Don't Give Up
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Trying to get published can be an extraordinarily frustrating experience. The key is to not get discouraged. Too often writers get a few rejection slips and give up. That is not the way to get published! You have to keep at it. Send out those lit mag submissions. Send out your latest poem. Send your book proposal to yet another agent or publisher. In my latest book, the most cogent advice offered is to not give up. Persistence is the only guarantee to publication.
There are some writers for whom publication is easy. Most of us aren't those people. We have to keep working at it, revising our work, improving it, and sending it out again and again.
It can be frustrating, but it also can result in reward. I love the story of Selden Edwards, which is included in my new book, Navigating the Rough Waters of Today's Publishing World.
For more than thirty years, Edwards worked consistently on a novel, crafting, revising, rewriting. Finally, after receiving rejection after rejection, in 2007, Edwards sent it to a content editor in New York who had been recommended to him. Patrick LoBrutto, a former editor with a number of New York publishers including Ace Books, Doubleday, M. Evans, Kensington, Stealth Press (an Internet publisher) and Bantam, worked with Edwards on the book for several months. Finally, satisfied that it was ready, LoBrutto told Scott Miller, an agent with Trident Media Group in New York, about the book and suggested Edwards send it to him. Nine days after Edwards sent off the manuscript, Miller called and offered to represent him. Two weeks later, Dutton’s Penguin imprint bought the novel for $750,000.
The Little Book was published in fall 2008. It’s a tale of time travel and improbable encounters between a 1980s rock star, Wheeler Burden, and famous people from 1897 Vienna, including Sigmund Freud and Gustav Mahler.
Before long The Little Book was on a number of national bestseller lists, including the Indy List top 10 and The New York Times list. It also was chosen for a number of “Best of 2008” lists. When the paperback came out, it was chosen as Costco’s book of the month in the company’s newsletter, which goes to eight million people.
Edwards has been walking on clouds ever since, and sold a second novel to Dutton on the strength of The Little Book’s sales. This is a story of hard work, yes, but also of perseverance. Edwards toiled for a long time, rewriting and revising. Ultimately, it paid off.
Don't be discouraged. Keep sending out your work. And don't lose faith.
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Mara Buck says:
Oblivion
It becomes increasingly ironic to me that I titled my novel “Highway To Oblivion,” a novel which remains unagented and unpublished after less than half a dozen query letters. (“Great query, but fiction isn’t selling, and by the way, who the hell are you?”)
Wonderful advice, Marcia. Like a (friendly) wake-up slap in the face. “Thanks, I needed that!”
If you really strain, you can hear my fingers busily typing another round of query letters.
I’ll race to score an agent before your pub date, but I’ll read “Navigating…” anyway.
Best,
Mara
Marcia Meier says:
Don't Give Up
Hi Mara,
Glad this was helpful to you! Keep writing and keep sending out those submissions. (As to the "Who the hell are you?"question, create a platform for yourself if you haven't already. There are tips on this in my book.)
:)
All best, Marcia
Mara Buck says:
Just had to compliment you
Just had to compliment you on the gorgeous new photo. It changed like magic as I was reading your reply!
Marcia Meier says:
My photo
Oh, my goodness! Thanks. The other is nearly two years old and a friend took this one a couple of weeks ago.
Marcia
Chris Rodell says:
Great pep talk, Mara!
That's something we all need to hear, Mara. Never give up. Never, never, never, never, never, never give up!
Thanks!
Sharon Dreyer says:
Sounds as if you've been there, Mara!
Years ago, I read one author's take on rejection letters. According to his story, all rejection letters should be saved and when the "magic happens," send press releases to all of the agents and publishers who rejected your novel. Since this seems too in your face, it would be fun to contemplate the satisfaction of revenge.
There are also the stories like mine. After fifteen years of writing, editing, and rewriting, I thought that I had found a reputable agent and publisher. While I'm still on a high about the book being available in hardcover, another author told me to check out my publisher at Writer Beware. Shaaabang! I'm working to find another agent and publisher. The only thing more disappointing is to review the actual breakdown of royalties; now there’s another arrow through the soul that leaves an awful scar.
Still, if you give up it's a given that you won't be published. Thank you so much for your blog. More importantly, thanks for helping me to keep my dream alive.
Marcia Meier says:
Good for you!
