Two questions re: US border probs and previously published works. - Writers Forum

nethawk · 10-29-2005, 10:11 AM

Bit of a unique situation here. Hope someone can give their spin on it.

Short version: I'm wanting to find an agent in either Europe or the States for my first work. Trouble is, it's already been self published due to my frustration resulting from being blacklisted from the States back in '99. I'm Native American and usually travel with one way fare back and forth across Canada and the U.S. The agent thought I was emigrating when I was actually just visiting a friend in Long Beach for two weeks - with a side trip to Taos and Santa Fe. I had all my documents. He believed nothing I said. The [censored] was a real cowboy.

So the question is twofold:

1) what chances do I have to find a publisher/agent for my book after it's already been self published? It went through one small print run (under 300) in 2000 and has since been rewritten by at least thirty percent--with an additional chapter thrown in.

2) If I do get accepted by a U.S. agent or publisher, is the border incident small potatoes? Does the publishing world have enough pull in such matters to allow me back into the States--even for short visits?

Thanks for any advice.

CZ · 10-30-2005, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nethawk

1) what chances do I have to find a publisher/agent for my book after it's already been self published? It went through one small print run (under 300) in 2000 and has since been rewritten by at least thirty percent--with an additional chapter thrown in.

My dad self-published a book, then after a few years he revised it and it was picked up by a publisher. I couldn't say anything as to your chances, but 300 is a tiny run and I know my dad sold more of his book before a publisher picked it up, so it definitely seems possible in your situation judging by my dad's.

As to the immigration question... I don't know. I do know this: from talking to friends and a few other knowledgeable folks, I've found out that people travelling on one-way tickets tend to have a higher chance of being flagged as "suspicious" vs. those traveling on round-trip tickets. That could be why the guy was treating you how he did.

Good luck!

mammamaia · 10-30-2005, 10:29 AM

1.
that depends on how you 'self'-published... if you went through publish america, for instance, you won't be able to do anything with your work for 7 years... but, if you paid to have it printed, then there will be no restrictions on what you want to do with it, though that will probably turn off most agents and publishers, unless it's a really hot book they think they can sell easily, despite it having already been out there...

and the various other 'self-publishing' venues [pods, subsidy presses, etc.] all have their own restrictions, so w/o knowing how you got your book into print, no one can really answer your question... some have gotten 'real' publishers, after self-publishing and made a fortune even with terribly written books, like james redfield and his 'celestine prophecy' that he impressed the not-too-discerning oprah with... but many, many more find themselves and their books in limbo, with no one wanting to take a chance on a book that's already been out in the market place and not done all that well...

2.
the one-way ticket thing is a red flag these days... even i've been taken aside and had all my stuff gone over and had to answer lots of questions, because i house and pet-sit all over the world and sometimes find a one-way is cheapest, since i stay several months to a year in each place... and i'm a little old lady who doesn't look like a threat to anyone!

without knowing what your citizenship is, or what you mean by 'blacklisted' i can't really give you any advice on that issue... but i'm sure no publisher is going to intercede on your behalf, unless and until your book ends up on the ny times best-seller list...

where are you now, and why would you want an agent in europe?... if you're going after us publishers, you'll need an agent there, not one in another country... how agents sell what they rep is by establishing relationships with the editors at the various publishing houses, so you really need to have an agent in the country where you want your work published, not where you are, physically...

hope this is some help... with more info, i'll be glad to give you an opinion on the rest...

love and hugs, maia

nethawk · 11-04-2005, 01:12 AM

I self published with a small husband/wife team based out of Vancouver Island in BC. It was specifically said and agreed upon (i.e. signed) that all rights concerning my work remained my own. No worries there.

I live in Canada. Since I'm blacklisted in the U.S., I suspect now that I have a better chance to become published elsewhere outside the U.S. My hopes are with either Canada (good luck, since it seems all we publish nowadays is either about politics, railroads, or hockey--boooorrrrringgg) or better yet, Europe.

I'm banking on Germany actually. The country ranks highest in literacy and seems to enjoy being at the razor's edge when it comes to unusual and unique literature. So I'm currently seeking German/Swiss literary agents/publishers.

I was told by a few people that though some publishers can assist with border red tape, I'd better not count on it. Sounds like it's Europe all the way then. Thanks for the help.

mammamaia · 11-04-2005, 07:35 AM

i still don't get what you mean by 'blacklisted' in the us... do you mean by publishers?... if so, what gives you that idea?... or, do you mean that you think you won't be allowed into the country?

re european publishers, you're not likely to get anywhere, with any but those in the uk, unless you've written your book in the language of the country in question... the germans and swiss don't generally publish books in english... not by unknowns, anyway...

as far as what you've been told, that wouldn't apply unless/until you're a household name... these days, probably not even then, if you're already on a 'do not admit' list...

sounds to me like canada and the uk are your best bets... or australia...

nethawk · 11-04-2005, 09:30 AM

Blacklisted as in "Not Allowed rentry in to the United States of America with danger of being sent to jail" type blacklisted - by the U.S. itself (not publishers (since when do publishers ever "ban" authors). Though the letter said a five year ban, I suspect that since 911 this type of banishment will be perpetual. Or at the very least until I am a little 99 year old man and am still getting frisked by U.S. Customs officials.

Thank you for your advice though. I will take it into consideration.

JustJim · 11-04-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

i still don't get what you mean by 'blacklisted' in the us... do you mean by publishers?... if so, what gives you that idea?... or, do you mean that you think you won't be allowed into the country?

I think what is meant is not being allowed to cross the border. Them comps are pretty sharp these days. I was on a cross border bus trip where we had two drivers (express overnight to Wendover Nevada). One driver had been crossing the border all summer, but something came up on the computer and he was a no go. We sat at the border for over two hours waiting for a new driver. Luckily Vancouver isn't too far from the border.

Try contacting Canada's External Affairs Dept. to see if they can give you some ideas about getting the problem cleared up. Don't expect an answer in a hurry, I once contacted the government and the problem had been cleared up by the time they replied.

If you are in or near Victoria, check to see if the library has a copy of Writer's Market which lists publishers in US and Canada. For Europe and the rest of the world, The International Literary Market Place lists many publishers by country. The problem with Germany is that you'd need to have the book translated, and I suspect should have some German connection in the story.