Question about publishing

hopeingod · Post by **hopeingod** » 19 Apr 2014, 16:09

Is there somewhere I could get an honest opinion as to whether or not my life story is publishable and of some worth? I've not written more than about 1500 words, but it is enough, I think, to see where I'm headed.

I've been published as a reporter for three dailies and as a freelance writer for magazines, but I have not yet written a book. Where does one begin?

Do I write it first, then submit it to loads of publishing houses, or do I get a nod from an editor with interest, then continue with the project?

It's autobiographical, so there is no research to be done, except, perhaps, to search out the name of a place or person.
David

KC Osborne · Post by **KC Osborne** » 19 Apr 2014, 17:07

I would write the story first and then send it around to publication houses who specialize in memoirs. When you're done you're going to want to do the research for which house is likely to accept the genre you're writing in. If you send them a sample of what you are writing and they ask to see more then you aren't going to have it ready to go. Also, if you base writing the story on whether or not someone accepts it before it's completed, then you may miss the chance to find a publisher that will take it.

Look at it this way, JK Rowling was rejected numerous times with a completed novel before someone picked it up. Now Harry Potter has a movie series, theme rides at Disney, and is one of the best selling series in the world.

So best advice is, if you feel the need to write your story, do it. When you're done you can send it around and see if anyone is interested in picking it up. If no one does, you still have the option of hiring an editor on your own and going with self-publication later on. At this point, authors have options in how to sell/promote their books. Of course there are pros and cons to both forms of publication. The trick is to have a product to sell, and to focus promotion on groups where your story is going to resonate.

Good luck.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 19 Apr 2014, 18:05

Okay... you probably know this already but unless you're a celebrity or have recently had a hugely newsworthy experience, or maybe a writer with a big publishing record, no publisher or editor or agent will even look at a book unless it's finished, done, complete, The End.

Also, and you know this too... autobiographies are chancy. You may feel that your life story is publishable (worthy of a publisher risking substantial money to underwrite your book) but chances are that the book won't gain sufficient support. That's just life. Don't therefore count on anyone backing your autobio until it's complete.

Of course I don't know you or your story at all. Your life may be notable and merit consideration. But getting it finished before submission is likely paramount.

hopeingod · Post by **hopeingod** » 20 Apr 2014, 07:14

Thanks mt. I was guessing as much. Probably I should stick to my favorite escape material, westerns. I also love classics, but one breaks into that genre posthumously.

I've read biographies of actual nobodies that got published. A good example would by Donna Williams' Nobody Nowhere and Somebody Somewhere, the autobio of a gifted woman with autism. It's an amazing look into the condition as it's being lived out. I guess she did it simply because of who she is, like the blind Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles.

npandit · Post by **npandit** » 20 Apr 2014, 07:37

I've read memoirs or autobiographies from people that don't necessarily lead flashy lives, that are very well written and nice to read. The same thing that is needed of a good fictional story is needed in an autobiography--it has to tell a good story. I wouldn't feel discouraged from writing it if I were you. Even if it's not published, at least you would have had the experience of seeing your idea through.

hopeingod · Post by **hopeingod** » 20 Apr 2014, 12:32

Thanks for the encouragement, np. I still am typing away at it, although more in an editing mode. Even when I was a reporter, I did that. I'm kind of obsessive in regard to sentence structure and the use of descriptive words. I have already sold a couple stories from my past to different publications, although those were more like columns.

violetpretty · Post by **violetpretty** » 20 Apr 2014, 15:53

Have you tried National Novel Writing Month in November? It is very motivating! Set a goal to write 1,500 words a day and before you know it, you'll have a novel!

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 20 Apr 2014, 16:15

I once worked for newspapers, also strung for the AP, so I appreciate the regular output needed for such work. However a full length book is quite a different task, and not just because of its length. The scope and arc of a book, regardless of whether a novel or non-fiction, necessitates control over pace and rhythm, attention to character development (even if the character is a real person), and a great deal of concentration. This you of course know.

My main point to your initial post is not whether bios of non-famous people can be publishable -- they certainly are -- but whether a premise or incomplete bio can be successfully shopped to an agent or editor or publisher. I say not, that the book must be finished and polished and wrapped up in a nice bow before anyone will consider taking a look at it.

