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Originally Posted by bpcyclist
Things seem kinda stable bl 1 wise right now. So grateful for this. Getting this human rights thing off the ground is a fair bit of work. But it will be worth it.
Beginning to make the dreaded agent/publishing inquiries. I must say, if none of you have ever done this before, there is a pretty funny phenomenon that goes on with most literary agents in the US. Sorry if I offend anyone here, but, somewhere along the line, the literary agent industry conlcuded that what they do for a living is somewhere on the same spectrum of overall global significance and importance and Crucialness To The Galaxy's Very Survival, as being a homicide detective in LA or maybe the National Security Advisor or somethig. I mean, there is this whole attitude of such commanding officiousness that it actually causes me to laugh at loud occasionally--and I never laugh. You would think these people were running the trauma service in a busy US major city or something by their attitude and demeanor. Except most bigwig trauma surgeons aren't nearly as arrogant.
This attitude most overty manifests in a complete unwillingness pretty much ever to respond to the vast majority of communcations sent their way. I understand and appreciate they must get a lot of submissions, many, crap, but, I, myself, used to get maybe 200 emails a day at my career apex. Many, questions from doctors and nurses about patient care issues. Laser stuff. I answered ever single one of them, plus all the phone calls. Always and with a smile on my face. everyone had my cell number. If some doc in Madrid needed help, I was there. No problem. DIdn't get paid a penny for any of this. It just seemed like the right and ethical, human, thing to do.
Anyhoo, just a rant about people who think what they do is just so much more important and special than what everyone else does. Got news for you, literary agents, you do books for a living. Books. Love 'em, can't live without 'em. But they are, in fact, books. Might wasnt to undertake a little golabal importance reality check and trim back the excruciating pompousness a tad. Just a thought.
Everyone contributes. everyone is important. Everyone is special. Every worker--the people who feed us, those who care for our health, our heroic teachers, first responders, the students who are our future, teh people who cheefully clean all our stuff and our places of work and homes. Everyone is special. Noone is more imprtant than any other human. Noone. I completely and utterly reject that entire attitdue and position.
Okay, enough. Love and hugs to all!!!!
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Hi bpcyclist! I have been excited for you that you have completed such an important book. I'm sorry that you're struggling to get the proper attention for it. You may recall that I have been working on a book of my own for a while. If/when I ever finish it, I'll have to struggle with the same challenges you describe.
I know something about gaining recognition and attention. It's "Who you know!" [I won't add the second part ending in "blow".] Yes, networking is crucial. Who have you been in contact with in regards to your book? Who do you know? Who, other than the agents/publishers, have you talked with about your book? Do you have anyone's name to name drop? Wouldn't it be lovely to get a good name and review quote for your book back cover or cover sleeves?
I wonder if any of the following people could be "that person"? Even if you first start by asking THEM a question about their work, it can lead to you sharing about yours and maybe getting a plug, of sorts.
Pete Earley (journalist, writer, speaker, activist) who wrote a great book called
"Crazy: A Father's Journey through America's Mental Health Chaos". See
Pete Earley - Bestselling Author and Mental Health Advocate
Bryan Stevenson (lawyer, writer, social justice activist, clinical professor at NYU School of Law, founder/executive director of Equal Justice Initiative). Or anyone from Equal Justice Initiative or a similar organization.
Someone high up at NAMI. Have you ever attended a major NAMI event? I wonder if they would consider letting you give a talk about the content of your book?
Someone high up at DBSA. Ditto as above regarding NAMI.
One of the main writers for Bp Magazine (
bpHope.com | Hope & Harmony for People with Bipolar). I'm thinking someone like a Melody Moezzi, who is a lawyer, has bipolar 1, experience at hospitals which she wrote about in her book "Haldol and Hyacinths". Maybe Julie Fast (
Julie A. Fast) also has bp and is a well published writer. I briefly met both.
Andy Behrman, man with bipolar 1 with psych hospital experiences, and writer of "Electroboy". I briefly met him at one of his book readings.
Dr. James Phelps (
Contact PsychEducation - PsychEducation), a well-known psychiatrist and writer of issues relating to bipolar disorder. His website focuses on bp2, but his knowledge and experience go beyond that. I've had brief correspondence with him because he liked my question.
John McManamy, writer of several books on bipolar disorder, man with bipolar disorder, was a very popular blogger. He used to go to the same DBSA meeting as me.
One of the bloggers mentioned at
The 10 best bipolar blogs
DocJohn here at PC. I've read many great articles here at PC. Wouldn't it be great to write one, too, or an excerpt from your book, if DocJohn would allow that. The PC articles often pop up on page 1 of various searches. I'm not sure how well known DocJohn is in the psych industry, and if he'd read or like your book, but who knows.
A prestigious professor at a local university?
A journalist working at your local newspaper or TV station?
Another expert in the field of the topic you address in your book? A celebrity that is passionate about the topic?
Not every person above would be responsive, but some might, especially if you write something that would really catch their attention. One never knows unless they try.
Have you considered starting a blog as a means of attracting recognition for your writing? You get to network that way, too. If you get to know top bipolar bloggers, you may even be able to have a guest post published on their blog. Then you can add that bragging point. Top bloggers have tens of thousands of followers, can sell their books online, earn ad income, etc. You'd better believe that some of these top bloggers know influential people.
It is sad that many wonderful and educational books remain unpublished, when superficial celebrity junk tops the NY Time's Best Sellers list.