Long Journey

Getting a publisher to recognize an author's work is difficult to say the least. I know my work has been tossed into the slush pile more than once. My first book, Behind the Signs, has been sent to nearly every publisher that is willing to do memoirs, (and there is a lot of them.) The Literary Market Place is a great place to start except my public library doesn't allow the huge book to leave the premises. That ultimately means putting my laptop in the case and taking it to the library. When the book is finally accepted by a publisher, it doesn't stop there; the journey has only just begun. Here comes the copy-editing then all the other editing that the editing team at the publisher thinks will make the book more attractive to the prospective reader. Constant emails with corrections and changes, (thank God for Microsoft Word), then phone calls out the kazoo. Even grocery shopping becomes a hassle when the cell phone vibrates somewhere between the canned green beans and Pillsbury boxed potatoes. Even with voice mail, I believe the phone should be answered. Then it's back to the good old HP to see what changes occurred this time. Do I agree with the changes? Sometimes yes and sometimes I have to submit my own ideas. Even though it's my book, I still have to go along with the publishing professionals. It isn't a walk in the park where you just go home when you are done and watch re-runs of Matlock, it's a long journey where the laptop is where it is supposed to be, on the lap while watching TV and sipping a Diet Coke.

Until next time,
Robert Detroit