I thought I was totally prepared for rejection.
I’ve been sending out query letters to prospective literary agents, fully planning on receiving at least fifty rejections before finding a single agent excited about taking me under their wing or deciding to go another route. I’ve been holding my head high when I receive “thanks, but no thanks” responses from agents. One more down, thirty seven more to go.
About a month ago, a big-time, well respected, New York City literary agency asked for my 124 page proposal. I nearly took flight. Really? They want to see more? Excitedly, I whisked my proposal off to them, but truly, I was expecting a rejection from this agency. I’ll use their feedback to refine and improve my proposal, I told myself.
Instead, when the big time agency replied last week deciding not to take on my book, I instantly turned into a the-glass-is-half-empty type of person rather than my usual the-glass-is-half-full. Why was I sulking around the house? I had just received a free critique by a professional in the industry.
After analyzing my reaction in my sad state for a few hours, I decided it was because she didn’t get it. Maybe I shouldn’t be sharing this with the world, but I want your input. Really, I do.
First, she told me she wasn’t convinced our experience could be turned into a book. She thought it would better make a travel magazine article. And here’s what really stung. It was the second time I’ve been told that. But I’m fine with it. I know the material is there but if it’s not obvious from the 65 pages of my proposal that summarize the chapters, I need to spend some time going deeper.
Secondly, the agent told me she thought the outcome of our dream wouldn’t translate well into a book. This is what really brought me down. I’ve struggled with ending the book all along. It’s true the dream was ripped from us, but the story is not so much about a dream-come-true-gone-bad as it is about the unexpected wild ride we embarked upon once we got to Petit Byahaut. The idyllic aspects of living on a tropical island beach were so much sweeter than we had imagined, but the challenges were equally mind blowing and never ending. And even though the dream didn’t work out, it’s not like we were completely thrown to the road. Ok, maybe we were. But we’ve recovered, we live in a fabulous city, we’re co-owners of a popular restaurant, we’re healthy, we’re happy, we’re pursuing other dreams.
What do you think?
Do you generally stay away from books that don’t end in happily ever after?
Is the title, A Dream Made Truth, misleading? Maybe I need a completely different take from the beginning. Or a subtitle to clear things up.
And if you agree with the agency’s comments, tell me. Don’t worry about hurting my feelings. Really, I’m back to the-glass-is-half-full.
7 comments
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February 25, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Dennis
Nic–Life is about the journey, and when you think about, ends on a less than happy note. Your journey to Petit Byahaut was an exciting, happy, back-breaking, joyous, etc, etc, experience. Your book is about those things, not about the ending. I don’t know about this literary genre–maybe people prefer to think those experiences are ongoing for you–but most adult readers of non-fiction can accept an ending they did not expect. If there is concern about your story’s end, perhaps an epilogue briefly describing your new journey into your present life. Your journey did not end when you left St Vincent–it just stepped off in a different direction. Maybe enough for another book???????????
February 26, 2010 at 6:51 am
jjkimmel
With all due respect, that agent is an idiot. Or maybe just doesn’t know a good thing when she sees it. I haven’t read your book, but I do remember staying up nights with you as you re-told your stories. I was captivated, always wanting to hear more. I’m pretty sure that would translate into staying up late nights reading your book, and not just for me, for anyone who appreciates adventure and the risks you guys took.
I didn’t figure this would be easy for you, that a book deal would just fall in your lap. I also feel like this is something worth fighting for. You can do this Nic, you are a talented writer with a great story to tell. A story no one else has, it’s unique to you and Brian. As much as rejection sucks and is super defeating, you gotta believe in yourself (and in your book) and keep beating down doors. It may sound cheesy, but every no is going to get you closer to a yes. And you really only need ONE yes.
All that being said, your idea about taking another look at the title might be a good thing.
Eat, Pray, Love sold millions of copies…and from what I remember, there were a lot of lose ends she left readers holding. It didn’t end perfectly tied together, it simply told her story and left room for a second book.
I believe in you Nic, we believe in you. Keep your chin up. You can do this… your story deserves a bigger audience.
February 26, 2010 at 12:34 pm
njdurbin
The first advice given to those seeking publication is to NOT show your work to friends and family because their opinions will be completely biased and more than likely, highly approving. So with that in mind,
Dennis: I agree. It’s all about the journey. Happily ever after can last for a while, but doesn’t a roadblock always eventually come up?
jjkimmel: who would have thought coming up with the perfect title would be so difficult, and important? Maybe I’ll hold a contest. One difference (among many) between my book and Eat, Pray Love- the other does end in happily ever after.
March 17, 2010 at 3:11 am
Katie
I linked to you from your post at The Woman’s Colony. I’ve read through a few of your posts, and I love your writing style. Keep trying!
March 17, 2010 at 3:57 pm
njdurbin
Katie, I love The Women’s Colony. Thank you for the compliment. I’m not giving up yet!
January 3, 2011 at 9:58 am
MummyT
God. I got to the stage of meeting publishers (with an agent) about an old book proposal, and was sooo convinced that this was my moment. of course, all these people have more meetings than they do have clients.
What’s clear is that they’ve spotted you have talent. And what’s also clear is that the journey a lot of publishers are looking for is towards a happy ending, a clear ending, an Eat Pray love ending, which, like Jane Austen, ends on a marriage.
Could you refocus it so the upswing is that you found happiness through the shattered dream, so the curve is more of a U than, maybe, the downward line she’s seeing? Just a thought…
January 3, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Nicole
Thanks for your thoughts, MummyT. How discouraging, to get as far as you did! Argh. Yes, I could end it more as life has progressed since we’ve left St Vincent, that’s definitely a more positive way to go. Lately, I’ve been thinking more about self publishing in this new dynamic emerging publishing world. Exciting, but scary, like all of it I suppose. My biggest hurdle these days feels like finding enough time to write, as it’s not my full time gig. I’ll get there though, I’m determined.