As my kind readers here know, I am trying mightily to grow my writing career. Part of doing that is the honor of writing and then posting on this site. I also belong to other social media sites, as per the “way things are done in today’s publishing world.”
The other day, I had an Epic Fail. I posted a “Mood Board” I had created (super fun) and a 280-character (not words, but letters) synopsis of my latest book. It is a Rom-Com, and I have to say, I love it! I have never written in this genre, and the freedom of making this up, like dialog, action, crisis, getting back together, etc., was beyond freeing.
The above paragraph doesn’t scream “Epic Fail,” but the response I had from participating editors was. If one of them liked your pitch, they would send you a red heart. Then, one would follow up with them to include the necessary items (Query Letter, Chapter summaries, sample chapters) depending on their individual requirements. I received ZERO hearts. ZERO.
My heart was broken temporarily. It was. I had gone into the contest with the attitude of, “Oh well, I have nothing to lose by trying.” So, I thought I was so chill about it all, but it turns out that somewhere deep inside of me, I depended on someone “hearting” me, thus affirming the worth of my pitch.
My heart is resilient, if nothing else, and I set to work the next day, working on the next draft of the manuscript, building out scenes so they read cinematically. Super fun. My daughter was the one who reminded me, “Mommy, didn’t you say Some record companies rejected the Beatles?” I couldn’t believe she had remembered who The Beatles were, or that I had told her that! It is true! I am not comparing my work to the masterful work of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. I am simply acknowledging that they did not stop. And as they continued, their artistry grew, as is evidenced by each successive album.
OH! I got the exact publishing date for my Memoir, Move with a Purpose, with She Writes Press, and my first book, my very first book, will come out on August 13, 2024. Now, I need a publicist. But how in the HELL am I going to pay for a publicist? I haven’t figured that part out yet. HELP!
Thank you for reading. I don’t know if I will do an audio with this one. My heart is still a little mushed from the Epic Fail.
Hearts all the way from me, Mary! ♥️♥️♥️
Really excited that you've had your memoir's publication date confirmed - that's brilliant news!
And keep at it - you'll get there! Being excited about something is half the battle. This is what you said:
"It is a Rom-Com, and I have to say, I love it! I have never written in this genre, and the freedom of making this up, like dialog, action, crisis, getting back together, etc., was beyond freeing."
Well, if you keep putting words like this out there about it it's going to surely hit the mark! ♥️♥️♥️
I’ll heart you any day Mary McKnight!