I'm excited and must share

[CoasterMatt]

I've had more than a few occasions where that slide down the "hillside of doubt" was just a setup for an awesome jump
If you do end up self-publishing, please put me down for a few copies, I've been getting more and more interested in Valentino recently.

[Prudence]

I'd consider it a good sign - if monsieur snake is sniffing around the same subject matter, it must be a good subject! Maybe the other publishers turned him down because they've worked with him before and know he's a jerk.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I'm about to spew self-help book at you. So apologies in advance.

When we make breakthroughs and have good days, our "censor," the little voice in your head that belittles yourself, rears its ugly head. It's hard to learn to recognize it (I battle it every damn day) but it's really just trying to undermine the good, good work you're doing.

We all believe in you-- your agent does, too. And sooner or later, the publishers will get a clue. You just can't talk yourself out of it!

[Strangler Lewis]

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

I heard that in Akeelah and the Bee and thought it was cool. Turns out it's a Marianne Williamson quote, but, what the hell, I like it.

Why the prickly, closed off Laurence Fishburne character was reading self-help books was not explained.

[blueerica]

Im 100% in agreeance with LSPE on this one! Don't let the "censor" talk you out of it... You've got an idea, the knowledge and the passion - don't let the inner naysayer stop you!! Though many of us aren't nearby to support you in person, I feel confident in saying you have everyone at LoT behind you on this one.

You can do it!!

And StranglerLewis - interesting you should post that quote. I was talking about it the other day while driving home, and couldn't remember who the quote was from. It's often inaccurately attributed to Nelson Mandela. Thanks!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I always liked this quote by Mark Twain:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

[Snowflake]

LSPE, feel free to spew all the self help you want, much needed and appreciated!

Pru, thanks, you're right, but in many cases it's all who you know (and what network you belong to)

Strangler, what a great quotation. If it were not so long, I'd tack it on my monitor, nonetheless, I've saved it.

Blueerica, thanks for the support! Means a LoT to me!

DPR, a great quote and one that will fit on the monitor!

LoT and the LoTizens who visit are really a wonderful bunch of peeps, but you all know that.

My agent wrote back

I have to throw this all back on you...if you can make the book interesting to people who are not die-hard R.V. fans you have a chance.

Self publishing is another way to go..you'd sell a lot on ebay most likely.

I don't know this other guy's work but he certainly has an In...reg publishers will not go for an RV book..because the audience, they feel, it small and dwindling....it has to be something very very special...

that's what I'm hoping you will produce.

So the ball's in your court...it has to be a work of love on your part...with the safety net of self publishing...which I can help you with if it comes to that.

[katiesue]

Congratulations Snowflake. Keep with it and I'm sure in the end you'll be happy you did.

[Prudence]

Sounds like your agent believes in you. And we do, too, so keep at it!

[Snowflake]

Well, this week has been a roller-coaster for me. But, not all was icky, I got the final newsletter out (and that was a monkey on my back the size of king kong). And, as I have been researching and reading, the lightbulb went off over my head, I do not need to re-invent the wheel, here. I discussed this with my agent and I also have a secondary meeting with an author she published about options.

That said, after a long hard look at what is really needed here, the first thing is not getting out my chisel and re-invent the wheel. There are 2 other biographical works on Valentino currently being pitched (one has a contract and will be out in 2009, the second is and has been in pitch hell for the last several years, dammit, I want to read that one, too). Again no need for me to reinvent the wheel.

Soooooooo, I am going to self publish this behemoth with photos and essays for each chapter. Let's face it, everyone I've spoken to, and all the people writing to my website, all they want is the photos. This I can do and do easily and basically, this is what I wanted in the first place.

I had checked with Xlibris last year and thought, okat $2500 investment, I can do this and get a decent book out. Well, I just went to check and that is now a $6000 deal. Not to mention that even if I went with them, the price for the book retail would be almost $100, I'd never sell any! I have no expectations of making any money off this, but going deeper into hock than I already am is not an option, so scotch that one.

Mousepod turned me onto blurb.com as an option. (Thanks Jesse!) It's not ideal in that I can't market the book through amazon.com, but I have 100% control over what goes in it, including layout (they have very cool software to work with) and minimal upfront for me to come up with, in fact, nothing for them, just me to file my own copyright (duh, that I can do) and purchase a couple of ISBN numbers (1 HB and 1 PB). The price point for the book options is fairly reasonable and I can get this out in a nice looking edition for something that won't break anyone's bank account.

So, this is where we are on it. With some dillegent effort on my part, and no more major drama for a few months, I can get this in the can for proofing in a few months time.

Oh, and the Academy sent me a nice letter, but I don't have the creds for the grant.