Posted by Eric Abraham on July 09, 2002 at 13:23:49 from 199.240.138.87 user EricAbraham.
In Reply to: Re: Books - size & wordcount posted by Prue Eckett on July 08, 2002 at 21:56:30:
"Sadly, the reading public only gets what publishers decide, and unrealistic ideas about 'what children want/like' are as prevalent in literary circles as anywhere else."
Oh, so true!! Several years ago I illustrated a small book of poems for pre-school children that a friend in the Bronx wrote. We had several copies color Xeroxed and made into a small book. The 30 or 40 copies were enthusiasticly recieved by all that saw them. I had made porcelain plaques that illustrated the poems, also, which have been in several exhibits and were, again, well recieved along with the book. I took the book to a friend in NYC that had all the proper connections with all the big and small publishers. After ten months, she returned the book and said that they all told her that they "were not taking any new authors at this time". That is the way it goes - a real Catch 22 - either you are established or you are not -- even with or in spite of "connections". I have since had the book re-color Xeroxed (better quality) and will have it in a show at the Kansas State University Art Museum with an original drawing and accompanying Porcelain Plaque. I feel that the "real" public will still like it.
Was it any "easier" for Mr. Ransome when he started writing his books? I doubt it.