For the past several months, I’ve been working with Robin Martin of Two Songbirds Press on editing my manuscript The Autobiography of a Sea Creature: Coming Home to my Body after Infant Surgery. I’ve been blessed with a partner who helped me every step of the way move this story into a new and exciting format and a more emotionally powerful narrative.
Now I’m in limbo. How to move from a writer head-space into the head-space of one who finds a publisher? Certainly Robin did not leave me without tools. As we sat at the table at the Black Rooster cafe in Folsom, California, she showed me how she hunts down small presses. She makes it a fun game. And it is fascinating to see who the small publishers are out there and what types of books they are publishing. It’s great to see the explosion of creativity and the honoring of important stories–ones that often the traditional agents and publishers ignore. I’ve ordered some of these books –wonderful reads! I hope to become one of these reads.
I am making progress. I’ve targeted four presses and will be in some stage of communication with them in the next few days. And I enjoy the investigation process. It’s just that I’ve gotten used to working with someone–someone who believes in my project, understands its worth, and is rooting for me and my story.
So now I’m looking to put together Team Wendy–well-wishers who also believe in my project, understand its worth, and are rooting for my publishing success. In many ways I already have this team, for so many people have supported me and continue to believe in me and my work and cheer me on. I meet regularly with writers with whom I can check in. I suppose that with this blog post, I’m inviting you to join my team and check in with me from time to time. Send me a comment. In this way, I won’t be so alone in the process; we’ll be in this together. On my website under WORK and then under PROSE, where I used to have an excerpt from Sea Creature, I posted some quotes from the manuscript. Take a look when you have a chance.
In the meantime, I feel full with gratitude for the experience of working with Robin. Her artistic sensibility, editing and communication skills, and publishing world knowledge are invaluable. If you, or anyone you know, needs an editor or are just simply interested, check her out online by clicking on the link above or finding her on LinkedIn. And thanks ahead of time for your interest in The Autobiography of a Sea Creature and my journey toward becoming the author of a published memoir about living in the aftermath of infant surgery.
Congratulations from a long-time Team Wendy supporter and booster! I’m so inspired by your process, dear friend.
I count on you and have been counting on you. You and your writing are deep sources of inspiration for me.
Yay, Wendy! Some lucky publisher will get the honor of doing your book!
Thank you, dear Ginger. Yes, that’s the way to think of it, isn’t it? The publisher will have the opportunity to honor my story. I am looking for this publisher.
I’m on your team! Looking forward to walking with you on the next steps. Write on and believe.
I have always felt and relied on your support, Irene. Thank you for helping me hone my poetry, and therefore my prose, all these many years!
I’m excited for you and for the enlightenment your story brings for the topic of infant surgery and it’s long range effects.Also,am excited about the role that EMDR has played in your healing and glad this wonderful modality will get needed exposure.I cannot wait to hear (soon!)about your chosen publisher! Best of Luck!
Jen
Thank you, Jen! I’m on an exciting journey with regard to finding a publisher and will, of course, let you know when I’ve found a home for Sea Creature. Yes, I’m so happy to have written my story into a form that others will be able to access. Very happy. The book though is not about EMDR, but I will continue to write blog posts about my progress. Hope you are well. How is your healing coming along?
Thanks for asking Wendy.EMDR progress is up and down,as to be expected,I get impatient…:)overall,I think going well,although I am tiring of the protocols involved.It seems that genuine sadness is appearing more now,not sure if this is usual for the journey,but perhaps so..Take good care Wendy!
I’m eager to see this come to pass, and support Wendy all the way. It’s transformative to have a thought grow in so many directions.
Thank you SO MUCH, James. The manuscript has taken many twists and turns over these past twelve or so years and finally, the fruit is ripe on the tree! Tomorrow I make my first submission of Sea Creature in its new incarnation! I am grateful for your support.