Yesterday morning, an acquaintance told me about a concept for a picture book that sounded so perfect, it’s amazing that someone else hasn’t already thought of it.
Funny I should think that when I did.
This sort of implausibly unclaimed idea comes along from time to time, and one of them came to me a few years ago. When I thought up the title and concept for P.O., (a.k.a. “the bomb,” for you longtime Bartographiles), I immediately checked into whether they’d already been done. Astonishingly, they hadn’t, so I started writing and ended up with three complete picture book manuscripts and partial takes on two more stories, all involving the same characters.
Then came yesterday afternoon’s news from my agent. She’d submitted P.O. to an editor at a major house, and something about the title rang a bell with this editor. Could that be because another editor at the same house had recently been showing around an illustrator’s project with the same title and concept?
Yes, indeed.
It makes me a little queasy to think about, so I’m not going to think about it. It’s just that simple.
Not thinking about it.
Still not thinking about it.
I know this is frustrating. However, if another editor is merely “showing around” another illustrator’s similiar concept, does that mean it hasn’t been purchased yet? There’s always the possibility yours will be preferred.
A few years ago, two books came out about Amelia Earhart. They probably got more publicity because everyone was writing articles about “Hey! There are two books out these year about Amelia Earhart!”
This could still work out.
I know this is frustrating. However, if another editor is merely “showing around” another illustrator’s similiar concept, does that mean it hasn’t been purchased yet? There’s always the possibility yours will be preferred.
A few years ago, two books came out about Amelia Earhart. They probably got more publicity because everyone was writing articles about “Hey! There are two books out these year about Amelia Earhart!”
This could still work out.
I know this is frustrating. However, if another editor is merely “showing around” another illustrator’s similiar concept, does that mean it hasn’t been purchased yet? There’s always the possibility yours will be preferred.
A few years ago, two books came out about Amelia Earhart. They probably got more publicity because everyone was writing articles about “Hey! There are two books out these year about Amelia Earhart!”
This could still work out.
Chris, another powwow picture book was released already immediately before Jingle Dancer but after I’d signed the contract; happens all the time, and I don’t think it mattered to either book. Think positive! Best, Cyn
Chris, another powwow picture book was released already immediately before Jingle Dancer but after I’d signed the contract; happens all the time, and I don’t think it mattered to either book. Think positive! Best, Cyn
Chris, another powwow picture book was released already immediately before Jingle Dancer but after I’d signed the contract; happens all the time, and I don’t think it mattered to either book. Think positive! Best, Cyn
It all depends….on how closely related the content of the two are. You can have the same concept, same title, and have two completely different books in final look and content…and in how well-done or not how well-done each book might be.
It all depends….on how closely related the content of the two are. You can have the same concept, same title, and have two completely different books in final look and content…and in how well-done or not how well-done each book might be.
It all depends….on how closely related the content of the two are. You can have the same concept, same title, and have two completely different books in final look and content…and in how well-done or not how well-done each book might be.
I echo the other comments, but also add that it does, in fact, totally suck to hear about another similar project. But again… there’s a lot of houses, a lot of different ways to tell a story, and one simply just never knows. Still, this is why the best thing we writers can do is write, write, write, write, write.
(and grumble from time to time!)
I echo the other comments, but also add that it does, in fact, totally suck to hear about another similar project. But again… there’s a lot of houses, a lot of different ways to tell a story, and one simply just never knows. Still, this is why the best thing we writers can do is write, write, write, write, write.
(and grumble from time to time!)
I echo the other comments, but also add that it does, in fact, totally suck to hear about another similar project. But again… there’s a lot of houses, a lot of different ways to tell a story, and one simply just never knows. Still, this is why the best thing we writers can do is write, write, write, write, write.
(and grumble from time to time!)
Good advice and perspective all around, everybody — thanks for the bucking up. And no, the other book with the same title and concept hasn’t been purchased by that house, though it’s apparently still under consideration. Stay tuned…
Good advice and perspective all around, everybody — thanks for the bucking up. And no, the other book with the same title and concept hasn’t been purchased by that house, though it’s apparently still under consideration. Stay tuned…
Good advice and perspective all around, everybody — thanks for the bucking up. And no, the other book with the same title and concept hasn’t been purchased by that house, though it’s apparently still under consideration. Stay tuned…