Publishing Is No Fairy Tale

By Maureen McGowan

If you watch movies that feature characters who are authors, nothing seems more exciting or glamorous than being a published author. And occasionally there is a real life publishing fairy tale, like Stephanie Myers’, where an author’s first book gets published relatively easily and then goes on to make a huge amount of money and launch a highly successful movie franchise. Or even the J.K. Rowling story where getting published was not such an easy path, but once published, the books took off, making her one of the richest women in the world.

Those outlier stories perpetuate the myth of the glamorous, hit-the-jackpot world of publishing.

But alas, for the vast, vast, vast, (vast, vast, vast), majority of authors, the publishing experience is nothing like that. We spend hours and hours (years and years) toiling away on our books, learning our craft, pouring our very hearts and souls into our stories, only to be met with slaps of rejection, bad luck and disappointment.

But the combination of the lure of that rare fairy tale happy ending, and/or the satisfaction of the journey, keep us going.

My first two published novels, CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR and SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER, are launching a new series TWISTED TALES aimed at girls aged 11 and up. They’ll be released in Spring 2011 by Baker & Taylor Publishing Group. Yippee!!!

While this particular publishing journey started off like a fairy tale—a two book deal based on a short proposal done on a whim—it quickly developed into a story with obstacles worthy of the scariest fairy tale witch.

Oh, that sounds so dramatic. LOL. It wasn’t that bad. But to sum things up, just as I was putting the finishing touches on these two stories, admiring the covers, and basking in the glow of seeing them up for pre-order at all the major book retailers, the publisher shut down. Bang. Closed. Publishing dream dead.

The happy ending is that the books quickly found another home, and from what I’ve seen so far, a home worthy of any fairy tale princess’s dreams.

When Cindy first invited me to guest blog, I’d hoped to be offering copies of these books as a giveaway, but alas, they won’t be available for several months, yet. I haven’t even seen the new covers, yet, but based on the mock ups, I am very excited.

And fret not. This blog giveaway story has a happy ending, too! In fact, the winner of this giveaway will win stories by twenty different authors. I’m giving away a copy of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE, an anthology of short stories that was released last December. It’s full of great stories and I hope it will tide you over until my YA novels are released.

When you were young, what was your favorite fairy tale? Do you look at the story differently now?

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Please leave a comment to enter to win THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE. If you’re reading this blog through a feed at Facebook, Goodreads or another social network, please note you need to leave your comment at www.museinterrupted.com to enter.

To read the back cover blurb for THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE or to read Maureen’s bio, see yesterday’s post. Visit Maureen’s website to learn more about her upcoming Young Adult novels.

By Cindy

I'm irritated because my posts won't publish.

48 comments

  1. My favorite fairy tale has always been Sleeping Beauty. I have the Disney movie that I watch with my grandkids and I still love the story. I love the Mammoth Book’s, I have several of them and recommend them highly. I would love to read this one.

    seriousreader at live dot com

  2. I’m glad your YA books will still be out. As I read your titles, I thought that I knew an 11 year old girl who would love them.

    My favorite fairy tale is a bit weird for a choice: Puss N Boots. Now I think the basic plot would be a great book … but so far I haven’t found the story and characters that would do it justice.

  3. Hi everyone and welcome to Maureen! Maureen, I love the idea for your twisted fairy tales and the covers are amazing (the covers are up on Maureen’s website, if anyone wants to check them out). Do Disney Movies qualify as fairy tales? Cinderella appeals to me because of her name, LOL. But for some reason I’m not quite sure how to identify, I LOVE the Snow White ride at Disneyland–went on it four times in a row and wanted to live in a house like Snow White’s (um, was an adult when this occurred). I love the dwarves, I love the twisted mirror and the apple, and the witch. The prince doesn’t really factor into my reasons for loving the story. Okay, I guess he’s kind of heroic. Now, I don’t want to live with the seven dwarves, I just want that cute little thatched roof house. The dwarves can send me their earnings from the mine, and I guess the prince can visit once a week to keep me entertained. We’ll see.

  4. I’m so glad your publishing tale has a happy ending. Congratulations! I’m especially excited about Cinderella: Ninja Warrior as Cinderella is my favourite fairy tale. Since I’m a Buffy fan and now a big Vampire Diaries fan, your story Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer sounds like my kind of story. Thank goodness you said these books are for 11 and up because I’m definitely on the ‘and up’ side … except in my heart, where I’ll always be eleven. 🙂

    Wishing you much success with your stories!
    Gail Fuller

  5. Your stories sound lovely. What a lot of fun! I’ve always loved fairy tales — we grew up on Andrew Lang as well as the more familiar classics — and I have twisted a tale or two of my own in the past. 🙂 As for what is my favorite…so very hard to choose just one. I think I’ll go a bit obscure and opt for The Wild Swans.