Dear Sharon,
Thank goodness for Writer Beware, and I'm glad you're forging ahead. Like I said earlier, you can't be published if you don't keep trying. :)
Good luck, and let me know if I can help in any way.
Marcia
Cheron Holland says:
Thank you for the advice. It
Thank you for the advice. It is always nice to hear positive words from published Authors who've traveled the "publishing" road. I am not a young writer, but I've recently found my inner voice, that wants to write and tell stories. Your Blog is very helpful to writers, like myself, who possess a passion to write, but require positive reinforcement and motivation to get the ball rolling. Thanks again for the encouragement and your profile pic is very lovely!
Marcia Meier says:
Thank you Cheron. Keep
Thank you Cheron. Keep writing! The best writing comes from within.
All best, Marcia
Hilary Zaid says:
Editors for Hire
Marcia--
There's a critical element in the Selden Edwards story that receives little comment: after decades of discouragement, he brought his manuscript to a professional editor (a self-described "scout" for Trident). Presumably, Edwards paid handsomely to have his book edited, and the investment paid off, in his case, in the form of a well-placed contact: the editor handed the manuscript directly to an agent at Trident.
There's important information there, I think, and also a caveat. More and more, we hear that agents and editors "no longer edit." This can mean that a writer essentially needs to pay for services that were once part of the publishing process. This can work out, if the editor is well connected. But it can also leave a writer with a lot out of pocket and, potentially, no better off than when s/he began. There's great danger of predatory, or simply unhelpful, practice out there. On the other hand, it can be a very hard world to break into without connections.
What do you think about this business of writers hiring their own editors?
Hilary
Marcia Meier says:
You're absolutely right
Selden did pay for editorial services that ultimately got him published. And it was not inexpensive. Sadly, you're right about not being able to expect that editors will be editing your work. They won't. More and more, agents are taking on that role. But many will simply tell you to hire someone to put your book in shape. For writers who need help (and who among us doesn't?), it does mean finding a reputable editor who knows her or his stuff. And it does increase the possibility of being taken for a ride.
The best advice I can give on this is to ask other authors for independent editor suggestions, and then check them out and interview the person before putting a penny down. Ask for references and proof of successful publication of those with whom he or she has worked. You can also ask writers conferences for recommendations of editors. Many people who teach at conferences also provide editing services. But the key is always to check out credentials, and trust your gut.
Marcia
Hilary Zaid says:
Editors for Hire
My point is this: We need to stop telling the Selden Edwards story as if it is a story about sticking with it, and start looking at the fact that he, essentially, paid his way to an agent. Is that the shape of things as they are now?
Marcia Meier says:
No, the story of Selden
No, the story of Selden Edwards is he spent 30 years writing and revising what turned out to be a good book. He didn't pay his way to an agent. He hired a good editor who helped him improve the book and then connected him to an agent who was interested. Without all the hard work beforehand, he never would have found a publisher. No editor can make a book work that isn't substantially good in the first place. LoBrutto primarily helped Selden see that his original ending didn't work well, so Selden _ Selden_ came up with a new ending that made the book what it is today.
Marcia
Hilary Zaid says:
Connections
Marcia--
It's not my intention to denigrate Edwards' many years of work. Of course, it matters that he started with a good idea and stuck it out. (The role of the editor in shaping the material is an interesting, but separate one, possibly best illustrated by the Raymond Carver/Gordan Lish relationship. Worth re-reading the New Yorker piece) My point is simply: perseverance is critical; but it may not be enough. As in many, many other areas of life, having the right connections can make all the difference.
Marcia Meier says:
And by the way, NO ONE can
And by the way, NO ONE can pay his or her way to an agent. Doesn't happen, and it denigrates the entire agent community to suggest that someone can pay an editor to get you an agent, or a publishing contract.
Marcia
Thomas Burchfield says:
We All Need Stories Like These
Thanks Marcia:
I've been at it long enough to warm my toes with the ends of my beard (OK, not THAT long)and I know how that all feels. I actually have experienced several groundswells of interest throughout my career and am experiencing what may be the start of another one
Though, unfortunately, I finished my Dracula novel just when another of those periodic marketplace reactions against such things seems to be setting in.
The cycle will turn again but, in the meantime, I'll just keep working on the next one, while occasionally reminding myself that Norman Mailer had *four* novels in his desk drawer before finishing one he could publish.
