In my case, plenty with a chance of you bet.
I haven’t been able to even verbalize this yet, and I’m still flopping, but get this: I had two ideas for books that I’ve been working on. Keeping notes, fleshing out structure, even, in one case, illustrations. In the last two weeks, I’ve been pitched two books that are identical in premise AND DESIGN to my works-in-progress. One is in my hands, and one I haven’t received yet.
I’m flabbergasted. I said “SHIT!” when I opened the email.
“What?” from Phil, across the room.
“Someone has just asked if I would like a review copy of a book about [blah blah blah]. Even the title nails the general idea of what I’m working on. What are the odds?”
“Really?”
“Yep. And get a load of this—I haven’t even shown you this one because my heart’s still broken over it, but…” I handed him an illustrated book that, down to the style, font, and some of the colors, matched the illustrations I had been working on.
“Whoa.”
Yeah, fuck me, all right. What am I supposed to do with that? I obviously can’t review the books, and I don’t even want to read them lest I risk somehow absorbing and then regurgitating some point, or observation, or punch line from one of them in my own work.
And what really chaps my hide is that an agent contacted me recently and while she did not think she could sell my original book in its original format to a big publishing house (it was all the rage in 2006, I said, before anyone knew what a blog was.), she wanted first crack at anything else I chose to write, including a complete rewrite of my prior work.
I think I’ll decline the offer to review the one, and give the other away.
And then go back to staring at the twelve dollars in my checking account.
Join the Momversation
I write. A lot. I wrote a book
I'm on Momversation.com Hire me for web and graphic design I made some free WordPress Party Themes I like Tenderness and Grace My Latest Videos My Latest Press
There are 55 people reading.
Subscribe to the Feed
- © The MommyBlog.com and Wonderbelly.com
- illustration by TearDrop
- website design by Moxie Design Studios™
The Mommy Blog™, Wonderbelly™, Mommy Confidential™, and PearSoup™ are trademarks of Wonderbelly™. All rights reserved. -
| 
| 
| Blog Listings |
GeekySpeaky: Submit Your Site!
05.21.09 at 07:41 PM |
Wow. That is horrible. I’d ask if you’d discussed your idea with anyone but I’m guessing the answer is no. I have several book ideas and have been like a member of the CIA with my notes. I’d be crushed if that happened after all of my hard work. I hope that you are able to salvage some of the work :(
05.22.09 at 07:03 AM |
Haven’t you ever noticed how books on a particular topic (even in a particular style) always come out in twos or threes? Having a similar book already out there may actually make your book MORE saleable, not less! Get writing! Get on the phone to your agent!
05.22.09 at 09:19 AM |
Well, this proves you’ve tapped into the zeitgeist. Now, to get just a little ahead of the curve…
Or..you’ve tapped into the zeitgeist…can you tweak your material to stand out a little bit from the crowd and shop it around some more?
And..at least it’s twelve dollars on the positive side.
05.22.09 at 11:55 AM |
Wow! I’ve noticed that when I talk with people I feel have the same type of humor or outlook as I, we could almost be saying the same thing at the same time. It’s sort of scary, almost like we are reading each other’s mind. We are that tuned in. As Tricia said, books seem to come out in twos or threes. Write On!!!
05.22.09 at 06:10 PM |
Don’t stop. A good idea is still a good idea, but you have differentiation, you have a built in following, you don’t need reviews you just need to announce your book and your followers will review, tweet and buzz for you.
05.24.09 at 11:42 AM |
Ughhhh - that sucks! With your sense of humor and wit I bet that you can execute your ideas, thoughts and illustrations in a way that is similar in content but vastly unique in style and sophistication.
05.24.09 at 02:10 PM |
oh I am so sorry to hear that, yes what are the chances of that happening. Don’t get discouraged I am a firm believer that if you never give up things always work out.
06.08.09 at 05:03 AM |
Its really horrible.I’d be crushed if that happened after all of my hard work. I hope that you are able to manage some of the work