Indeed, those ARE excellent books. Jeanine is a friend and former professor of Tom's, Donna, so if you need us to put a good word for you, we can.

Well, that would be totally wonderful! Just goes to show, another case of not always what you know, but who you know! Networking! :cool:

I've not heard back from her yet since she is on sabatical. Her assistant emailed me that she would pick up her email sometime mid-November.

I've put her name in the possible author cover blurbs section of the proposal.

Many thanks!

Oh, I think that the what-you-know has to go hand in hand with the who-you-know in order for things to get off the ground sometimes, so you're off to an excellent start with your extensive Valentino knowledge and your random LoT friends. ;) I just talked to Tom about it-- he'd be happy to give her a buzz (and put a buzz in her ear...)

Great news! Thank you!

Okay, after 2 months, I've had an email back from my agent about the proposal. I realize I am a total neophyte at this soiree, but should I be worried I have the wrong dance partner?

Hmmm, I think that is the obvious choice to appeal to, right? Emily Leider's book (see below) sold over 10,000 copies, no not The Da Vinci Code, but I don't think at all an insignificant number.

It's not a biography! Photo Essay/Photo-bio, but why would there be a market or need for a book published and still in print in 2003. This is eye candy. There was a need for a new coffee table book on Paul Newman and Garbo and Louise Brooks, why would Valentino be so obscure as to need to have the book pop out of it's genre?

So, does she mean give up because most people don't know who he was or do I market this because he is a "gay icon"? :confused: Pictures tell the story, it's through the photos people will see what Valentino was like.

Now I'm really :confused: Brad Pitt?

Again, for what it is, I don't think 10,000 copies is anything to sneeze at.

We're supposed to talk this week about her thoughts, but I thought the proposal was pretty clear. I certainly harbor no illusions that this would sell 100,000 copies. I think anything close to 1,500 copies would be respectable.

Today, I guess you can color me a little disspointed. Am I being obtuse, how could she not get it? Everyone I sent it to, including other writers (and Emily Leider) felt it was strong and clear with regard to what I'm proposing. Emily (who has been around the block) said it was strong, clear and well written, very persuasive.

Is there a possibility that because your proposal is so good your agent sees an opportunity to push this beyond a niche market? There's a lot of Hollywood glamour nostalgia right now, it seems. Maybe her vision is that with a few tweaks it might move into that 100K copy realm.

If that's the case, it doesn't mean you have to go with that, just that you and she might be approaching this with different expectations.

Well, you know, I was thinking to myself... "Self", I said, "What a Rudolph Valentino book really needs is a picture of Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt, just to round it off, of course. It wouldn't be complete otherwise.

Silly Snowflake, how could you have missed this vital fact ?

:rolleyes:

Well, I just got off the phone. The agent is very excited and it lookign forward to the challenge of presenting this. It won't be easy, but she says it is worthwhile. She is, however, by no means letting me off the hook for an updated proposal. But, in talking I now see what she was trying to do for a hook for clueless editors. It is for me to bring up in my introduction how Valentino's influence is still felt today and to cite examples. This I can do.

So, now what I have to do is my introduction, and two sample chapters. But the big news is, she is going to bat for me.

Lashbear, I'd put a photo of you in the book if I could figure out how to work it in!

Oh come now, we can't have a straight line like that just hanging out there. Someone around here has to plug that gap with a pithy comment...

Just awesome!!! :snap: :D