thing, too: I want to walk into my local indy bookshelf and see my novel on the shelf.

[Cipriano]

My dad had that exact typewriter. It is uncanny.
Nostalgia.

I would like to be a published author, probably moreso than any other dream I have.
I have a friend that has now written two-and-a-half full-length novels, and I periodically hear of the horrors he is forced to go through, in revisions, and CONSTANT editing.
If it were me, I would have long ago pulled all the hair out of my head.
[He is bald. Swear to God, this guy is bald as a cue-ball, and I DO NOT think it is coincidence!]
A rough, rough world. The publishing racket.

[Deb]

Patricia,
I ponder this question all of the time. I treat most books that pique my interest enough to purchase as little gifts from the author to me, so I suppose I (insert ego voice here) view publishing as my gift to like-minded folks.
Deb

[Luc]

hi Patricia

Have you considered self-publishing? I know it sounds nowhere near as impressive as the *real deal*, but it can yield surprising results in the long run.

I was reading on Boing Boing a few weeks back about how several authors had given up on getting their books published, and offered them instead as PDF downloads or free ebooks. A year later, after the books had been downloaded 100s or even 1000s of times, and been reviewed favourably all over the world (another advantage: global distribution), the authors in question got their book deals.

Another option is something like Lulu.com. Upload the book, advertise it, see the feedback, maybe even print out a few dozen (you get the book at cost as a lulu publisher) and offer them to some local bookstores on consignment (obviously not the big ones.. they wouldn't play that game) and other small, locally owned gift shops that might carry it, and see what happens.

Just make sure you advertise the hell out of it when you do this: blog entries, emails out to friends and clients (maybe even send a few free copies out to clients?), etc..

I find that waiting for the "powers that be" to get their acts together pretty frustrating.

[Debbie Ridpath Ohi]

Yay, congrats! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I've had nonfiction published, but I desperately want to get book-length fiction published as well. Why? Because I've always loved reading fiction for young people, would love to see my books out there on the shelves as well. Yes, it's an ego thing...but it has to be, else we'd be content to write for ourselves. But no, I want as many people to read my writing as possible! :-D

I look forward to buying your book!

[Heather]

Well, I am published. Articles, essays, devotionals, poems and one self-published volume of poetry as well. But, my answer is yes, I am always wanting to be published. It feels... i dunno... satisfying.