Okay, that's still kind of a scary thing to say. I have written a book -- in fact, I am about 2/3 of the way through the rough draft of the sequel.
The book is unique, and as far as I know I am the only writer to put something together like this. In essence, it's more similar to a collection of short stories, poems and short-shorts than a novel, but the intent is that the assembly of the pieces create a whole rather like the incomplete pieces of pictures can combine to create something interesting and meaningful in a collage. Most of the book is "fragments" that do not stand on their own, but weave together in interesting ways.
So it's probably best described as an "experimental novel." Easier to read than Joyce, though, I guarantee.
And I suspect that such a thing is like a red flag that says, "not salable." The conceit that holds it together concerns parallel worlds, so it's probably a better fit for the SF/F market than any other.
Gosh, I promise there's a question in here. It just feels like an AA meeting: "Hello, my name is Scott. I write experimental literature."
Those I have had read it (including a couple with minor writing creds of their own) have told me that the experiment "works" -- and at least two have rather gushed. And I am not talking about my Mom here. These are staid people.
So here's the question: Do you have any recommendations on what might be the best way to approach a publisher with something like this so that it would get a fair reading? I think anyone who reads the first few pages is likely to get drawn in; or at least, anyone for whom it "works". I know it won't work for everyone, of course, and I know it'll likely take me some time to get through to the -- what, 1% maybe? -- people who would appreciate what I have created and be willing to stick their neck out for it.
Would it be better to be up-front that I know it's possibly a difficult book to place, or should I drop it in a publisher's lap, more or less, and hope s/he gets it without my help? And/or should I find ways to generate or find a ready-made audience for it so I can say, "hey, I know X demographic will love this, and here's why"?
Or is this the sort of thing that maybe will only ever be self-published until or unless it takes off unexpectedly? Or must I write and succeed with other "normal" books and set this aside until I have some big chops?
Thanks for your blog, by the way. It's a great reminder that publishing folks are human, and not out to get me.
no subject
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I wrote a book.
*whew*
Okay, that's still kind of a scary thing to say. I have written a book -- in fact, I am about 2/3 of the way through the rough draft of the sequel.
The book is unique, and as far as I know I am the only writer to put something together like this. In essence, it's more similar to a collection of short stories, poems and short-shorts than a novel, but the intent is that the assembly of the pieces create a whole rather like the incomplete pieces of pictures can combine to create something interesting and meaningful in a collage. Most of the book is "fragments" that do not stand on their own, but weave together in interesting ways.
So it's probably best described as an "experimental novel." Easier to read than Joyce, though, I guarantee.
And I suspect that such a thing is like a red flag that says, "not salable." The conceit that holds it together concerns parallel worlds, so it's probably a better fit for the SF/F market than any other.
Gosh, I promise there's a question in here. It just feels like an AA meeting: "Hello, my name is Scott. I write experimental literature."
Those I have had read it (including a couple with minor writing creds of their own) have told me that the experiment "works" -- and at least two have rather gushed. And I am not talking about my Mom here. These are staid people.
So here's the question: Do you have any recommendations on what might be the best way to approach a publisher with something like this so that it would get a fair reading? I think anyone who reads the first few pages is likely to get drawn in; or at least, anyone for whom it "works". I know it won't work for everyone, of course, and I know it'll likely take me some time to get through to the -- what, 1% maybe? -- people who would appreciate what I have created and be willing to stick their neck out for it.
Would it be better to be up-front that I know it's possibly a difficult book to place, or should I drop it in a publisher's lap, more or less, and hope s/he gets it without my help? And/or should I find ways to generate or find a ready-made audience for it so I can say, "hey, I know X demographic will love this, and here's why"?
Or is this the sort of thing that maybe will only ever be self-published until or unless it takes off unexpectedly? Or must I write and succeed with other "normal" books and set this aside until I have some big chops?
Thanks for your blog, by the way. It's a great reminder that publishing folks are human, and not out to get me.