The Lions Of Lyon (29) + Serenity
... and coming in at number 29 in my lion series! What a beauty! I love this marble effect, with a rich depth to the colour. Click on photo to enlarge.
I've had a few more rejections from New Zealand publishers who had a look at my novel The Olive Tree Manifesto. Don't worry, I have developed a thick skin when it comes to this process now and, strangely, I don't seem to be at all disappointed. Is this serenity a good thing? I must be good in my skin at the moment. Also, there are still some forks in the fire.
The latest rejections didn't contain any negative comments about the story or the writing; it seems to be the same old issue about "the market" and "genre".
The wonderful small publisher Victoria University Press said: "I think to succeed it would need to be appropriately packaged by a publisher with an interest in popular fiction, such as Random House or HarperCollins.
The big publisher Random House NZ said: "Your novel was certainly better than many we receive but unfortunately we felt the market for this genre would be too small."
So, I just have to hope I stumble across someone who feels differently about the possible market for this book. I skimmed through the manuscript again today (after not looking at it for a few months) and, without wanting to sound inflated, I really do believe in it. I hope one day you will get the chance to read it.
Meanwhile, my Dublin novel is seeping through me, becoming the engine for some pretty strange dreams. I feel a burst of progress coming on.
I'd also like to play my part in the search for Madeleine McCann.
9 comments:
I'm pleased you aren't letting it get you down. Good luck - you're right. It will get published.
I like the blue lion!
Hi CB,
Thanks. Yes, we just keep on marching down that road, because it's the only one in front of us ... but making sure we have fun on the way! :) Stay tuned for more gorgeous lions!
This reminds me very much of the cows of Madison, Wisconsin!
Hi Ed,
Why don't you adopt a lion? It will provide strength and pride. :)
Yes, I've seen cows in some places ... Turin did a cows series as well.
Shameless, I swear I left a comment earlier. It was a great comment (hehehehe)
I love the title of your book and I would pick it up if I saw it in a bookstore, based on the title alone. Tell those silly little publishers that!! And if your novel has the same clever, intelligent writing that your snake story did, then what is their problem?
Honestly, I admire you sending your novel out there, getting rejections, letting your novel go, in search of the right publisher. It'll happen, the right fit will come along.
Goodthomas,
Thanks for your feedback on the title of my book ... shame you're not that editor I need to stumble across! :) And yes, quite nice to just put something out there into the big wide world and then leave things to fate.
And what about a lion, Good Thomas? I'm sure you would be a good owner!
You know the stories, Shameless, what was it - 200 rejections? that James Herbert received before going on to become one of the most successful horror writers ever? Just hang on in there!
Thanks for your kind words, Litlove. Yes, rejections now just don't get reactions, which makes it easier to just keep on keeping on. Are you not tempted by a lion, by the way? I'm sure you would provide a good home.
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