Like most of us I dream of walking into a bookstore and seeing my book on a shelf.  Having it stocked through a distributor like Ingram.  As much as I want my book published; I dread the Regional Authors section.  That section no one ever visits and is usually in the back of the store.  Of course as of right now I would take that section too.  Yes, I know that sounds like a hypocrite, maybe so. 

I have watched the book market for years.  I have dreamed of writing a book since I was in seventh grade.  I had written many short stories for those gifted English students and won an award on an occasion.  Still I was as chicken as ever to commit to a real project.  I had already played out the scenario countless times.  The answer always no, “You suck” or “stick to basket weaving”.    

At thirty four and medially retired from the Army I decided to try my hand.  I poured through all my old ideas and story lines.  In the end a side project took hold.  Not a fictional book but a Non fiction narrative.  My book has become a passion.  I do or die mission in life.  Old thoughts no longer there! Hmm? 

Since I started pushing my manuscript proposal I have learned all about the Traditional, self, and something in the middle Publishing houses.  Well I do not have twenty to forty thousand dollars to do the middle thing.  I don’t want my book to sit on a virtual shelf and finding a Traditional Publisher is very daunting.  To quote Stephen king, he had 98 “no’s” before he got that one “yes”. 

I am in a proposal stage with a possible local publisher.  They are that “middle” publisher.  They are very reputable with a good distribution network and a proven track record. They turn more manuscripts down then they accept.  Knowing that they sincerely love my work is of course a boost to any writer’s ego.  So why don’t other big publishers like my work?

That seems to be the question.  One says no, one says yes.  The artist is left to the editor’s opinion of your work.  The only option we have is self publication.  This is a great medium.  We the artist have the power over our work.  It remains our dream.  The editor can not cut up our canvas and decide what they see in our art form.  There is still that downside…

Book stores and distributors only sell what is “proven” to make money.  Some distributors will not pick up a book or publisher unless they have ten titles under the name.  Well how do you break into the market if you only have one?  Where would Edger A. Poe or Jack Higgins be if they had to have already proven themselves in the market to be accepted in the market? 

I am in no way a Paris Hilton watcher.  The thought makes me ill.  Still, just the other day she announced she wanted to change her life.  Find new direction.  She said she could find other mediums.  One of these ways could be through her “WRITING”.  Okay wait a minute.  That book was ghost written.  In other words she paid an actual writer to write for her.  Has anyone seen her book?  My ten year old daughter has seen the book.  I did not approve of this.  For the record, she lives with her mother during the school year.  My point being is that this is what “big” publishers want; contemptuous-popular junk.  The greats are rolling in their graves and have been for quite some time.

I have found so many here on Authorsden have wonderful talent in putting creation to pen/font. So many of us struggle to get beyond the “virtual” shelf of publication.  Distributors will not deal with us.  Our only avenue is networking and maybe by queer chance a sound bite that pushes us to the level of “The Secret”. 

My brother is a manager at a Borders store.  He is also a good author in his genera.  He does all he can to help me find that inside link to get his or my manuscripts to those in the industry.  As you can see, he and I both are still trying. 

As I close on this blog I think of only a single thought.  What direction to go and what is the better long term outcome?  I sit here within weeks of a contract and wonder if it is truly the best choice and can I afford it? 

Please, if you have any thoughts or comments let me know.  I look forward to intellectual conversation with my fellow writers.

Good Luck,

KC

>>> I hope that in this arena I offended none through the use of the word “queer”.  It was used in the classical definition; to be strange or weird, alien.