It Looks LIke I May Have a Publisher

[ahunter3]

I see another email in my inbox with subject "re: QUERY--From a Differently Gendered Closet: The Story of Q".

I double-click it to see who the rejection is from so I can dutifully record it in my database of queries.

It starts off:


I really like what I've read so far of your manuscript and would like to offer you a publishing contract if it's still available. We are a digital-first publisher, so first publication would be in ebook form. Our terms are quite generous.

Let me know if you're interested.

Pretty much everything in our contract is negotiable...


I blink a lot.




I have a weary and wary and cynical outlook at this point. I was querying publishers back in 1982 and got an offer to publish and only after reading the fine print realized it was what is called a "vanity press".

This publisher is not a vanity press, I know that much at least. But that doesn't mean this is a done deal and that there aren't any dealbreaker-type "gotchas". But I'm sipping tequila at the moment, oh yes I am.



If it should turn out that this really and truly is IT and I'm going to be published (in a way that counts, etc) then for the record I just crossed the 800-query mark:


Current Stats:


The Story of Q--Total Queries = 800
Rejections: 735
Outstanding: 65

As NonFiction--total queries = 579
Rejections: 516
Outstanding: 63

As Fiction--total queries = 221
Rejections: 219
Outstanding: 2



The query that landed this response was sent directly to publisher and billed it as fiction (LGBTQ-Feminist), specifically as a coming-out story, "a 97,000-word coming-of-age (and coming-out) story - set in the 1970s but aimed at today's gender-questioning world."

Further info will be forthcoming. I'll keep you informed.


In other news, I will be presenting my talk again at the EPIC lifestyle conference this weekend! I'll post about that too.

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Comments

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

If you'd like to message me privately with details on the potential publisher I'd be happy to tell you what if anything I know about them. I review a good bit of LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction and may have some insight.

[old-cutter-john.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[musicman.livejournal.com]

Keeping my fingers crossed that this is the big breakthrough!

[khall.livejournal.com]

Good luck! Happy for you.

K.

Rooting for you

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Allan:

Sounds promising...waiting to hear your screams of joy!

Love,
Con

[(Anonymous)]

David W Wooddell Way to go, Allan Hunter

[(Anonymous)]

Joyce Mcco I am sooooooo proud of you! You go friend! :) (PS: I knew you when...)

[(Anonymous)]

Jim Brown Good luck Allan with this possible publisher!

[(Anonymous)]

Debbie O'Connor Cheers!

[(Anonymous)]

Beth Alyson Schwartz · 4 mutual friends
So happy for you darlin'

[(Anonymous)]

Rick D. Day DAM SON!

[(Anonymous)]

Donna Fyfe Awesome!!!!! All extremities crossed for you and all the best wishes. (Is this an updated version of Same Closet, Different Door?)

[ahunter3.livejournal.com]

Allan Hunter No, it's a 325-page book based on 8thGrade-thru-Age-21 era of my autobio. Same IDEA as SCDD but as a personal inside-the-experience thingie instead of an abstract-theory thingie.

[(Anonymous)]

Donna Fyfe Yeah, it seemed like something more personal, from what I was gathering ..... Good Luck!!! Hugs to you!

[(Anonymous)]

Con Artist HOpe to be celebrating with you soon! https://www.facebook.com/events/250803868597468/

I'm performing tonight, if you can join me

[ahunter3.livejournal.com]

Allan Hunter OK... I now have an AGENT (one of the ones who seriously considered me before) and negotiations are underway, the terms look better to me today, or else my wary tired cynicism is less in evidence... it's starting to seem real. I'm finally gonna be in print!

[(Anonymous)]

Joyce Mcco I knew you would be...... !

[(Anonymous)]

Foster F Blue 10/10 Would buy!