    I look forward to reading your books. I love fairy tale series. Collecting fairy tales in general is a hobby, so I will add these to the list!

    As for your own personal fairy tale, congratulations — twice! Shows how strong the books are indeed.

  6. Sigh. Ah, the trials and tribulations of publishing. And people wonder why so many writers drink. I’m so glad your story has the happy ending it deserves. Can’t wait to see you on the YA shelf!

  7. Hi Marueen,
    Congratulations on pursuing, overcoming obsticals and achieving your dream! As you touched upon, it’ important for each of to define our dream, not the ambitions of others. For me Cinderella is my favorite fairytale. Who doesn’t want someone to appear and make all of life’s issues disappear and put us in a happy place. But I’ve learned it’s our own state of mind that delvers us our happy ending.
    Please know that I’m thrilled for you and wish you continued success! ^5

  8. I look forward to hopefully seeing both these books come out. I would really be interested in reading them.

  9. Congratulations on the release, Maureen. I share your up/down trials and tribulations with the wacky world of publishing. My first YA novel was caught in the warehouse when the publisher went under; it did come out (another publisher took over thankfully) but it was angsty there for a while. In retrospect, it was a good intro to this career I love because nothing goes as planned!

    I can’t wait to read Cinderella – Ninja Warrior. I’m so pleased to see you kicking off the series!

  10. Linda, I love Sleeping Beauty, too. But in my version she only sleeps during the day and she’s the only one in the kingdom awake at night to protect everyone from the vampires.

    I’m at a movie at the Toronto International film fest now. Will check in again in a couple of hour s.

  12. Hi Maureen, Hi Cindy-

    I love this blog- sorry for all the troubles- but what I love about it is that you are very forthright with the lack of fairy tale in publishing. I’m glad things worked out for you!! (I have one friend who had every line she sold to shut down- I think there were three or four.)
    To continue to write is to be a gambler at heart- we’re always looking for the next big win. (and enjoying making stuff up as we go along.)
    Best of luck with your fun series.

    Cheers~

  13. Maureen, as one of the vast, vast, vast number of authors out there, I appreciate your story of perseverance. The HEA, though, is worth the work and worry, and you have earned every ounce of happily-ever-after from the publishing world that you receive!

    Gooooooorgeous covers!

  14. Hi, Cindy and Maureen!! *waving*
    You know how much I’m looking forward to the release of these books, Maureen…congrats on persisting through the obstacle course of publishing!! My fave in the fairy-tale realm is Cinderella — so I esp. can’t wait to see your ninja girl in action!! 🙂

  15. Hi Maureen! I firmly believe that good things happen to good people, so congratulations on finding a new home for your books. I KNOW that there’s a lot more to come from you yet, and I’m anxiously waiting for the day I can read the rest of your wonderful stories.

    My favorite fairy tale growing up was “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” I guess I really do believe in the power of good things happening to good people (Plus I love the idea of waking up and finding out that someone has done your work for you!)

  16. Mine was always Cinderella. And while I do look at it differently now, its still my favorite. In all its revisions and adaptations.

  17. Hi Maureen,
    So happy to hear your books have found a new home. I’m a sucker for Sleeping Beauty. It’s been my favorite fairy tale since I was little (with Cinderella a close second), so I’m looking forward to reading your books.

  18. Hi Maureen,

    That is a story worthy of a fairy tale – so glad you found a new home for your YA books! I will be looking for them when they come out!

    Pam

  19. Maureen, I’m so glad to hear you found a new home for your books. You’ll have to let me know where and when I can pick up a copy.

    Congrats!

  20. Edie! Someone from my local chapter Lila DiPasqua has an anthology of 3 fairytale adaptations out right now, and one of them is Puss and Boots! It’s AWAKENED BY A KISS from Berkley. On shelves now. 🙂

    Her fairy tales (fiery tales) are for slightly older (grown up) girls. 🙂

  22. Cindy, the Disney adaptations are certainly the most famous… but most of the original stories are much darker. Cinderella was a hard one for me. Both because so many other writers have tackled it, and because I didn’t want to write about a girl who needed a prince to save her… or a prince who couldn’t recognize a girl he supposedly loved unless she was all dressed up. So I’ve put a whole new spin on it. I hope.

    Gail, Thanks for coming by. I’m sure excited about these books, too. I hope they’ll appeal to readers of all ages.

    Rie, I’d forgotten about The Wild Swans. Now I’m going to have to hunt down a version and read it again. I just saw BLACK SWAN a new movie coming out this winter with Natalie Portman. Boy was it chilling! And a very twisted take on the Swan Lake story — a ballet fairy tale with a tragic ending.

  23. Maureen–I’m really looking forward to your books! I’m so glad you made it through the needle’s eye–or should I say, past the Troll guarding the bridge–not once, but twice, and that your dream is coming true! Best of luck!

