NationStates Jolt Archive

For those of you that don't know I wrote a book, about children, and parents, and discipline, and just about everything else you need to know if you want to raise kids like mine.

I got a draft back (of my book) from my publishing co. that had been edited today. I feel like they have lost the essence even of what I wanted to say, I talked to them for about an hour on the phone today. Basically what I get is that people aren't going to buy my book if I don't water it down, and change focus, because people don't want to hear what I have to say. :( I really could care less about selling books, if it means that I have to change the scope of my book, water it down, pull it back, make it pretty.

I got the feeling that I was being talked down to today. My editor says "just come out with a soft book first, and then we can gradually get more harsh with others as the climate permits"

I don't really see my book as "harsh" more than it's just really different. I do draw very noticable lines between what is okay and what is not okay using my method, but I believe that's important to the spirit of the method, since it's all about boundries, and clear and percievable lines between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

I think I will just walk. It's an option in my contract that I can just leave with my work, and forget about this company, but I have to do it soon, like before the deadline of this draft going back to them.

What do you guys think?

if the edited version really doesnt represent your vision, you should walk away.

you might want to show both versions to someone whose opinion you respect to see if you are over reacting to the changes.

in the end, if its not YOU, why bother?

If it is about your experience/expertise then them editing that contradicts your message.
I say forget them

On that note...
*Sleeps*

Definitely walk fast... really fast. RUN.
Do not let any failed writer tell you what's good for you.
Fight for what you believe. There will be other opportunities.
What about self-publish the first chapter in the interwebs?
We have never talked to each other before... but I have been lurking over here for some time and I think in general your ideas about everything are correct.
Cheers!

I agree. Walk away and look for other publisher. With self-publishing and mail order today a publishing house is not that necessary anyway (of course, it'd be nice to have their financial backing to absorb the initial costs, but...)

If the publishers chicken out, there's always lulu.com.

yeh, take it somewhere where they'll let you publish what you want. but also do what ashmoria said cuz it sucks having your hard work altered by someone else and it's hard to see then that some of the alterations might be beneficial.

For those of you that don't know I wrote a book, about children, and parents, and discipline, and just about everything else you need to know if you want to raise kids like mine.

I got a draft back (of my book) from my publishing co. that had been edited today. I feel like they have lost the essence even of what I wanted to say, I talked to them for about an hour on the phone today. Basically what I get is that people aren't going to buy my book if I don't water it down, and change focus, because people don't want to hear what I have to say. :( I really could care less about selling books, if it means that I have to change the scope of my book, water it down, pull it back, make it pretty.

I got the feeling that I was being talked down to today. My editor says "just come out with a soft book first, and then we can gradually get more harsh with others as the climate permits"

I don't really see my book as "harsh" more than it's just really different. I do draw very noticable lines between what is okay and what is not okay using my method, but I believe that's important to the spirit of the method, since it's all about boundries, and clear and percievable lines between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

I think I will just walk. It's an option in my contract that I can just leave with my work, and forget about this company, but I have to do it soon, like before the deadline of this draft going back to them.

What do you guys think?

I think you should definitely avoid "watering down" your book. There are so many wishy-washy books out there, and the world simply does not need another.

Furthermore, anybody who thinks they will sell more books by being LESS radical is somebody who is clearly out of touch with reality.

I'd walk and try and find a publisher which wont alter your book too much and publish what your really trying to say

I'll hop on board and say you should walk.

Maybe there's a more.. independant publishing company that will let you--be you.

Really, I don't know.

I'd like to read some of your draft.

Perhaps another publisher will give you just the same speech, but...

I advise you, do the same thing as doctors. Go and find a second opinion and then decide about it.

I know nothing about publishing, so I'll spare you another ignorant comment. :)

It's obvious you are getting advice here from a lot of unpublished people.

I admire your sticking to your principles, but it's the norm for a first time author to have to bow to the wishes of the publisher/editor.

By all means get other opinions, but you might want to swallow your pride and take the deal if you get the same kind of answers. Once you get your foot in the door you'll have more and more freedom.

Yes, it sucks. Yes, it's also reality.

I really can't make a sound judgement, having not read either your original draft nor what they did with it. Most authors, especially new ones, take umbrage at almost any changes to their text, so your view is probably slightly skewed by this sentiment.

For those of you that don't know I wrote a book, about children, and parents, and discipline, and just about everything else you need to know if you want to raise kids like mine.

