I Did It!!! And Other Things that Happened This Week Too . . .
Posted by: Denelle
I think most writers dream of being able to write that one book that will launch them into acclaim and place them among the most prestigious authors of all time. After all, who wouldn't want to be ranked with Byron, Keats, Thoreau, Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, the Bronte sisters, Mark Twain or Jane Austen. But weary writers of the world, don't be discouraged even the classics, it seems, are not what they use to be.
Ummm, sure . . . it must be terribly uncomfortable with all that egg on their face.
Well, I did it. I managed to avoid any spoilers for Harry Potter and survive a long evening at Borders last night and get my copy. I've only read the first six chapters so far and I have to work today so I'm not sure how quickly I'll get to finish it but I'll be sure to share my views (without spoiling anything) once I have.
I also realized that in my self imposed media ban I spent so much time avoiding the net that I'd forgotten to post the pictures from Teddy Roosevelt's birthplace that I took when I toured last Saturday. I'll try to get them up for you all to see by Monday morning.
Wanna Write the Novel that Will Change the World?
I think most writers dream of being able to write that one book that will launch them into acclaim and place them among the most prestigious authors of all time. After all, who wouldn't want to be ranked with Byron, Keats, Thoreau, Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, the Bronte sisters, Mark Twain or Jane Austen. But weary writers of the world, don't be discouraged even the classics, it seems, are not what they use to be.David Lassman, an Englishman and would be author, who has had trouble finding a publisher for his work decided to try a little experiment. Said Lassmann,
"I was talking with some friends and we wondered if Jane would find a publisher or agent if she were around today." After making only minor changes, he sent off opening chapters and plot synopses to 18 of the UK's biggest publishers and agents. He was amazed when they all sent the manuscripts back with polite but firm "no-thank-you's" . . .
Shockingly (I mean really shockingly) only one publisher even recognized the works as those of Jane Austen. In fact, in response to the copies Lassman sent of Austen's most famous work, Pride and Prejudice, mega publisher Penguin Books gave this reply:
"Thank you for your recent letter and chapters from your book First Impressions. It seems like a really original and interesting read." A spokeswoman for Penguin pointed out that its letter had said only that it "seemed" original and interesting. "It would not have been read," she insisted.
