Writing Tales, Triumphs, and Tribulations: . . . and one other accomplishment

May 25, 2004

. . . and one other accomplishment

The other big thing I did today was write an e-mail to a publisher for a kids' book I wrote, wow, two-and-a-half years ago now. It was never meant to be a big deal -- just a quick thing I wrote after I put out The Big Bang Theory book, since I already knew the subject matter so well.

And my editor at this publisher is GOOD. She really made the kids book lots better.

But she -- or perhaps the publishers as a whole -- are not apparently the most organized, since I haven't heard from anyone in three months, and haven't gotten the final edits of the draft I sent in a year ago, despite being promised them pretty much every other month.

The whole point of this was NOT to make it a big deal, just to publish a kids book if it worked out. But this lack of momentum is getting a bit ridiculous. Normally this is the kind of thing I ask my agent to deal with -- but she's not a children's book agent, and so she doesn't really have a lot of pull here, as well as she's not going to be a lot of help if we decide to shop it elsewhere. So I don't have a lot of options and have mostly been just sitting around, waiting to see what happens and trying not to worry about it too much. . .

BUT, I really LIKE the book. And I want to see it published. So today I sort of reached my limit and sent the following:

As it is coming up on a year since I sent you my last version of The Universe's Birthday, I have the feeling this project is stalled in the water. Since our contract and commitment to each other has always been a loose one, I am not chafing under this -- but I do like the book very much and would begin shopping it elsewhere if Charlesbridge no longer planned to go forward.
I know you have many other things on your desk, but please let me know where things stand.

I am torn between thinking I was too nice and that I was too abrupt. I mean hey, I get pretty disorganized too sometimes, right?

Posted by karenceliafox at May 25, 2004 01:53 PM

Comments

Excellent note and totally acceptable.

Posted by: Catherine at May 27, 2004 11:20 AM

Um, not that I've gotten a response yet.

Posted by: Karen at May 27, 2004 01:20 PM

I'd say that no response within a week means go ahead and shop around. I mean, it's email.

Posted by: Catherine at May 28, 2004 08:29 AM

I finally heard back from her late yesterday -- she apologized and explained that there were some issues on their end (competing books) and that she'd have an update for me next week. . . Of course, she always says she's going to contact me next week, next month, what have you, so we'll have to see what happens! Anyway, it's nice to have made the decision that I'm WILLING to shop it around, rather than just wait. So that's a bonus.

Posted by: Karen at May 28, 2004 08:55 AM



My newest book will be out in July. Preorder it now -- just click on it, go to Amazon, and help me earn royalties! And you can still buy my last book, The Big Bang Theory. Powered by Movable Type 2.661			« Disorganization \| Main \| The Tiara » May 25, 2004 . . . and one other accomplishment The other big thing I did today was write an e-mail to a publisher for a kids' book I wrote, wow, two-and-a-half years ago now. It was never meant to be a big deal -- just a quick thing I wrote after I put out The Big Bang Theory book, since I already knew the subject matter so well. And my editor at this publisher is GOOD. She really made the kids book lots better. But she -- or perhaps the publishers as a whole -- are not apparently the most organized, since I haven't heard from anyone in three months, and haven't gotten the final edits of the draft I sent in a year ago, despite being promised them pretty much every other month. The whole point of this was NOT to make it a big deal, just to publish a kids book if it worked out. But this lack of momentum is getting a bit ridiculous. Normally this is the kind of thing I ask my agent to deal with -- but she's not a children's book agent, and so she doesn't really have a lot of pull here, as well as she's not going to be a lot of help if we decide to shop it elsewhere. So I don't have a lot of options and have mostly been just sitting around, waiting to see what happens and trying not to worry about it too much. . . BUT, I really LIKE the book. And I want to see it published. So today I sort of reached my limit and sent the following: As it is coming up on a year since I sent you my last version of The Universe's Birthday, I have the feeling this project is stalled in the water. Since our contract and commitment to each other has always been a loose one, I am not chafing under this -- but I do like the book very much and would begin shopping it elsewhere if Charlesbridge no longer planned to go forward. I know you have many other things on your desk, but please let me know where things stand. I am torn between thinking I was too nice and that I was too abrupt. I mean hey, I get pretty disorganized too sometimes, right? Posted by karenceliafox at May 25, 2004 01:53 PM Comments Excellent note and totally acceptable. Posted by: Catherine at May 27, 2004 11:20 AM Um, not that I've gotten a response yet. Posted by: Karen at May 27, 2004 01:20 PM I'd say that no response within a week means go ahead and shop around. I mean, it's email. Posted by: Catherine at May 28, 2004 08:29 AM I finally heard back from her late yesterday -- she apologized and explained that there were some issues on their end (competing books) and that she'd have an update for me next week. . . Of course, she always says she's going to contact me next week, next month, what have you, so we'll have to see what happens! Anyway, it's nice to have made the decision that I'm WILLING to shop it around, rather than just wait. So that's a bonus. Posted by: Karen at May 28, 2004 08:55 AM The story of a girl trying to write some fiction. Recent Entries Einstein's Birthday Talk Good Editors Crazed Life Back in the Saddle E-mail Access! Japan. . . Writing What You Know Rewrites Writing Conflict Kyoto! Categories Book Writing Business of Writing Craft of Writing Day-to-Day Freelancing Magazine Writing When I'm Being Lame Writing Group Archives March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 October 2003 September 2003 Search Search this site: