Do Not Pass GO; Do Not Collect $200

Well, we’re working on (what I think is) the seventh revision of the friendship book.  We’re trying to get it onto a “self-help/how to” publisher’s shelf.

The acquisitions editor (for the publisher who is currently looking at our material) likes what we have, but doesn’t quite understand why she likes it.  The book hooked her the second she started reading it.  She likes the tone, the voice, the messages, the concept, and the feel to it... but after saying all that, she adds that she’s not sure she can sell the book to her publisher — because it doesn’t follow their cookie-cutter, self-help formula and format.

So, I’m challenged by someone telling me, “I love the book, now change it.” 

“We’re looking for something that has something new and unique to say and has the ability to grab its readers, but it needs to fit our standard vanilla, one-size-fits-all marketing box.”

Yes, statements like these make my head hurt and my eyes roll upward.

She explains that her boss, the publisher, doesn’t understand the structure because it doesn’t have the usual “self-help/how to” feel to it.  Once I explain the reason the book is set up the way it is, she understands and likes the concept.

Her other comments — about her publisher — led me to believe that “her publisher” is focusing on the form and structure of things, and not the essence and substance of the material of the book. 

It became clear to me that, although our test readers love the book the way it is, “publishers” are only focused on how a book can fit their “tried-and-true” marketing and promoting methods to make money.

So, to be picked up by publishers, we have to change a book that people love, into a book that publishers can sell. 

I am struggling with this process, on several different levels.

On the Positive Side:

The book is definitely evolving into something more usable for workshops and presentations.  It’s definitely more marketable to “self-help/how to” publishers; and it’s more structured and easier to follow for readers.

Through the reflections, discussion points, and learning exercises, we're able to explain key concepts and the natural flow of relationship; thus, the book’s concepts and flow.  We’ve turned into tour guides for the readers, guiding them down a particular path, pointing out the nuances and important spots along the journey through the book.

Through these “self-discovery” sections, the book broadens its focus to encompass all types of relationships — not just friendship — so it should have a broader reach in the marketplace… we hope.

With this change in the book’s format and focus, I’ve changed the title.  With a new title, focus, and structure, the book can be pitched all over again — to publishers who've already sent “encouraging letters of hope” the first time around.

On the Negative Side:

I can’t help it.  I liked the smaller, more intimate version.  It was much more creative, artsy, unique, and personal.

The readers were free to infuse themselves into its pages, without someone whispering in their ear where to go, what to feel, or what to think.

The book allowed the readers to be themselves, without any interference, criticism, or judgment from the voice inside the pages of the book.  But now, with the self-discovery section, we’ve added another voice to the array of voices in their heads… telling them what they should do, what they should feel, what they should think... 

This was not my goal.  This is not my vision, but it seems that people are more comfortable being led down a specific path, than to explore the path on their own — at least that's what publishers believe.

If that is, indeed, the case, we’ll be happy to be their tour guides.  We’re just as good as the next guy.

And then it’s the thought of starting ALL OVER, AGAIN with publishers.  It’s going back to where my nightmares start and end… going back to the part I absolutely hate Hate, HATE!

Gosh!  To start all over again is my GO TO JAIL card. Do not pass GO; Do not collect $200.

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