Michael Pokocky says:
The conversation must continue
All of my research points me to a observation. In the day when publishing houses were not owned by massive corporations, and there was no internet, the gate keepers were people who liked books and if they liked your book, then you got published. Was it harder back then? I think not. But a book deal could be done over the phone in 5 minutes or less and an author was set for life. [there is an excellent interview with Georges Borchardt, Agents & Editors: A Q&A With Agent Georges Borchardt | Poets & Writers: http://www.pw.org/content/agents_editors_qampa_agent_georges_borchardt ] to back up my claim that there was a golden age of publishing and there was a man named George Borchardt who was there and saw it and did it.
When I read this article I could not get it out of my mind and for good reason. It is the most definitive source of where the publishing industry came from, how it was run and where it might be going__and much more as well. I trust an expert who has been doing what they love for over 50 years.
Although I agree with what you wrote and the idea to never give up, I question publishing today and who gets to control my future as a writer. I certainly don't want to be dealing with the suits as I know what they are because of my Investment Banking career. I certainly don't think anyone in publishing today has my best interests at heart. I certainly don't think publishing is not what it could be today considering there has to be a new revenue model for the publishing business. I don't think that publishers today are the new gate keepers. I think the new gatekeepers have yet to be born. But they are coming and they will not be what you and I expect. They will be human and act like the heads of the publishing houses that George Borchardt talked about. And the opportunity for this is on the edge of being born, as the new gatekeepers.
Ironically George Borchardt interview provides a lot of clues as to what these new gatekeepers will look like if you read between the lines. I keep reading this interview over and over and am getting closer to formulating a Big Idea. And this big idea takes into account the Internet and the old ways of traditional non-corporate owned publishing houses.
It's very difficult to frame right now and for that I am sorry, but at least I suggested an idea and provided a credible source for further inquiry.
The conversation must continue._____Michael
Marcia Meier says:
Borchardt piece
Hi Michael,
This piece on Borchardt is a good reflection of what is going on in the entire publishing industry, which mirrors in many ways the shift to corporate mentality thoughout society. What a sad, sad commentary that money so drives publishing today that editors fear for their jobs and unknown writers have few hopes of getting published. Writers have no choice but to take charge of their own careers, and that is hard for so many. But it's a fact of life these days. It's why so many also are going to self-publication. The publishing industry is essentially closed today to all but the most prolific and profit-producing publishing phenoms, like Dan Brown. And you certainly can't call his work literature.
I don't know the answer, but I've tried in my forthcoming book to give writers a little peek into the future with advice from industry folks, and some tools to find their own success.
I'd love to hear the Big Idea you alluded to when you have had a chance to form it more.
Marcia
Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda says:
Hi Marcia
Hi Marcia,
My name is Balthazar and I am a new author here on Redroom. There were times when I felt like giving up writing because my books aren't selling that and that meant that I wouldn't be an award winning author. I have always dreamt to be an award winning author and I don't just dream, I act. When I decided to recall my 4 published books, I looked at areas where I had to make serious changes and I did. I share my story with you because you are an encouraging author and I believe you are one of the author in this community who can have a positive influence in me and other authors. I am so grateful for this message and I am willing to consider connecting with you as well. Thank you for being an inspiration to me.
Balthazar
Marcia Meier says:
Dear Balthazar, I'm
Dear Balthazar, I'm delighted you have been encouraged by my blog on being persistent. My goal is to help other writers achieve their own writing goals, and so I would be happy to provide guidance and advice to the extent I can. I will be blogging on the road to publishing, bumpy as it is, in coming months, so stay tuned. And watch for my book when it comes out early next year. I believe it will answer a lot of questions and provide a road map for those of you who aren't sure how to navigate a very difficult publishing environment today. Good luck, and feel free to send questions. All best, Marcia
Michael Pokocky says:
Featured your book on my blog illliterature
I featured your book on my blog: illliterature's posterous - "Presenting and introducing the writers of other scenes and societies not covered by mainstream media"
[ http://illliterature.posterous.com/7629556 ], which then is posted to Michael Pokocky (illliterature) on Twitter
[ http://twitter.com/illliterature ]
Marcia Meier says:
Wow! Thank you, Michael. I'm
Wow! Thank you, Michael. I'm honored. Marcia