In 2008, as my agent started sending my memoir out to editors, Lehman Brothers closed up shop and so the Great Recession began. Homeowners, wannabe homeowners and the middle- and lower-classes were sent on a terrible downslide.
Publishing is about money and when money disappears, fear sets in. Once that shaking starts, endings begin. Editors left publishing in droves, either being sent on their way, or choosing the role of seller over buyer by hanging out a new shingle: "Literary Agent." Unknown writers flailed, banged their heads against walls, and waited.
I was delivered these facts by an editor. He informed me that memoir was "low-hanging fruit" and recommended I self-publish because I was neither a celebrity nor a sanctioned authority on the subject matter, and my memoir was devoid of salacious material (read: addiction, murder). Therefore, a traditional publishing house wouldn't buy it.
My agent refused to give up despite this other news: Folks are distracted by YouTube, Netflix, Twitter and a host of other entertainments, and are reading less than ever.
What to do?
I wrote more. I wrote another memoir ("Really good; can't sell it," my agent said.) and two novels ("If this were the nineties, they'd have sold in five minutes"), and waited ("I have interesting news...").
So now I have a book coming out, published by a small but enthusiastic publisher. This may or may not help sell my novels, but we aren't giving up.
What to do?
The brick-and-mortar book tour has transformed into me sitting at my laptop feeding online sites. I also make occasional visits to bookstores to badger owners into placing my memoir on their shelves.
What to do?
I write more. There is no other answer.
I chose art as my way and no artist in the history of the world has had a smooth ride. And not writing is not an option. I couldn't sleep if I didn't write. Does the cream rise to the top? Not sure. What is true, in my experience, is that the top is high, the cream is thick, and nothing ever, ever will happen in my time frame.
I'm asked, "Aren't you excited?"
I'm just plain relieved. Just plain exhaling. And I can sleep.
Nice post! Great advice
Hey Patricia,
To answer your question: I didn't want the expense of self-publishing for one thing. There is an enormous amount of work for a writer to get their work seen and critiqued and sold WITH a publisher. Three times as much in self-publishing. When established writers, with a readership, self-publish it can work very well. For an unknown writer it is an over-crowded playing field. I waited a long time and continue to wait with my two novels sitting in the wings, but I am better with a team. I can't wait to get this memoir out there, to do the required follow-up and then to get to work writing another book.
Why did you decide not to self-publish? Just wondering.
Well done Mel. I suspect there is a lot of wisdom and experience in your book. I look forward to knowing when it is out.
Nice Post - thanks!
Thanks, Mel! This is truly an inspiring story -not about getting published - but about perseverance and belief in your writing life as a worthy way to go. Did anyone ever say this would be easy? If they did, I never heard it. We have to believe the day to day experience of putting words on a page is worth our precious time and earnest effort. We are not doing this to feel good! But I, too, like to breathe deeply and sleep.