http://tossingitout.blogspot.com
I thought for sure I would be asked by many why I chose Tate Publishing for my book. Only a few have asked.
When I finished my second draft, I suppose like every other writer I thought I would send out a few query letters and land a top agent and giant publisher. I was after all already a writer (for newspapers).
Reality Check. After 2 months and a dozen rejections…it finally happened. She asked me for 3 chapters…then a full…then 3 weeks of agonizing, gut wrenching waiting…she called. When she said she would like to represent me I was beyond excited. I could not even speak.
The excitement lasted about a week. When I called with a question and it took ‘big time’ agent a week to get back to me and then treated me like I was bothering her, I knew in my gut, this was not a good fit.
It was depressing. I went right back to work, improved my query and started sending again. I received an e-mail from Tate. They requested a partial. A few days later they requested a full. I sent it and then looked them up. The news was not good. They had some bad reviews. I decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
A few days later my ‘dream agent’ e-mailed requesting 3 chapters. A week later he requested a full. In the mean time, Janey from Tate Publishing called me and we spoke for an hour. She actually read my book. She was emotional about the story. She answered every question I had and honestly I could tell she was a nice person. It was a shame; I thought because I really liked her.
I waited for what seemed like forever for ‘dream’ agent to get back to me. He finally called and said, “Okay I’ll bite. Do you really think this thing will sell”? This “thing” was the gut wrenching, soul draining story of my brother’s brutal murder. I was getting desperate though and read the contract. I didn’t even need to send it to the literary attorney it sucked.
The publishing industry in general was rude. I could not get Tate and how nice Janey was out of my mind. The contract was great and the biggest thing for me was I maintained rights. I investigated further; bought Tate books and e-mailed some of their author’s. They were all thrilled with Tate. My mind was pretty much made up.
I was involved in a car accident (not my fault) and suffered my 3rd concussion, as well as other injuries. This was not good for someone with epilepsy. A year later I thought I was well enough to write again. I rewrote my manuscript and e-mailed Janey. She said she would send a new contract. I had an attorney look it over and he said it was all good.
So far; all is well. We are in production and everyone at Tate is still kind and such a pleasure to work with. I am trying to enjoy this process but of course I am anxiously awaiting my ‘baby’.
My husband and I had a wonderful visit at Tate and met so many talented people. They were all even nicer in person.
I do not have cobwebs in my head and I realize as a first time author I am going to have to work really hard locally to market this book. Tate’s marketing folks will deal with the national stuff and the larger book stores. I have a local marketing firm to handle the smaller book stores. I think we have a great plan in place.
So to sum up I chose Tate because they treated me like a human being; they called my book by it’s name and I feel good about my choice
