Why my book was rejected

[Mizmoon]

You may remember me as the weeping, broken non-fiction author who posted here yesterday ... almost got a book deal with a major publisher, but the project got dumped at the last minute.

I just found out what happened. The marketing people decided that the subject was too small to be of broad enough interest. This despite the fact that they loved the writing, the story, and me.

Once again I have been thwarted by the suits. Damn them! Damn them all to hell!

[RivetJoint]

1. What was the subject?

[Mizmoon]

2. mental illness

specifically, growing up with a schizohprenic relative.

*edited for spelling boo-boo

[wryter2000]

4. Marketing is evil, no doubt about it

Try a smaller publisher. If it does well, a large publisher may buy the rights. Tom Clancy was first bought by Naval Institute Press, but the book was picked up by one of the biggies.

[On the Road]

5. Growing up with a Schizophrenic Relative is Too Narrow?

I find that very hard to believe. If that's the real reason, they're idiots.

Limited topics are much better than broad ones. Plus, the book appeals to multiple groups of people: People interested in schizophrenia can read the book as a experiential rather than an abstract treatment of the disease. People who have taken care of a sick, disabled, or troubled relative of any kind can immediately relate, whether or not the problem was schizophrenia. And so forth.

The only good thing is that having been this close and having a rejection for such a misguided reason puts you in a much better position with another publisher.

[Mizmoon]

6. I suppose they could have made it up

but they don't seem like the kind of people who are concerned about hurting the feelings of aspiring authors. In fact, I think they might get off on it ...

[gollygee]

9. It sounds interesting to me

Wow. What a bummer.

Sorry :(

[HEyHEY]

3. If that was it - keep going

You'll get a publsher - also, what was the subject?

[Skittles]

7. IT'S JUST A SETBACK CHAMILTO

*DO NOT GIVE UP*

[Nay]

8. Console yourself with the fact that they are

dumb assholes. Do they realize how many millions of people live with mentally-ill relatives? How many people who don't live with such relatives but are intellectually interested in the disease itself? Don't worry, you will find another publisher and be able to thumb your nose at these dummies.

[Book Lover]

10. When marketing says that, what they *mean* is

that they couldn't figure out how to fit your subject into their tailored program, and that they wouldn't get up off their sorry behinds and *think* about who else might buy and read your book. Try other publishers, large and small - there is bound to be someone who can sell your book.

[Tom_Foolery]

11. I had a similar thing happen to me with my art work...

I had two publishers ready to market prints of my art work, but they couldn't decide where to start. They quit taking my phone calls, and I never heard from them again.

[Gothic Sponge]

12. That sucks!

Sorry to hear. I'm working on a screenplay myself.