On the plus side of the equation
Got my fifth agent rejection (nice and personal) and the good thing is that I figure the agents who say no are saying no for the same reason a publisher would say no. So it gives me a chance to consider that feedback and use it as I figure out what to do next. I do think I need to focus on getting more of it written since the best feedback I’ve had is from the agent who was most interested (and who said I need to do this).
This last agent said she’d recently been shopping another adoption “momoir” (argh! that term!) and it didn’t sell. I wish I knew who that writer was so we could commiserate! But hearing that term? Makes me think I need to write more to show this isn’t pure memoir. (Like — “here is my story.”) I need to work on some of the more investigative parts of the book to show this. And also because doing that really scares me. Just thinking about it scares me! So it must be done.
I find these stories about publishing interesting, as a reader (since I’m not a writer). What’s struck me, in reading your blog and some of your published pieces is how much more I like the blog (even compared to some of the free-er stuff published in things like Brain Child or Mothering). I think some of that is the medium — here on the blog, as reader, I know you and know history. So, you don’t need to re-introduce it in the 3 page article you get to publish.
But, nevertheless, I often feel like as a reader, the commercial process of book publishing is sucking out the personality of the writer, and making the books into a common mold, that sucks the individuality out of the books (i.e. the ick-factor of the whole word “momoir” ugh.). I like the story of Dawn, not the story “Two moms: a mother comes to term with the meaning of open adoption” (or whatever gibberish your real story gets transformed into in the publishing world).
The same thing happens with the more investigative/journalistic books (i.e. where you make it more than a memoir by following up on other people). They become stuffed into some niche.
And, then, the publishers/editors/agents wonder why we readers don’t buy the books.
I’m whining here (and perhaps not being helpful, since your goal is to publish your book). But, as a reader, I fear that authenticity is being sucked out of books by the publishing process, and they’re slowly killing themselves off. I hope they figure it out, ’cause I really want there to be really good books to read out there, and I want authors, and publishers, and agents, and all the folks who make them to get paid for what they produce.
MOMOIR?? Gag- like, a mother’s memoir wouldn’t be interesting enough or a true memoir, we’ve gotta cutes it up so it’ll sell.
I’m sorry. But I do agree that having more of the research will make it a more compelling sell.
you and I need a writing marathon.
You will do it. I think it just has to be added to yr list. The one you start today. I know you will find it in the right and authentic way that will be scooped up and treasured. xo