When good news happens I tend to share it and when bad news happens I tend to not allow myself to whine for too long and I’m usually over it before I’d end up posting it here. But I’m going to because I want to remind you just how up and down this business can be. And also how there are so many factors that go into acquiring a book that sometimes it doesn’t matter if you sell every editor in a house on the book, there are still things that can step in the way of a deal.
You might remember a few weeks ago when Really Large House had to pass on a book they wanted because they also do the licensed books for a popular movie that vaguely had a similar subject as my book. Okay, we got over that quickly and immediately (as in that same day) sent out the book to other houses. Late that same afternoon, we’d received phone calls from 3 different (wonderful all three) houses stating they had interest. Within a couple of days, one of the houses was checking with a primo illustrator to see if he would do the illustration. Well, that took some time so we had to put the other houses on hold for the time being. What else could we do but wait on an answer from Incredible Artist. The general impression was that even if he said no, that same house had a second and third choice so we expected an eventual contract.
Cut to yesterday. In the end, Incredible Artist said he loves the book, loves the writing but can’t see himself illustrating it. Which is fine. There are lots of things I can’t see myself writing about. So I understand completely. But the downside was, since we have (or had) so much interest in the book, this Lovely, Amazing Imprint and Editor said that they didn’t feel good going with their second or third choices. Which is fine because we would have wanted them to put the contract in place this time before giving them time to check with the second or third choices.
So now we go back to the other houses, equally Lovely and Amazing houses and editors, and see if they’re still interested. They might have cooled since we made them wait. I don’t really see any other way we could have handled it because of who the first house was offering as illustrator. We had to wait for his answer. And so, though I *think* the door is still open — slightly — you just never know in this business. I think this book will sell eventually. I just hope it’s before I grow cynical about the process. 🙂
Kristy Dempsey 
Not sure how to respond to the upsy downsy news, except to send hugs and patience.
And that’s exactly what I need. 🙂 Thanks.
It’s a long and bumpy ride….but hang in there. You’re so close!
So close I can smell it. But I can’t tell just what it is I’m smelling yet. 🙂
OH, my!!!!
It is so HUGE that you’ve gotten so much interest.
Good luck times 300!
tam
Oh my is RIGHT! And that’s about all I can say.
Hugs and good luck on the next round.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing, Kristy. I really do believe that with that kind of interest, this manuscript will be bought and soon. Hang in there. I so admire your grace under pressure.
Ugh. Well, pressure definitely. Grace? I don’t know. I do firmly believe that wherever, whenever it happens, it will be the right thing, the right place at the right time. But for now all can do is wait.
Oh, I’m hoping good things for you, Pam…this is *such* an up and down business, it’s almost too much for me, sigh. But I’d love to hear some good news (for anyone);)
Some good news would be nice, wouldn’t it? Come one, LJ land. . . Anyone out there have good news?
Snort — okay, I really do know who you are, Kristy…my brain’s fried, and now I’m snorting liquid through my nose, because for some reason, the fact that I can’t keep track of what I’m doing for longer than five seconds…snortle, hmph. 😀
It’s okay. I barely noticed. 😉 Somedays it’s hard for me to remember who *I* am.
Wow. I will keep my fingers crossed that the right editor snaps it up! QUICK!
Thanks! I’ll keep LJland posted!
Argghh. Hugs.
I’m hoping the third times the charm. But there’s a part of me that says “you know better than to hope at all.” That’s so wrong, isn’t it?!!
YES it will sell! YES this will all come true for you! HUGS!!!
Okay, you’re the official hoper. I’m just going to pretend all this is happening to someone else. 🙂
There ya go! Only GOOD things can happen to YOU! 😀
Wow, thanks for sharing this–saga. Sounds like you are handling it really well. Too many good things happening for it not to end well. Hope the good news comes really, really soon.
Thank you! Some moments I feel like I’m handling it well and then some moments I can’t really discern the difference between cynicism and realism. But regardless, today is a new day! And I should be writing . . .
YAY! Oh. YAY! Oh. YAY! Oh.
Gosh, this has been a bumpy ride. *raises tea glass* Here’s to smooth sailing and wonderful news SOON, Kristy.
Thanks! And here’s some good news: I just wrote 450 words on my WIP. Okay, now back to it . . .
Awww, you sweet girl. Just what I needed. Careful though. I’ll try not to breathe on you. I’ve just started with a fever and a rumbly belly and a bad headache.
The waiting IS hard, isn’t it. And the dashing of hopes is hard too, but you still have a lot of good momentum going including a book that sounds too fabulous to be just sitting ther for too much longer. I can’t wait to read the GOOD news post very soon.
We’ve had more ups even today. I’m just hoping the downs aren’t around the corner. I hope you get to read a GOOD news post very soon too. 🙂 (Not to mention post one yourself!)
Wow, that’s a *LOT* of interest, KD! Kudos on the patience and grace–this biz is so hard sometimes. My fingers are crossed for you!
Hope you’re feeling better soon. 🙂
I do feel better. My tummy settled and I took meds for my headache and a short nap. I’m still a little weak-kneed and achy but this too shall pass. Thanks!
You never know in this business. The things you have every reason to expect to happen don’t, and then completely unexpected things come up. Right? RIGHT?
Mwwwwah and hugs.
You are so right. As always. 😉 Thanks.