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March 31, 2008
JKR and me shock!
I've had two different book pitches rejected by publishers in the last 10 days.
But they do say that disappointment comes only to create space in us for new things. And I sense this to be true.
And rejection is not always the end. JK Rowling and her fist Harry Potter story was famously rejected by everyone before Bloomsbury reluctantly took her on. And it was reluctantly. The advance they gave her, was the same advance they gave me for my book 'A Beautiful Life'. It was an advance which said most eloquently in numbers: 'We'll do it, and God bless you - but to be honest, we're not that hopeful.'
Of course, much to Bloomsbury's delight, commercially H. Potter went on to conquer the world - and several of the larger planets as well. As for my book, let us say that the financial stories of JKR and myself coincided only most briefly.
Posted by Mr Bojangles at March 31, 2008 02:02 PM
Comments
Well I think your book 'The Beautiful Life' is great, Mr B! It has an enigmatic quality being both comforting and challenging, calming but also uplifting, simple in places yet deeply profound in others (where the * breaks are a must!!). It speaks to everyone - Christian, Moslem, Buddhist, atheist, whatever - allowing them to acknowledge and explore their inner spirit freely, opening up a path of enlightenment if we dare to go there. I treasure my copy - I've already read it 3 times and dip into it frequently - I'm sure I'm not the only one!!!
I am deeply grateful to Bloomsbury for getting 'The Beautiful Life' out there and I hope they stick with you, ignore the balance sheets and bolster their resolve with thoughts of Socrates and Hippias!!
Posted by: Kate at April 11, 2008 05:45 PM