The Gatekeepers
and why are they keeping me out?
In my Chapter Two Life: Mary Got Her Groove Back by Writing, I have discovered the very secretive world of “The Gatekeepers.” Part of the process in book pre-production, is getting noteworthy people to write “Blurbs” testifying to the brilliance of my writing, the likeableness of the characters, and various other factors connected with (currently) my memoir.
The problem, is “getting” to the people I actually want to “Blurb Me.” The email request and associated PDF containing a synopsis, first 50 pages and all Chapter Summaries are sent to an assistant of some sort who either, a. flat out refuses to forward my request due to “regulations” or no response at all. None, no response, nothing. I am most vexed by the latter but bothered by both.
Shouldn’t it be up to the person from whom I am requesting the “Blurb” to decide if she/he likes what I have written and feels the overwhelming desire to help me as a debut author, with their stamp of approval? But, it isn’t.
Now, my question is, how do I get The Gate Open? Do I scale it MacGyver Style and find a way “in” and around the Gatekeeper? Do appeal to the actual Gatekeeper to give this author a chance? I think I am more the MacGyver type. I’m talking the original MacGyver. (Theme song playing over and over in my head) This is going to require some creative maneuvers I have yet to figure out.
How about you? Is there a Gatekeeper in your life, holding you back? How have you dealt with these people? Thank you for reading my writing. Thank you for letting me in Your Gate.
Marketing is by far the worst part of trying to sell art. I would like someone to do all that other than yours truly😀
Mary, are you familiar with Bonnie Garmus, the author of Lessons in Chemistry? Her novel was rejected 98 times and now she is a global bestselling author. I am reading an interview with her right now. Never give up in any of the stages in getting your book published.