This is fascinating, frustrating, and very instructional for anyone thinking of going down the fatal path of trying to be a writer. Dealing with agents and publishers is soul-crushing.
I've had this comment of Orwell on my mind: "Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist or understand."
Thanks for sharing this story, Ross. It honestly sounds like the way to go is building your own network and then using those connections, as they'll respect you and won't try to change your work too much. I don't think I could deal with agents or publishers trying to change endings, titles, etc.
The decision not to end things with an unresponsive and unhelpful agent held my book in limbo for years. Same exact behavior of saying they'd get back to me by a certain date, then never responding except to give some strange excuse. It makes you feel insane!
Relatable. I was ghosted by my first agent (an aspiring Power Agent), while my second agent seemed to lack all clout, and so we came to a parting of the ways. Three novels in quick succession all failed to sell. But I’m thrilled to now have a novel coming out on an independent press with some mojo behind it, not to mention a deep footprint here in Chicago. I’ll be hustling for it as hard as my GenX soul will allow, and hope that word of mouth carries the day.
Thanks for the transparency here, it will prove invaluable to the young & new writers out there who are in it for the wrong reasons. What strikes me about your story is, to be blunt, how much of your early work WAS being written in order to be well received, as opposed for the spirit of the work itself. That Glass Century meant to much to you and your hustle is why it was well reviewed in esteemed publications, yes; but more to the point, it sounds to me like Glass Century is a story only you could write. And real novelists don’t write anything other than what they must. And THAT is a wisdom that can take years to understand. Inspired and proud of you for your journey, good sir. As a fellow novelist in the trenches with my own alternative journey, here’s to never letting anyone name our novels for the market, which is currently benefitting from record stocks because of war and imperialism. If that’s the market we dream of being a part of, might as well put down the pen and buy a gun.
I didn’t write the early works to be well-received, though. I did want recognition, but these were books I very much wanted to write, that sort of came to me very quickly, almost like a vision, and I needed them to get out there. I was also working through many of the same themes I still find in my work, more than a decade later.
Fair play, I was more referring to making concessions for the market in terms of book titles, plots, etc … an inevitable aspect of the traditional publishing industry of course, but one that must be a tough one to swallow for folks like you and me who believe in the sanctity of saying what we need to say. It’s a revelation to look back at our earlier work and see where the light glows, particularly when it glows in places the supposed market / “experts” said it was not worth pursuing / needed to be tampered with. To have a voice and be confident in it without hope or despair, well hello, that’s something to shoot for 🤘🏼
I deeply appreciate the candid transparency about your real world journey, and the (much needed but equally humbling) delusion that teaches and pushes us forward at the same time. It’s honest in a way not a lot of writers are able to be, but to me it’s deeply inspiring because of the authenticity. You’re a god damn professional, and it shows. The bumps, bruises and brutal delays all resonate. Thank you for sharing in earnest. It’s a reminder that I needed to keep going.
I love this kind of shit. Fraught publication journeys. Insider-y agent shade. Insight into how much of a casino game publishing really is ... Appreciate the candor here. And, as others have said, there's much to be admired about your persistence.
Such a fascinating read, Ross. I appreciate your honesty about the process, and your persistence is really admirable.
This is fascinating, frustrating, and very instructional for anyone thinking of going down the fatal path of trying to be a writer. Dealing with agents and publishers is soul-crushing.
I've had this comment of Orwell on my mind: "Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist or understand."
As someone who's had a similarly roundabout way to publishing several books, this was eminently relatable. Very glad that you've made it work...
Thanks for sharing this story, Ross. It honestly sounds like the way to go is building your own network and then using those connections, as they'll respect you and won't try to change your work too much. I don't think I could deal with agents or publishers trying to change endings, titles, etc.
I'm pissed on your behalf that M is entitled to anything
Unmatched hustle!
The decision not to end things with an unresponsive and unhelpful agent held my book in limbo for years. Same exact behavior of saying they'd get back to me by a certain date, then never responding except to give some strange excuse. It makes you feel insane!
Incredible journey, Ross - thank you so much for all these hefty insights. Wishing you all the best and hope to support in any way that I can 💓
Relatable. I was ghosted by my first agent (an aspiring Power Agent), while my second agent seemed to lack all clout, and so we came to a parting of the ways. Three novels in quick succession all failed to sell. But I’m thrilled to now have a novel coming out on an independent press with some mojo behind it, not to mention a deep footprint here in Chicago. I’ll be hustling for it as hard as my GenX soul will allow, and hope that word of mouth carries the day.
Speaking of hustling: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-words-of-jack-ruby-joshua-corey/22486d693a4b71d7
Thanks for the transparency here, it will prove invaluable to the young & new writers out there who are in it for the wrong reasons. What strikes me about your story is, to be blunt, how much of your early work WAS being written in order to be well received, as opposed for the spirit of the work itself. That Glass Century meant to much to you and your hustle is why it was well reviewed in esteemed publications, yes; but more to the point, it sounds to me like Glass Century is a story only you could write. And real novelists don’t write anything other than what they must. And THAT is a wisdom that can take years to understand. Inspired and proud of you for your journey, good sir. As a fellow novelist in the trenches with my own alternative journey, here’s to never letting anyone name our novels for the market, which is currently benefitting from record stocks because of war and imperialism. If that’s the market we dream of being a part of, might as well put down the pen and buy a gun.
I didn’t write the early works to be well-received, though. I did want recognition, but these were books I very much wanted to write, that sort of came to me very quickly, almost like a vision, and I needed them to get out there. I was also working through many of the same themes I still find in my work, more than a decade later.
Fair play, I was more referring to making concessions for the market in terms of book titles, plots, etc … an inevitable aspect of the traditional publishing industry of course, but one that must be a tough one to swallow for folks like you and me who believe in the sanctity of saying what we need to say. It’s a revelation to look back at our earlier work and see where the light glows, particularly when it glows in places the supposed market / “experts” said it was not worth pursuing / needed to be tampered with. To have a voice and be confident in it without hope or despair, well hello, that’s something to shoot for 🤘🏼
Luck, talent, and perseverance. It's reassuring when these aren't just words and there's the real-life story that shows they work.
I deeply appreciate the candid transparency about your real world journey, and the (much needed but equally humbling) delusion that teaches and pushes us forward at the same time. It’s honest in a way not a lot of writers are able to be, but to me it’s deeply inspiring because of the authenticity. You’re a god damn professional, and it shows. The bumps, bruises and brutal delays all resonate. Thank you for sharing in earnest. It’s a reminder that I needed to keep going.
Very interesting, Ross!
Great piece, thanks for sharing
So inspiring, and heartening. Thanks for the insights!
I love this kind of shit. Fraught publication journeys. Insider-y agent shade. Insight into how much of a casino game publishing really is ... Appreciate the candor here. And, as others have said, there's much to be admired about your persistence.
haha I love reading stuff like this, so glad I can provide