Contents

Acknowledgments

I. LOOKING IN

THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT Is Hope Necessary? / The Ethics of Encouragement / Honest Reassurance / The Meaning of Hope

AFD SYNDROME Nerves are Normal / Frustration Happens / Before Drinking Hemlock

DEALING WITH DISCOURAGERS Discouragers / Projectors / Enviers / Goads / The Ashes of Success

EXORCISING EXCUSES I Don’t Have Enough Time / I’m Not Talented Enough / I Hardly Ever Get Inspired / I Didn’t Study Writing / I’m The Wrong Age / I’m Too Afraid I’ll Fail

 

II. LOOKING OUT

RITES OF REJECTION An Occupational Hazard / Recycling Rejection / Rejection Hubris / Why Did They Have to Publish My Book? / The Vagaries of Rejection

THE PUBLISHING TRIBE Why Publishing Resembles High School / The Writing Way, The Publishing Way / Tribal Customs / Territoriality / Matters of Taste

BETTING ON BOOKS Shooting Craps / Conventional Wisdom, Publishing Division / We Just Can’t See It / That Won’t Sell! / Rhymes and Reasons / Categorical Imperatives

 

III. BEYOND FRUSTRATION

ENCOURAGERS Family / Teachers / Mentors / Colleagues / Agents / Editors / Readers

KEEPING HOPE ALIVE Create a Consolation file / Study Acknowledgments / Attend Courses and Conferences / Group / Bone up / Be Professional / Go easy on yourself / Be Tactical / Indulge Dubious Motives / Get Busy on Your Own Behalf

THE BEST OF TIMES Chicken Soup for Small Press Dummies / In the Tradition of Thoreau / E-Publishing / The Safety Net

THE HOPEFUL WRITER Divers / The Common Thread / No Ex-Writers / The Joy of Writing / Spit in the Face of Despair

Notes

Further Reading

Index