It takes some daring and some constitutional strength to attempt a serious novel and to survive the marathon-like terrors of completing it. But any novel that an author brings into existence deserves its existence, in my view. If only because the warnings of friends and colleagues not to attempt it have all been ignored. But once a novel has been completed, the real terrors begin--questionable, suspiciously disappointed criticism from people once assumed to be allies, rejection from single-minded literary agents, rejection from over-busy and harried book publishers, and, worst of all, the potential loss of faith in oneself. And then, should the unbelievable occur, and the novel actually find a home with a major trade publisher, or an academic press, or even a small independent press, the response will range from gloriously appreciative to mendaciously jealous to inscrutably misinformed. Some readers will understand precisely what you meant in every sentence of the story. Others will be lost. Still others will find an entirely alien novel hiding deep within the one you have written. And of course, many readers, even some critics, will simply resist the idea of fiction itself and decide they have struck upon the evidence of a real and actual life lived by the author who hides behind the fictional pastiche of his work. Indeed, it sometimes seems that the better your novel is at seeing into a reader's secrets and deeply harbored fears, the more he will protest and declare that this, in fact, must be the author's secret life. Managing all of this, and more, is required of anyone who attempts in good faith to craft a pleasing work of fiction and to share it with the world. The reward? An author knows, ultimately, whether his novel has substance and value. Nothing can shake the certainty of that. Looking forward to hearing and learning more about your own "pretty much finished" novel.
Thanks for the encouragement. My "pretty much finished" project tells the story of two brothers dropped for a short stay in an orphanage in the middle of America in 1927 while their father sorts out his life. Three years later the elder runs away, leaving the younger in the orphanage. The brothers meet again for the first time more than thirty years later, fight, and never see each other again. Thirty years further on, the son of the younger brother receives a letter and a notebook, offering further revelations about the family history. If he'll come half-way across America ...
It's called The Fleetwood Half-Orphan Asylum, and the search for a route to publication is in motion. Interested?
It sounds like an intriguing plot woven from several related stories, with plenty of room for emotional and spiritual drama and perhaps some secrets and revelations too. In short, it sounds like a classic. I would not dismiss any portion of the vast publishing world in my search for a publisher. There are many university press options out there, as well as quality, independent presses, many of which would do at least as good a job with your book as some "big time" trade publishers would. But do try them all. FYI---Poets & Writers Magazine maintains very helpful, frequently updated, online lists of publishers large and small, commercial and independent, who are on the lookout for quality fiction.
It takes some daring and some constitutional strength to attempt a serious novel and to survive the marathon-like terrors of completing it. But any novel that an author brings into existence deserves its existence, in my view. If only because the warnings of friends and colleagues not to attempt it have all been ignored. But once a novel has been completed, the real terrors begin--questionable, suspiciously disappointed criticism from people once assumed to be allies, rejection from single-minded literary agents, rejection from over-busy and harried book publishers, and, worst of all, the potential loss of faith in oneself. And then, should the unbelievable occur, and the novel actually find a home with a major trade publisher, or an academic press, or even a small independent press, the response will range from gloriously appreciative to mendaciously jealous to inscrutably misinformed. Some readers will understand precisely what you meant in every sentence of the story. Others will be lost. Still others will find an entirely alien novel hiding deep within the one you have written. And of course, many readers, even some critics, will simply resist the idea of fiction itself and decide they have struck upon the evidence of a real and actual life lived by the author who hides behind the fictional pastiche of his work. Indeed, it sometimes seems that the better your novel is at seeing into a reader's secrets and deeply harbored fears, the more he will protest and declare that this, in fact, must be the author's secret life. Managing all of this, and more, is required of anyone who attempts in good faith to craft a pleasing work of fiction and to share it with the world. The reward? An author knows, ultimately, whether his novel has substance and value. Nothing can shake the certainty of that. Looking forward to hearing and learning more about your own "pretty much finished" novel.
Bob,
Thanks for the encouragement. My "pretty much finished" project tells the story of two brothers dropped for a short stay in an orphanage in the middle of America in 1927 while their father sorts out his life. Three years later the elder runs away, leaving the younger in the orphanage. The brothers meet again for the first time more than thirty years later, fight, and never see each other again. Thirty years further on, the son of the younger brother receives a letter and a notebook, offering further revelations about the family history. If he'll come half-way across America ...
It's called The Fleetwood Half-Orphan Asylum, and the search for a route to publication is in motion. Interested?
Donald,
It sounds like an intriguing plot woven from several related stories, with plenty of room for emotional and spiritual drama and perhaps some secrets and revelations too. In short, it sounds like a classic. I would not dismiss any portion of the vast publishing world in my search for a publisher. There are many university press options out there, as well as quality, independent presses, many of which would do at least as good a job with your book as some "big time" trade publishers would. But do try them all. FYI---Poets & Writers Magazine maintains very helpful, frequently updated, online lists of publishers large and small, commercial and independent, who are on the lookout for quality fiction.