I got a draft back (of my book) from my publishing co. that had been edited today. I feel like they have lost the essence even of what I wanted to say, I talked to them for about an hour on the phone today. Basically what I get is that people aren't going to buy my book if I don't water it down, and change focus, because people don't want to hear what I have to say. :( I really could care less about selling books, if it means that I have to change the scope of my book, water it down, pull it back, make it pretty.

I got the feeling that I was being talked down to today. My editor says "just come out with a soft book first, and then we can gradually get more harsh with others as the climate permits"

I don't really see my book as "harsh" more than it's just really different. I do draw very noticable lines between what is okay and what is not okay using my method, but I believe that's important to the spirit of the method, since it's all about boundries, and clear and percievable lines between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

I think I will just walk. It's an option in my contract that I can just leave with my work, and forget about this company, but I have to do it soon, like before the deadline of this draft going back to them.

What do you guys think?

If you disagree this vehemently, then look for other publishers. There is an ENORMOUS publishing industry aimed at religious Christians; perhaps you will find a more sympathetic editor there. Big time authors have had to shop their manuscript around and get many rejections before the editor who decided to take a chance.

On the other hand -- he may be telling you that in his experience, it WON'T get published as is.

(I've had a few short stories published in a now-defunct magazine virtually no one will have heard of with few edits made, so I would say my advice is only 'marginally helpful'. ;))

It is also sometimes possible to reach a compromise position. Tone it down a little but not as much as they ask. Things are not black and white; all or nothing is not how the world works.

I would seriously rather it go unpublished than to put my name on it with their changes.

I am taking both copies (the latest draft before this edit that I am okay with, and this draft) to my friend who is a writter and see what she has to say.

I would seriously rather it go unpublished than to put my name on it with their changes.

I am taking both copies (the latest draft before this edit that I am okay with, and this draft) to my friend who is a writter and see what she has to say.

I again applaud your principles, but if you truly feel that you have contributions to make then think carefully. Having your writer friend look things over is a good idea. I'm just playing Devil's Advocate really, but I do know how these things work. It's VERY RARE to get your words published verbatim until you are established.

For those of you that don't know I wrote a book, about children, and parents, and discipline, and just about everything else you need to know if you want to raise kids like mine.

I got a draft back (of my book) from my publishing co. that had been edited today. I feel like they have lost the essence even of what I wanted to say, I talked to them for about an hour on the phone today. Basically what I get is that people aren't going to buy my book if I don't water it down, and change focus, because people don't want to hear what I have to say. :( I really could care less about selling books, if it means that I have to change the scope of my book, water it down, pull it back, make it pretty.

I got the feeling that I was being talked down to today. My editor says "just come out with a soft book first, and then we can gradually get more harsh with others as the climate permits"

I don't really see my book as "harsh" more than it's just really different. I do draw very noticable lines between what is okay and what is not okay using my method, but I believe that's important to the spirit of the method, since it's all about boundries, and clear and percievable lines between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

I think I will just walk. It's an option in my contract that I can just leave with my work, and forget about this company, but I have to do it soon, like before the deadline of this draft going back to them.

What do you guys think?

can you send me a copy of the draft, pretty please. from what i've read you seem quite insightful.

It is your work, your art. Walk away and tell them where they can stuff it. There are other ways to get your book published.

can you send me a copy of the draft, pretty please. from what i've read you seem quite insightful.


Sure -- once she's registered her manuscript with the copyright office. ;)

Sure -- once she's registered her manuscript with the copyright office. ;)

good point. I'd love a draft in the future Smunk.

It is your work, your art. Walk away and tell them where they can stuff it. There are other ways to get your book published.

Very noble, but also the reason so few people get published.

Very noble, but also the reason so few people get published.
true.

My goal was never really to get published, they approached me, they asked me to write a book.

true.

My goal was never really to get published, they approached me, they asked me to write a book.

Ah, well in that case then walk away.

For those of you that don't know I wrote a book, about children, and parents, and discipline, and just about everything else you need to know if you want to raise kids like mine. *snip*

When I asked you before when you were writing your book on raising kids, I thought you were joking. That'll learn me!

In regards to your question; I suppose it depends on whether or not you feel that the total message of your book has changed. From the editior's point of view, they are trying to turn out a product that's going to sell. So they're going to want you to make it 'marketable'. Is it possible to revise it to the point where your message is the same, but with room to add more detail for future publication?

If not, as someone else mentioned earlier, it can't hurt to shop around. You did invest a lot of time and effort into writing this (I would assume.)