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Nat's Notes:
Adventures in Publishing
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January Nat's Notes
Readers Room.com is excited to announce this new feature which will follow an author through the process of New York publishing, from a book sale to the book release. Many people wonder what happens after a book is sold to a large publisher. Natalie is wondering, too. Read along on the 15th of every month, as she explains the process--or at least gives it her best shot.
By Natalie R. Collins
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes--For two years I worked on a manuscript I called Outer Darkness. It became OD for short, and all my writing friends knew exactly what I was referring to when I used those initials. After two years, the title was ingrained in me. Then I sold said manuscript. Several weeks later my editor called me and told me that they wanted to change the name. This, of course, was no surprise to me. I have been in the business long enough, and had enough friends deal with this very same issue, that I really expected it. In fact, an agent that I very much respect told me that Outer Darkness was not a good title. SisterWife, she told me, was a good title. I always liked Outer Darkness, but I guess I have to agree with the agent who didn't, as my editor's proposed title change for my book was Wives and Sisters.
"You realize I already have a book titled SisterWife?" was my question to my editor. Yes, she knew that, but didn't see it as a problem. So, the manuscript I poured my heart and soul into for two years, the one I knew only as Outer Darkness, was now Wives and Sisters. I tried the title out on a few people. "How does it sound?" I asked. I received varying responses, ranging from "I like it a lot," to "Oh, dear." I learned that quite a few people didn't really like the title Outer Darkness. And many didn't know what it meant. "It sounds kind of supernatural," my agent said, which isn't what the book is about. And so, trusting my editor's savvy and knowledge of the market, I embraced the new title--sort of. I still stumble over it in conversation. And the book SisterWife now needs to be renamed. My agent suggested calling it Outer Darkness. And why not? Outer Darkness is a term that refers to the place former Mormons will find themselves should they no longer embrace the teachings of the LDS Church. Certainly that would apply to polygamists who have abandoned the teachings of mainstream Mormons. The only question is, can I make this change without hopelessly confusing myself and everyone around me?
Next on the change docket: my biography. In the same phone call during which Outer Darkness became Wives and Sisters, my editor told me that this would be called my first book in all promotional and book jacket copy. This was even less of a surprise to me than the title change. Most authors have written two to nine manuscripts (and sometimes more), often publishing them via e/POD methods, before they are ever published with a big New York house. And the big New York house always refers to the manuscript that finally sold as a "first" book. I'm not offended. It is, indeed, a "first" for me. But I wonder how this affects new writers trying to sell a first book. Most of them, at least at first, don't realize that a "first" book really isn't a "first." It can be awfully depressing to hear about all these authors selling their "first" book when no agent will even look at yours. So I say to all the new writers out here: This is not my first manuscript. It's just the "first" one I was able to find a big publisher for. Don't be disheartened. Write more books. It's the best way to improve your writing.
One other change I've noted is the increase in emails I get from people asking for my advice and help. It's as if by selling a book I've been magically transformed into the Dear Abby of the literary world. I can promise you this: I am no different today than I was before I sold a book. In fact, I'm still pretty much in the dark as to what this all entails. I suspect I'll learn more as I go. I suspect, also, that you will learn it along with me, as I chronicle my journey in this column.
Do you have questions or comments about Natalie's adventure in publishing? She'd love to hear from you. Contact her at:
ReadersRoom2@aol.com
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