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Friday, February 27, 2015

Author musing about Hope

Two years ago I posted a blog entitled Flower Sparks Hope. There was a picture of an orchid which had bloomed repeatedly for the several years I cared for it. This year that same orchid  is blooming from more than one branch and it has many more blooms than ever before, so I borrow from an old cliche, "Hope Springs Eternal" and so does my orchid.
Someone  who viewed it said the way the branches developed makes it look very artistic and I agree, but I can't take credit for that. I am happy just to look at it.
Two years ago, I was hoping that a book I had just finished would be snapped up by the  publisher of my four previous books in print, but that didn't happen. The publisher went to publishing only one genre, mystery, and my romantic suspense novel didn't work for them. I was very disappointed to say the least, but I wasn't about to give up. It sat for a while before  I attempted to submit it elsewhere. I won't name the publisher, but the next one  sat on it for six months before telling me the line I designated was not right for it , but I could try another of their imprints.  No thankyou, I said, and submitted it to a different publisher right away.  You know the game, wait and see, but I made a decision that if it was rejected I would epub it myself.  I am now trying to convince myself to go ahead with that plan.

I dug in my heels, edited and polished and knew that my book was the best it could be. In fact the publisher who rejected it said "this doesn't work for us, but you are a fine writer and I invite you to submit to us again." It gave me hope once more.

 I quote Barbara Tuchman, pulitzer prize winning author of The Guns of August  : "Books are carriers of a civilization. They are companions, teachers, magical bankers of the treasures of the mind. Books are humanity in print." considering that magnanimous quote  also gives  hope, so perhaps you will see SAFE HARBOR in some form soon.

5 comments:

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Mary,

First, let me say I love your orchid plant! I had a white one for several years as well but it finally gave up the ghost. For Mother's Day this past May, my husband purchased a large purple orchid plant as a gift for me. It had beautiful flowers for a time but then went into stagnation. As of now, there are new branches and many buds.

Now about the writing: Five Star rejected The Bad Wife, the fourth Kim Reynolds mystery. Since Five Star had published all three of the previous romantic mysteries in the series, I was very disappointed, especially because I feel this is the best one yet. However, I simply looked for another reputable publisher and found one. It took time but it was worth the effort.
Perfect Crime Books has won a number of awards and the editor is first-rate. So we must never give up because persistence pays off.
Good writing, hard work and persistence does pay off in the end. Never give up! And now there is also self-publishing as a route. I remain old-school in this regard. But I realize the times, they are a changing.

Mary F. Schoenecker Writes said...

Thank you, Jacquie for your encouraging comments. You are such a good writer and a good author friend as well.

Mary F. Schoenecker Writes said...

Thank you, Jacquie for your encouraging comments. You are such a good writer and a good author friend as well.

Susan Oleksiw said...

Gorgeous orchid. We have three in various stages of flowering, and I find them amazing plants to watch and care for. Good luck with your mss. I echo Jacquie's advice--keep sending it out and don't give it up. This is a crazy business, and we have to be persistent.

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