Many years ago I wrote a fictional story which paralleled my life. Those who read it really enjoyed it and encouraged me to publish it. One person in particular stands out in my mind as it was her deathbed wish. I submitted my manuscript to editors and sought to get it to a publisher. I soon found out that I had to have an agent to get it to a publisher, and worse, I had to be “somebody” to get an agent!! Well, since I’m a “nobody” it was suggested that I self-publish my book like so many authors do to get their start. I checked into it but was dismayed by the amount of the investment required and the amount of money most self-publishers lose in their investment- - - all to get their book published. Well, I have a big ego but it isn’t so big that I have to have something in print, especially if it costs an arm and a leg. The average sales of self-published authors are 100 books. Most of those are to relatives and close friends!! Worse for me is that I’d just give it to them!! Similarly, to seal my publishing ideas closed, I wasn’t real keen on the idea of having to go out and peddle books like self-publishers have to do. I simply wanted to submit my book to a publisher, readers find it very helpful, and I sell a million copies!! Is that asking too much?!!
Many of you have suggested that I publish my blog posts. I appreciate the inherent compliment and confidence. Oddly enough this past week I’ve gotten email offers from self-publishing companies who are offering significant discounts. The discounts are enough to pique my interest. After considering them, I also researched traditional publishers. I found a good one who advertised that they were accepting manuscripts. They required an introductory email and a submission of at least four chapters of the manuscript for their consideration. If I understood them correctly, they do a cursory read and then either reject it or pass it along for further review. Well, there’s one big problem; I have a series of blogs, not a manuscript with chapters!! I decided to make a submission anyway. Here’s what I wrote in my introductory email. “Over the past year I have chronicled my journey with leukemia. I've shared my feelings, insights, ponderings, fears, and life-lessons which emerged through facing this challenge. Each day, for a year, the reader journeys with me through the laughter, tears, and inspirational lessons of living life with leukemia, while gaining helpful perspectives for their own challenges.
This is not a typical manuscript. Originally written as blog posts, it is a cross between a personal diary and an inspirational devotional. While readers venture into my life, they are also stimulated to peer into their own lives and relationships.”
I submitted the email with my blogs attached on Tuesday. I titled the blog document: “Mornings with Michael.” On Wednesday I got an email back from them. It says, “Thank you for your submission ‘Mornings With Michael’. You have sent all that we require at this time. You should expect to hear from one of our acquisitions editors within the next two weeks regarding the status of your manuscript.”
It seems like I cleared the first and easiest hurdle. This is where it gets tough though. Although the chances are very high that it will be rejected (as many great works are!!!), it’s fun being in the game for the time being. I’ll keep you “posted.”
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