Should you feel compelled to write your autobio, please do go forward with it, but first try to be unbiased and ask whether Joe or Jane Reader would be so interested in your life story that they'd shell out 20 bucks. I've let a pretty fascinating life but I in no way whatsoever think this about myself.

hopeingod · Post by **hopeingod** » 20 Apr 2014, 20:28

Thanks violet for the heads up. It would be impossible for me to write 1500 words each day when I hold down a very demanding full time job. After retirement, perhaps. For now, I'll take things as them come.

mt, I've read many biographies and autobiographies of famous writers, inventors, celebrities and politicians. They were known prior to the writing of their life story, so that would, obviously, give them a head start. Still, through the unfolding of their histories I read less than I thought should be there. Would they amaze the uninformed? Possibly, but not all of them.

npandit · Post by **npandit** » 21 Apr 2014, 08:37

hopeingod wrote:Thanks for the encouragement, np. I still am typing away at it, although more in an editing mode. Even when I was a reporter, I did that. I'm kind of obsessive in regard to sentence structure and the use of descriptive words. I have already sold a couple stories from my past to different publications, although those were more like columns.

No problem! Hope it comes together well, and I look forward to seeing it on the shelves!

In regard to your comment about being obsessive about sentence structure and descriptive words--in a writer, I see this as a very, very good thing.

(The question then becomes when to finally stop obsessing.)

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 21 Apr 2014, 08:55

The essential question is whether your autobio would be sufficiently interesting for a publisher to accept the book and underwrite its printing. Regardless, my primary point still answers your question -- no, I really don't think a publisher would be amenable to even considering an autobio that wasn't finished. You must first complete the book, totally done, carefully proofread, and polished as best as you can make it.

Re. writing 1500 words per day even if you work full time? I never did a comprehensive word count but I wrote 2 complete novels (both sold and published), maybe 6 short stories, 20-30 book reviews, and articles, all while working full time as a consultant for "big oil" deepwater drilling design and engineering. It can be done -- it just takes concentration and dedication. Plus some late nights.

hopeingod · Post by **hopeingod** » 21 Apr 2014, 15:14

A minority of writers, as I discovered, measured quantity as inversely proportional to quality. James Joyce proudly considered the completion of two perfect sentences a full day of work and Dorothy Parker, an obsessive reviser, even skewed to the negative, once lamented, “I can’t write five words but that I change seven.”

That is how I am, and always have been.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 21 Apr 2014, 16:03

I find that I'm about average as a writer, moderate output for the number of hours spent slaving over a warm laptop. I'd estimate that about half the time I'm revising and half actually writing.

I never set a specific goal per day -- some days I'm not interested or I have other things to do -- go out w. my girlfriend, spend time w. friends, see an opera or movie or whatever. Other days as per recently, I'm fired up and write for hours.

I do try to write for a set of intermediate goals, such as an arc of 3 or so chapters. That's a tenable chunk of writing and seems to work fine for me.

hopeingod · Post by **hopeingod** » 21 Apr 2014, 19:36

My writing is so important to me that I have had to be bluntly honest with the woman in my life, and it's cost me. Over the past several years, she's drawn away a bit. Not that we split up; we haven't. Still, it hurts her for me to be who I am, rather than me taking on the role she wants of me.

She's retired, and has been for a couple of years, and waits for me to make my break from work. Unfortunately, neither my calendar, nor my mind, are able to keep track of all the events and birthdays, including the necessary gifts, etc. that come with taking on her large family. And so I am looked at as being selfish by several of them. The remarks are said playfully, yet meant, I'm sure, in earnest.

For as long as I can remember, I have looked forward to writing MY thoughts, not some public event. I've been there, done that.

In addition to reading and writing, I also, when the work is there, play a bass in a duo/trio. Five nights a week we used to work, back when there was a healthy economy. In a big way, I've paid a price to hold on to my creative side, one that is consistently a turnoff to most women I've known. I don't have a family, and never did. At home, it's just me and my cat.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 21 Apr 2014, 22:41

Well, the cat is good, as I've always known. But to put your writing above a relationship? Maybe if you were, oh, Stephen King. But hey, you're not that far along. My gentle advice is that you must make time for the woman in your life. But of course, it may be that she's simply not the one.

My previous girlfriend and I were together for about 5 years but eventually things cooled off and we split. We're however still friends. Not long afterward, I chanced to meet a woman with whom I'd had an intense relationship during the late 80s and one afternoon, there she was in the exact same tavern where we'd first met. We rekindled things and now we've been living together for about 2 years, and things are excellent.

She understands my writing and gives me time, and she has her own interests, some charity work.

Would I quit writing for her? Thankfully that isn't the question. I sustain our relationship because I want to, and I write because I want to.

Maybe the woman you talk about isn't the problem, it's her big family. And let me quietly suggest...you can be close to her and not so close to the family, just cordial. Just sayin'

As for other endeavors, for several years I sang opera, mostly chorus but a few roles, too. This was a small but legit opera company with full productions in the original language, costumes and makeup and all. Imagine memorizing 40-50 pages of Italian or French lyrics and performing them on stage and in full costume. Imagine how much study and work is required. All this while I worked full time as an engineering consultant.

So it can be done, but you have to set goals.