Wednesday, October 13, 2010

News

I have news. I've been waiting, anxious for what the outcome would be. I just heard back from the CEO of WiDo Publishing and they have gracefully decided to part ways with me.

I've been with them a year, working on and editing my book. I'm not going to go into detail, I'm not going to bash or criticize, but I do have to announce somehow that they are no longer going to publish my book. To sum up, they wanted to change my book too much. I felt I needed to be true to myself and my story. They have set me free with full rights to sell my book elsewhere.

Part of me feels very sad, betrayed, rejected. You know, the usual. Another part is relieved that it's over. I don't know what will happen now, or where I'll go from here. I do know that my career is not over, that it's just begun. I have a good feeling about this change in direction, so we'll see if I'm right. I'll keep you all posted.

This is just a bump in the road, and I've hit bumps before. Nothing can stop me when I have a goal and I do have a goal. Watch out world, here I come.

32 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh dear. I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll find a better home for your story, though. Good luck! And eat a little chocolate tonight. (Just a little.)

Charlotte said...

Good luck with this Melissa--I wish you ALL the best!

Charlotte said...

Good luck with this Melissa--I wish you ALL the best!

Cheri Chesley said...

I'm just sad. I'm sorry it's been so hard for you. You didn't get this far into the process for no reason. I agree with Jaime--have a little chocolate, and allow yourself a little time to grieve over this. Then get back on the horse and get that book in print! ((hugs))

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Oh, Melissa. This makes me want to cry! *HUGS*

This is more common than we hear, you know that?

I'm still going Saturday morning if you want to come with, girl.

I'll keep you in my prayers

Jeri said...

WOW - that is news! I believe you are making the right choice to be true to yourself. Hang in there and we'll all be watching to see where this journey takes you! Love you!

Wendy Lu said...

Aw, I'm sorry about that Melissa. But you did what you had to do, and you did the right thing. My friend had the same problem a few years ago. She wrote a play, which was was acted out at the local theater by a local theater group. However, one of the main actors kept trying to change up the play, everything from the script to the setting. My friend ended up talking to the actor, who was sort of rude about it but toned down some with her "suggestions."

I admire your perseverence and strength to keep going. :) This is a pretty rough patch...if this happened to me I'd be pretty devastated actually. But you're handling it really well and I know you'll do great things with your writing!

~TRA

http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

N. R. Williams said...

So sorry Melissa. You might want to consider e-publishing yourself. Especially since you have the edits done. All you'd need is a cover and they don't cost much to have a professional do that for you.

I have a number of post on e-publishing. Feel free to come by and review them.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Rebecca Talley said...

I'm sorry this has been so hard, but in the end you have to be true to your story. I know you'll find another publisher. I agree wtih Jaime, eat some chocolate, have a good cry, and then send it out to other pubs.

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

Melissa, sad to hear this, but I was also sad that they were ruining your story. You would have never been happy with what they wanted to do to your book. Hang in there!

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chantele Sedgwick said...

I'm so sorry! I know everything will work out for you. You'll be in my prayers. Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry for the hurt you're going through and hopeful for the healing that will come with acceptance elsewhere. *hugs* Take care and you're in my prayers.

danya said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog! Good luck with your book :)

Anonymous said...

Sorry Missy! I know you will get through this and your story will be better for it. You will get it out and it will be better then ever! Glad you decided to keep the story true to you and what you wrote!
Love you!
Jennifer

Old Kitty said...

Oh I'm so sorry!! How awful and turbulent for you!! I'm so sorry!! But I say things were meant to happen for a reason!! I think the best is that you are in full control of your book and you can take it anywhere even better!!! GOOD LUCK!!!! And well done you for being true to your art!! Take care
x

Misha Gerrick said...

Oh that is sad to hear. I hope that you get past the bumps quickly and get published.

:-)

Christine said...

Oh Melissa. I've been in your shoes and it is not fun. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, feel free to contact me. Just know that there is a reason for everything. Good Luck with finding a new home for your baby.

Ann Best said...

Remember: The end will be better than the beginning - IF you keep that faith in yourself, face the future with optimism and determination, and don't give up! You do have a wonderful community of supporters!!
Ann

LTM said...

so sorry for you. ((hug)) I can't imagine how you must feel, but perhaps you can look at it as now the MS is stronger? I'm sure you've done a lot of work on it in the last year?

all the best~

Melissa Cunningham said...

Thanks so much, my friends. I really appreciate your support. I keep thinking I should be more sad, crying or something, but I'm not. And I do look at it as having had free editing for a whole year. I learned a lot from my editor. I just feel sad she wasn't willing to compromise so we were both happy. Oh well. Onward and upward.

Natascha said...

You got that far once and you'll do it again!

Katie Anderson said...

Very sorry to hear that news. It sounds as if you know that you've done the right thing though - it's always better to be true to yourself and your writing.

Here's to the future!

Don said...

Ouch! That's a tough bump, but it sounds like you've got the right attitude, and I'm sure it will all work out in the end. Condolences, and best of luck!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Oh! That's tough news, but it sounds like you've got exactly the right attitude - it's not the end, you're just beginning. Still, I'm sorry for the hurt right now. :(

I stopped over from KarenG's blog, and I'll be back!! Keep on writing ... :)

Lori Calabrese said...

Hang in there, Melissa and keep on writing! :)

Terri Tiffany said...

You stayed true to your story and that is huge!!
My first novel was accepted for publication in England and finally I pulled out due to some reasons I felt wouldn't be good for me as an author or my book. There are always other publishers.

alexia said...

I'm a new follower, so I haven't read the whole back story about this publishing company. But as a fellow writer, I know you did the right thing. We have to stay true to ourselves in this whole process... my stories and characters kind of present themselves to me and become part of me. So, if I was being asked to change things too dramatically, I would do the same thing you did. I have said the same thing about goals - stick to it and you can do anything. I'm still trying to get an agent, so am not as far along as you, but if you want to hear my woes of rejection and the like (of which there is plenty), stop by my blog and we can cry together.

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

MelissA!!! YOu'll always be part of my family. :)

Norma said...

That's the hard part--when you discover you and your publisher don't see your work in the same way. After years of fighting that battle, I went indie!

RosieC said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's always nice to meet a new face.

The hardest part is being true to yourself. I'm glad you could keep to that. Good luck long the way. If one publisher's already tries to pick you up, another one will, too :)

Unknown said...

Good for you for staying true to your story. I'm sincerely sorry things didn't work out with them. I'm sure you'll find the perfect publishing home for your novel who will love it for who it is. ;)