Thread: The Prodigal Son Returns

A few years ago, flush with excitement from completing the first draft of my first novel, I joined this forum. It hurts to say that a few people jumped on me and heaped ridicule on this rookie who had the gall to think he was any kind of a writer. The comments were bad enough to drive me away from this forum with my tail tucked between my legs...despite private messages from a few nice folks who tried to smooth things over. I've been gone until today.The criticism was strong enough to make me question if I had even an ember of writing talent. I mostly quit writing, but I couldn't get the story out of my mind. I so badly wanted to share it with people, that I continured to make minor changes. However, my insecurity prevented me from attempting to market my work.Last winter, I said to hell with the critics and gathered the courage to query two agents. They weren't interested. Ditto for the one small publisher I contacted. I was ready to quit after only three rejections, but as a last resort, I queried a respected e-publisher. I was shocked when I receieved a request for three chapters. It was quickly followed by another request for the full manuscript, and two weeks later by a contract offer. Editing is now complete, the cover art has been approved and my book will be published next month. No, I didn't pay any fees. They actually thought enough of the story to invest and take a chance. E-published novels will never be best sellers, but a book I wrote will soon be out there for others to read, and that's all I ever wanted. I'm not complaining about my mistreatment by a few arrogant people. Let the SOBs stew in their self-created acids of bitterness. Instead, I want to encourage all you new writers to have a thick skin when the critics jump on you. If you love what you wrote, keep working to have it published. Don't give up just because your peers felt compelled to put you in your place.Thank you for letting me have my say, and now I leave you again.

You should take a little time to browse the site. I think you'll find that it's changed a lot since it came under new management a year ago. I think you'll also find that those who discouraged new writers have now been driven away themselves by the site restoring its moderation policy.

Congratulations on the publishing deal. I hope you get good sales and if you check out the Kindle figures you'll find that eBooks can indeed become bestsellers. If the book is made available though Amazon then let me know and I'll gladly add it to our book store.

Congratulations Gary! What a wonderful example of never giving up on yourself.

GaryS,Welcome back. I strongly agree with Baron. The place here is much less cynical with nasty-temperament folks gone elsewhere. A lot more supportive and interesting writing discussions go on here these days.Very good to read of your success.