Does the image to your right look familiar? That's my baby. If you grabbed yourself a copy, I would like to thank you. As a writer, my primary goal is to share my stories with the world and hopefully bring joy and fascination to my readers.
Secondly, if you did get a copy of Wallflower, you are one of the few to own a real, live limited edition novel. You see, after only one year in business, my publisher has closed its doors, returning me and my book to the mean streets of the literary homeless.
I am no longer a represented author. I am no longer published.
I can hear you now: "But Jennifer, why can't you just self-publish Wallflower?" I would, my friends, but you must understand, self-publishing is an expensive venture. One must be somewhat independently wealthy to do so. I could just slap it up on Amazon and sell only e-copies, but I feel I would be cheating my readers out of the possibility of owning a paperback. Aside from that, I wouldn't be able to buy copies of my own book to sell at public appearances and book signings. After all, you must have an actual, physical book in order for me to sign it.
No, I'm going to jump back into the fray to look for a literary agent to represent my stories. I've already begun the slow and arduous journey of slogging through the slush piles as I claw my way to the surface for some air.
This blog is about the evolution of Wallflower. Unfortunately, I feel this particular work has moved as far up the evolutionary ladder as it can possibly go. As a result, I've decided this will be the last entry for this blog. It's time to retire it and I'm very sad.
No, I'm not giving up, mind you. I have plenty of finished stories and novels just waiting to test their wings, but they can't leave the nest without a nest to leave from. Perhaps I will start a blog about that.
To those of you who have been following my work, thank you. I hope to find myself in your good graces again as quickly as possible. As the saying goes: When one door closes, another one opens somewhere. I'm off to find that open door.
This is Jennifer B. Fields signing off.
Write On!
I am so PROUD of you and your novel Wallflower. I am honored to have a copy to ready when I want, and I am so excited to see what comes out of your creative mind. I have so much faith in you my friend.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love, a great big fan,
Alisha Ojeda
Thank you, Alisha. You've always been my cheering section. Keep cheering. I could use all the encouragement I can get. You'll be the first to know when I get that book deal. :-)
DeleteAs an unpublished author, let me encourage you to keep up the good fight. I've sent out over 200 queries to agents - only receiving a handful of requests for chapters and one for a full manuscript (only to be rejected again). Although it may seem like the end of the road for you ... keep in mind that for those like me, you are a wonderful inspiration that it CAN, indeed, happen.
ReplyDeletePlease don't let this situation be felt like any reflection of you. Traditional publishers are fighting tooth and nail to stay alive right now. It's a very hard business. The nature of the publishing industry has nothing to do with your wonderful talent and your tenaciousness to fight through the constant rejection to bring a baby to fruition.
You've been inspiring to me and I know to others, as well. Keep plugging away and don't let this situation define you. You are amazing.
Tavisha, I can't tell you what your post meant to me. It's both sad and encouraging to hear that someone has faith in me.
ReplyDeleteI have a small cheering section of select Facebook friends who never fail to keep me in good spirits with the ups and downs of writing. To be perfectly honest, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you and the rest of my cheerleaders. Thank you so much. I won't give up.
Jennifer