Making my own Good News
Monday, February 9, 2009

The fountain is gurgling in the background--the sun is setting out the window--my husband is inside making a savory-smelling pan of lasagna. So many blessings are swirling around me!

And with all these blessings coming to my aid, boosting my mood, I've decided to keep fighting until I sell these children's books that are sitting idle on my computer. I'm going to fiddle, and finagle, and find a way to get these manuscripts into the right people's hands. I'm not going to listen to the economists and buckle to the news that all is dismal, that we need 800 billion dollars added to our wallets to be happy again. I'm going to be a new voice, and work to turn my luck around right now.

Okay, just had to give myself that little pep talk. My computer crashed last week and I lost a tremendous amount of my writing, but a few projects are still viable, and available, and being floated around by my agent. When I was shedding a few tears about losing parts of my beloved Ted Shred, I felt for the first time that maybe becoming a writer was just too silly of an idea. Have you ever felt that way? Like you've been sent down a path, but that the way you're heading is much too weird? Not at all what you imagined?

Being on both sides of the book fence, that of the writer and that of the acquiring editor is a bit bizarre. I'm trying to sell my own books in one market and signing contracts for other's books in a not-too-distant market. Sometimes even in the same market… So, I'm wondering, if you're sending books to me, how do you feel? Are you geared up to keep sending out stories despite the rejections? What are your impressions of this odd time in publishing, when big houses are folding and failing all around us?

I'm personally thankful that I have a job, and that today I got to spend some time editing one upcoming children's book (Ravens of Farne), that I was fortunate to work on marketing another (Pictures of God), and that I got to jot some ideas to an illustrator of yet another picture book (Lucia, Saint of Light). I'm juggling a fair amount of projects and I LOVE it! Call me strange, but I love it as much as I love working on my own stuff.

So that brings me back to my poor lonely manuscripts that need homes. If you know of any thriving publishers who are looking for books from redheaded, ex-gymnast authors whose husbands cook really good lasagna and who keep on fighting despite the bleak, bad news, please point them this way.

Comments (6)
Katherine Hyde says:
February 18, 2009
"Well, I can't say I FEEL very hopeful, but I just sent out another half-dozen queries over the weekend. And this was after I requeried Janet Grant (having heard she was selling outside CBA now) and heard back that she's not taking any new clients because of the economy. So yes, I have days when I wonder why on earth I keep doing this, and then . . . I keep doing it! I will admit, though, that the idea of self-publishing is beginning to sound somewhat less repellent as time goes by."
Donna Farley says:
February 18, 2009
"Look, look! See Jane write! See Jane send her books to publishers. See the publishers say "Yes, Jane, yes!" Go, Jane, go!!!!! :-) I'm going to be busy writing for a bit...then I'll do some more sending out of manuscripts! "
Lisa says:
February 18, 2009
"Hi. Keep your hope high. Why don't you self-publish and look at one of Lulu's packages, because they also include the retail promotion. Sometimes we have to do things for ourselves and create opportunities when others close the doors on us. You will be that thriving publisher, author. When you're looking for illustrations, send me an email :-) I'm on your OC list (Anastas). Think happy thoughts, ignore the rest."
Molly Sabourin says:
February 19, 2009
"Oh Jane, I could read this post a thousand times and respond in a thousand different ways. Your musings and concerns regarding writing and publishing make me feel sane and in great company. :) I often wish I could sit down with other women, other writing moms, and discuss the vast array of emotions, ambitions, thrills and insecurities I work through daily by choosing - no, surrendering - to an overwhelming desire to put my thoughts, revelations and prayers on to paper (or blogs). Although the economy has taken a down turn, it does seem like the playing field has been leveled in many ways due to the internet. My sister-in-law, Paige, has been doing some marketing for “Close to Home” and I've been amazed at how a little creativity, networking (cross promotion) and persistence goes quite a long way. So, yes! Get your manuscripts out there!! I've gotten a lot of inspiration and advice from my friend, Mat. Jenny Schroedel. She knows much about where and how to get published and is a good person to bounce ideas off of. What I struggle with is getting lost in and sidetracked by ALL the potential projects just waiting to be born. I start thinking obsessively, "But what should I do next?" until the joy is replaced by anxiousness and an unhealthy degree of concern over others' opinions of me and my reflections. I do pray daily to find that balance - to let God reveal the next step I should take, staying open to any and all possibilities. I believe with all my heart that this, this writing, this love of words that we share, is a divine gift to be used, invested, and not buried or squandered. I look forward, Jane, to hearing more about your quest to use your own passion for story telling to touch others. Thank you for helping me improve as a writer and for this opportunity to learn a little more about you. Much love, Molly "
jane g meyer says:
February 19, 2009
"Thanks so much for such great comments--what lovely women you all are... From my post I'm sure you can read between the lines that I struggle daily with cheering myself on and being dragged under by the fact that this career, this vocation, this love, doesn't always pay out the way I'd like. I don't mind so much the hard work, and the pacing of the floor for ideas, I don't even mind sending things to umpteen publishers to only get rejections in return. I suppose what I mind most is that I don't always do it gracefully, that I don't say, "Glory to God for all things"--even for the time I've spent working on this story only to have it fizz with the crackling crash of my computer. I mind that inside I whine, that I'm really a very shallow person who tries to act more mature than she really is... So, this probably should have been my real post--as I dig out the deeper stuff, the stuff that paralyzes me and sends me to the pantry for potato chips. "
Claire Brandenburg says:
May 10, 2009
"Profound thoughts on Sunday morning.... You know in the big picture I am a lot happier just going with the flow. You are entering a world of play when you go into a story kindled out of your heart. It is very sad when people are so very money minded that they forget about possibilities and don't want to play...but keep on keeping on. Keep on instigating the play. The more you play the better you get at it. The hardest thing is to get permission from yourself to join the game. God is at the heart of it. On a more personal note: I am so sorry to hear about your struggle Jane. Fire like that can be so frightening...a force of incredible power. I'm sad that you and your family were in front of it! I know and you know that God is at the heart of this game too. Keep up the valiant fight!!!!!!! hugs to you!"
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