Sunday, September 16, 2012

Metamorphosis in Publishing


In September 1992, Crown published the hardcover of A Cat’s Life: Dulcy’s Story. In December 2001, J. N. Townsend Publishing released the paperback edition.


            I first queried a Crown editor in April 1991. In her reply, she asked me to cut in half the 44,000-word manuscript, remove all cats but Dulcy, and concentrate only on our relationship.
             Two cats—Bartleby and Tybalt—seemed essential, so I didn’t remove them. However, I did delete 22,000 words that didn’t carry the relationship story forward. I pasted the deletions into a file, hoping that one day a second book would be published. That day came in May 2012.
            I had always thought that being published a first time would serve as an entrée to a second book. That didn’t prove true. By 2012, the editor was long gone from Crown, and I was unable to interest an agent in the companion book, which I’d titled Twelve Habits of Highly Successful Cats & Their Humans.
            Fortunately, Wayman Press offered to publish it. This small press has much to offer an author. Its main strength is an energetic publisher who knows how to use the advantages of social media and how to use the publishing arm of Amazon. What this means is that both cover and text can be easily changed in today’s world.
            This past April I worked with the Wayman designer. The month was busy: I spent two weeks considering whether to move back to Minnesota; company visited for a week; and I put my home on the market.
            During that distracting time, the Wayman designer created a cover that seemed quite beautiful to me. On it, Dulcy looked regal. So did the cover. I knew, however, that the title—Twelve Habits of Highly Successful Cats & Their Humans—was a mouthful for a potential buyer to remember, but I was too busy to think of a better one.


            Despite Wayman’s tireless promotion, the book sold poorly between May and mid-September. Then a telephone conversation prompted a change for the book.
            As we chatted last Sunday, Judy King, the artist for the first book, said, “Your title’s not catchy.”  
            “Any ideas for a different one?” I asked.
            “No, but you’ll think of something.”
            I knew I wouldn’t because as an editor at Winston Press in Minneapolis I’d displayed little creativity at titling meetings. Clearly, I needed help. It came from three friends, fellow bloggers, who had read both of Dulcy’s books and had a fondness for her.
            DJan’s two blogs—DJan-ity and Eye on the Edge—are so aptly named that I trusted her instinct on titles. She e-mailed me:

I like the word Habits because it reminds me of your days as a nun.  If you really want to change it, maybe you could dream it up, literally. Ask for it to come to you in a dream, go to bed with that in mind and see what pops out of that amazing brain of yours!

            Inger, like Judy, thought a change would be for the better. She enhances her blog—Desert Canyon Living—with her evocative photographs. Moreover, she treasures Dulcy. Inger e-mailed me the following in response to my request for help:

1.     I woke up with the thought that since the other title works so well, you could follow that formatA Cat's Life: Dulcy's Storywith something to fit the second book. I don't know what, but I thought I would give you this idea to mull over. . . . For the bottom part, I think Dulcy's Legacy would work well, not only because that's what it is. I don't have any good ideas for the top part. I thought A Cat's Advice or A Cat's Habits, but I'm not crazy about either. I do like Dulcy's Legacy though. Of course I'm not attached to it if you or someone else comes up with something you like better.

2.     I never liked the cover. I love her picture of course, but I think that the rest of the cover is not inviting. The black and white is so stark. It's elegant, but for the average buyer it may not be warm and fuzzy, the way people in general like their animal stories. The cover for A Cat's Life on the other hand just screams, “Buy Me!”

Ah, now I’m thinking of both title and cover change. So I contact another blogger friend—Fishducky. Her blog—Fishducky, Finally!—always brings laughter into my life. Moreover, she’s a fine artist. She e-mailed back the following:

I hadn't thought about the title or cover picture before because I was so pleased to read another of your books! Now that I think of it, I agree with Inger & DJan. A warmer & more inviting cover would be a good idea. I like Dulcy's Legacy incorporated in the title. You don't want people to think it's another self-help book.

Once again I was fortunate that Wayman Publishing was the press that published Dulcy’s companion book back in May. The editor there liked the title A Cat’s Legacy: Dulcy’s Story. It showed the book’s relationship to A Cat’s Life: Dulcy’s Story and labeled the twelve habits as her “legacy.” Inger’s suggestion seemed like a true inspiration to me.
The Wayman designer worked on a cover that DJan, Inger, Fran, and I all liked. By this past Wednesday the book was ready for its re-issue on the Wayman site and on Amazon. Here’s the final result of all this collaboration. I hope you like it.


And, of course, I hope that visitors to Amazon who are looking for a new cat book in which the cat speaks for herself will find A Cat’s Legacy: Dulcy’s Story, purchase the paper copy or download the e-book, and enjoy meeting the sweetness and wit of Dulcythe cat with whom I lived for seventeen-and-a-half years.