  25. Maureen! I love retelling of fairy tales. Yours sound awesome. We’ve talked at length about your writing journey, and I’m so happy you’ve found another home for your books. May you your books reap a ton of sales.

  26. Thank you for sharing your experience. My favourite fairy tale was probably the Little Mermaid. Original version, thank you very much, not Disney.

    At the time I was in it for the tragic romance (despite being 6 or 8 or what have you) but especially the magic of being a mermaid. To think of it right this moment I see it in terms of adult themes, of longing for a different life (that’s certainly familiar), love, foolishness, self-sacrifice, personal tests. Hmmm, seems even more depressing than when I was a kid. Thank you for asking the question. lol

  27. Congratulations, Maureen – my road to publication started off in a similar, choppy fashion, lol – but like you, I perservered! Kudos!! I look forward to your books

  29. Great post, Maureen, waving high to Cindy. I am thrilled your story had a happy ending. Gosh, my favorite fairy tale had to be Hansel and Gretel — it has a suspense in it. So glad everything worked out for you and your YAs sound like a wonderful read.

  30. My favorite fairy tale was Cinderella. I saw myself as the long suffering eldest child worked to death by caring for her obnoxious younger siblings.

    I waited for my prince to come to sweep me away from all the hardwork and babysitting the devil’s disciples.

  31. What a happy ending! The books sound like fun, even for a 38 year old. 🙂

    I don’t remember my favorite fairy tale. I think I was more a Tom Sawyer kind of girl. 🙂

  32. Hi Maureen…

    My favorite fairy tale? I love Sleeping Beauty. I bought an Aurora pin when we were at Disney World for the conference.

    Congrats on the turnaround for your books. May they be twice as successful for all your worry.

    Lynn

  33. Maureen: I’m so glad your fairy tales did find a home. I saw the covers on your site. They’re fantastic! My favorite fairy tale as a little girl was Cinderella. I liked it because she triumphed over the mean girls at the end.

  34. Sorry so late, Maureen. Doctor day, but I’m glad I stopped by. So happy to hear your story had a happy ending. The cream WILL rise to the top. It’s a law. *G*

  35. I am so glad your HEA turned out okay after all. Cinderella has to be my favorite fairy tale. Ty for sharing your information with us. Lots of luck with the future.

  37. I am sooo happy your books found a new home, Maureen! What a story you will have to tell 🙂 This business is insane with it’s constant roller coaster rides. It’s a wonder we’re all not crazy…lol then again, maybe we are 🙂

  39. Oh Maureen the road to publishing is no fairy tale but you deserve all the success in the world. My favorite was always Cinderella, still is. I wonder why? Waiting for that Prince to take me away from all the work of life? LOL

  40. Wow, Maureen! Nothing like a little adventure to keep life interesting. Congratulations on finding a new home for your YAs. Can’t wait to read them. As for my favorite fairy tale…Thumbelina. As a girl, I had wonderful daydreams about sleeping in a walnut shell bed, sailing on a lily pad boat, and finding a hunky prince with cool wings in a flower. Joy & Peace!

  41. Thanks to everyone who came by. Maureen, you had a magnificient turn-out. Thank you again for being so frank in your blog. Publishing is so much harder than most non-writers realize. That your books found a new home is incredible and a testament to your talent.

    Chosen by random number generator, the winner of the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, which includes Maureen’s story, “Lost and Found,” is…drum roll…Abigail Sharpe!

    Abigail, please look for an email from me in your inbox.

    Thanks again, everyone. My next guest blogger is Canadian erotic romance author Susan Lyons. Two Canadians in a row! Very cool. Susan, a fellow member of my Greater Vancouver RWA chapter, is blogging Tuesday, October 5th. Mark your calendars!

  43. Maureen!!! Well, you KNOW how thrilled I am about your forthcoming books. It’s been a bumpy road for sure, but I’m sooo proud of you for persevering. You deserve every success coming your way.

    Hope you’re having a blast at the film festival. Huge hugs! xxx

  44. Maureen, what a story! Your books sound really wonderful. The reward will be all the sweeter because of your journey, too. Enjoy the moment, and congratulations!

    And come do a guest post on The Naked Hero (http://thenakedhero.com )! We’d love to help you pump up your books!!!

  46. Rae Ann and Cindy

    Thanks about the covers. I like them too. But those are the covers from the old publisher… The new publisher has other ideas, to make them more historical looking and using real live models, I think. I’ve only seen early mock ups, but I’m hoping the new covers will be even better. 🙂

    Kwana, Abby, Shelley, Robin, Kari Lee, Marilyn, Mary, Shea

    I’m so lucky to have supportive people like you in my life. 🙂 And to all the 2010 Unsinkables and ‘007 Bond Girls — I’m so honored to be in your number. 🙂

  48. The Little Matchstick Girl. I have no idea why I loved such a sad fairy tale! I’m sure my new favorite fairy tales will be your books! 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading them with Claire.

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