I’ve been lazy with my webpage…well, not really lazy, but
downright depressed.
Elizabeth Colins, CEO of Gardenia Press passed away three weeks
ago. Her death has thrown into doubt the publishing company and
my book.
So here I was thinking that this was my ticket in, and then fate
throws a wrench into the gears. At first, I was completely
distraught. You see, my contract has an ’18’ month clause, that
basically, if the work isn’t published in that time, the author gets
all rights back. That clause is to protect me. But it means that
they can very easily shut their doors, wait 18 months, and allow all
contracts to end.
So then I thought — what about just buying Gardenia Press?
Hmmm, interesting thought. Why not? Then I thought,
no, I don’t want to get in the publishing business, so then I was
depressed again. Then I thought that maybe this is a good
thing. Maybe this is for the best. You see, my book has now
been rigorously edited and is much better now than before.
Is it ready for a bigger publisher? Maybe.
So now I received word from Gardenia that we’ll be given options
tonight. I’ve heard word that someone bought Gardenia and if we
want, we can transfer our novels to them. But now I’m thinking
that maybe I don’t want to do that.
Hold on, hold on, I’m not completely crazy. This is like being up
about a $1000 in Vegas, with a chance to go for $100,000. Would
you do it? Maybe a better analogy would be that you’re up
$50,000 in Vegas, with a chance for $500,000.
The stakes are high. What if I never get published again? But
what if I get picked up by a bigger publisher? I’m come so close,
with a dreadfully edited book. Now what if I send in a book that is
polished and ready for print.
Like I said: ‘hmmm’.
I have read a many of your unpublished works and know in my heart of hearts that you will be a successful publisehed author no matter what path you choose. If it was me I think I would get the novel edited and resubmit it to other publishing houses. You have gained lots of very valuable knowledge that will help you with your queries and I know your book will be picked up, soon.
Kari
Maybe I’m conservative, but you’re up $50,000. I say take the money and run. There’s only a 5% chance to get the whole $500,000, and as you know from your Dungeon and Dragon days that rolling a 05 on 2 rolls of a 10 sided die is very unlikely. On the other hand, if you think you can weight the dice by drilling holes in them, or cheating by placing 2 dice in a 0 and 5 position and under your hands and making a die rolling sound with your mouth, then go for it. Serously though, if you still have a chance with them I would move forward. You will have other books in the future that you could take to other publishers. Just my opinion.
Great page! I’m going on with GP. My book is so close to being “released!” I feel as if I’m on the verge of the $500,000. Vegas win. So are you!
This is a tough one my friend.
First off it sounds as though Gardenia is finished, sure they’re going to clean up house, but after that, it’s bye bye Ms. American Pie. So that’s unfortunate.
What you have in your hands right now is a polished package pretty much ready for print (that’s some sort of alliteration), which a publisher already thinks is good enough to go.
Maybe you should take another stab at it. There are plenty of small presses in Canada (ECW Press in particular is always printing new stuff) if you get desperate, but maybe the big boys are where you need to focus right now.
I mean hell, you’re in Vegas, you’re already up, but nobody wants to hear the story of the guy coming back from Vegas up $50.00, they want to hear the guy who’s up $5,000.00!
You know how they say every cloud has a silver lining? Well that sounds like it would totally sum up this whole experience for you.
The good news is that you learned a ton out of the experience. I’ve always said that I learn more from things that don’t go my way than things that are easy.