22 comments:

  1. I love the advice and input everyone gave :) I also think this was a great decision. The new cover looks very inviting and compliments Dulcy's first book as well ;)

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    1. Dear Elisa, yes indeed, the new cover picks up the green in the carpet that's on the cover of Dulcy's first book. What a designer! Peace.

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  2. I agree completely with Elisa--of course, some of your input was mine. I hope the book is selling better now. I love this new blog of yours!

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    1. Dear Fishducky, thank you for all the help you gave Dulcy and me. My big desire always is to get books into the hands of readers so that they can discover her sweetness. Peace.

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  3. It is fascinating to me how the new title came about. Honestly, I've never put much thought into titles, but I see now how important they are in getting the book into the readers' hands. Lovely work!

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    1. Dear Shelly, yes, titles are really important. I so hope that the new title and cover will appeal to readers. When Dulcy died and gave me her first book--which ended up becoming two books--I made a commitment to her: I'd do all I could to get her words to readers.

      And so while earning some extra money helps with the Social Security check I get each month, what I really enjoy is knowing that others are meeting Dulcy. She will always be special to me. Peace.

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  4. I am so happy to have been a part of this endeavor. I hope it will help to sell many copies of Dulcy's wonderful book. Oh, and Dee's book, sorry. I am so enamored of Dulcy, I forget that Dee's stories are a huge part of this book also.

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    1. Dear Inger, you were an essential part of this process. "Legacy" is your word. Thank you again. Don't worry about giving "Dee" credit. She believes that Dulcy inspired her to write! Peace.

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  5. Your books are great. I love your writing, especially when you collaborate with Dulcy.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Dear Janie, thank you for the kind words. Next Sunday I'm going to write about two things I studied that helped me write better. I'm trusting that Dulcy will continue to inspire me as the years pass. Peace.

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  6. I find any creative process interesting -- how ideas from individuals weave themselves together to evolve into what ultimately becomes the final ... in this case, book, title and cover. I gather the difficult part can sometimes be getting the book, once written, not only published, but distributed.

    Cutting your original manuscript in half -- by 22,000 words -- I couldn't help wondering what thoughts went through your head when you were first told to do so? How does anyone know when to acquiesce and when to stand firm on cuts?

    Thanks for sharing this information.

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    1. Dear Joared, yes, both getting published and getting distributed are difficult today. Getting distributed means for me getting word out about the book. Today, a person and a publisher must have a command of social media to do that.

      As to cutting the manuscript--I so wanted to get the book published so that people could meet Dulcy that I was quite willing to delete words and happenings. But I wasn't willing to let go of Bartleby and Tybalt nor of the words on the cover "as given to Dee Ready." The latter was a deal breaker. And the editor acquiesced to that. Peace.

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  7. Thank you so much for giving me this insight into the changing name and title of Twelve Habits... I also really, really love that you have also received support and encouragement here in the blogosphere. It is magical isn't it?
    So a big thank you to you, to DJan, to Fishducky and to Inger. I hope this revised venture is as successful as it deserves to be.

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    1. Dear EC, isn't it wonderful how much support and encouragement we get from fellow bloggers when we ask for help? I so agree that it's "magical." I can remember when you posting about your loved one being in the hospital and the comments were so supportive. People simply are good. Peace.

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  8. This is such valuable information, Dee. I know once I'm done with my non-fiction book about bipolar disorder I'll be facing a whole different publishing world that the one I knew in the '80's. This gives me confidence that I'll be able to navigate this brave, new world. Thanks. And congratulations for getting Dulcy's words out there again.

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  9. Dear Sandy Sue, so glad you found this posting helpful. And even more glad to learn that your are writing a non-fiction book about bipolar disorders. With your blog, you've already taught me so much about it and your book could help so many people--those who have the disorder and those like myself who don't understand its horrific symptoms. Peace.

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  10. Hello Dee, The type of books people want today are very different to twenty years ago. My first book had to be changed many times, but that is necessary if we want to get published. I'm glad you kept what you took out of the first book, its a shame to loose it all.
    I like that word Habit also...its catchy. Thank you for all this information, its so good to read what other authors go through and their feelings about those experiences..Hugs

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    1. Dear Crystal, this writing business is indeed in a state of flux. So many things are different now from how they were in 1992 when Crown published Dulcy's first book. Fortunately, I've met a young writer attuned to the new processes. Meeting her has helped me immensely. Peace.

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  11. I found it interesting to hear how the title changed and why. Bloggers are really the best, aren't they? I do like the new title and cover, Dee. :)

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    1. Dear Rita. I so agree that bloggers are "really the best." I've met so many wonderfully interesting people--like you--through blogging. I feel so lucky to have entered the blogging world.

      I'm glad you like the new title and cover. I do too! Peace.

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  12. I do like this newer cover. It appeals to me. Now here's hoping that it is found and sells.

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    1. Dear Heidrun, I'm glad you like the new cover and find it appealing. I do so hope that the new cover and title will appeal to buyers but that hasn't happened yet. Peace.

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