Commiserations Dee - but I just don't get what people are saying to you about supernatural not selling ... surely it's a perennial genre? I mean, look at Julie Myerson's latest: The Story of You ... that book - which is a bit like Don't Look Now - is borderline supernatural all the way through and then firmly so at the end. (My view is that the reluctance to commit to the genre earlier weakens it a wee bit, but hey ho, I think it's pretty good.)I don't know if it's sold shedloads in its first hardback outing, but it's just been bought as a Channel 4 flick - to be made by the guy who did Truly Madly Deeply (I think ... )

So. As I say - I don't get it.

Awra best

Jim

It's all b****cks, Dee. I'm sorry about the run-around you're having, but it seems par for the course with the business as it is. Whatever you decide - and I do hope you feel able to bring it out next year - you've a buyer in me.

Huge hugs

A
xxx

Hi Jim, thanks for the heads up about that Julie Myerson novel – I love her stuff, and I hadn’t heard about that one.

Maybe hers got through because of her reputation? I don’t know. All I know is that many people in the publishing business are telling me that it doesn’t sell.

I suspect that it’s a case of supply and demand. No one publishes supernatural, so readers stop asking for it, so therefore there is no demand… still, when the fashion changes, I'm in there with a ready-made bomb to lob…

Cheers

Dee

Many thanks, Anne.

I'm still undecided… but hoping to be able to take your money off you before too long…

Dee
x

Dee,

I wish there was something I could say that would make a difference.

From the electronic perception I have of you I’m certain you have the mettle to overcome this. Isn’t it awful that something we love so much, something we invest so much of our time and devotion to, can be twisted to hurt us so?

It’s been said before, and is a cliché, but is so true: Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Wishing you well…

Grinder

Sorry to hear this, Dee. I don't really have anything to add to what others have said. Personally I would have thought there was a readership for supernatural stuff. I think maybe it reflects some weird prejudice on the part of these people? There is certainly a readership for crime. What about crime with a supernatural angle??

I think people say these things until someone comes along and proves the received wisdom wrong. I hope that person will be you.

Roger.

Hi Dee,

I've only just stumbled across this and wanted to reaffirm my faith in you and your writing. Don't let 'em grind you down.

Nik.

Ahh, Dee....bugger 'em, I say. It feels like having all your skin flayed, but almost all of us on this site know that this intense pain of rejection will pass soon. Give it time and it won't hurt at all anymore.
Here's a virtual hug and a bloody humungous glass of wine from me.

Grinder, Roger, Nik and Caroline, many thanks. It helps such a lot to have somewhere like this to share the ups and downs of the writing life.

I'll keep plugging away, as we all do. And all is not lost, as this particular publisher is willing to read anything else I have… just not the spooky stuff. And I've not given up on that either… one of these days its time will come… mwhahahaha…

Dee

Hello Dee,

So sorry. It seems so arbitrary and as you say could all change next week/month/year.

Like Anne I was looking forward to my copy and hope it won't be too long before I get a chance to read.

That's what's so infuriating? You have say ten, twenty however many people on this site alone who would buy - then we'd enjoy and tell our friends and family and everyone knows/says word of mouth sells books?

As a reader it is maddening to know there is something out there you want to read and can't - yet...

Anyway it is at least very encouraging that the publisher is interested in your work and wants to see more.

Keep smiling

Sarah

Many thanks, Sarah. Funnily enough, I was just fantasising last night about what it would take to create a demand for something. Lots of money, I suspect!

Must dash - the day job calls...

Dee

I'm so sorry, Dee. But look at it this way, they told you to try America? Well, everyone knows that what America does today we do tomorrow... so you just wait 5 years and they'll be begging to publish you! :-)