Circa 1932: Mae West (1892 – 1980) in her prime, an American leading lady and the archetypal sex symbol who was vulgar, mocking, overdressed and endearing. She wrote her own dialogue which was full of double entendre. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
My cyber-friend Vera Marie Badertscher blogs at A Traveler’s Library.
She recently published a book about the life and legacy of Navajo artist Quincy Tahoma.
Vera Marie Badertscher gave me permission to share a bit of literary insight she got from a friend:
A good friend just found out accidentally that her book was out of print.
She had written to her publisher to ask for a copy for a reviewer and was told they had no more books to send out because it was out of print.
They had not bothered to inform her, or give her the right to buy remaining copies, even though that is in the contract.
(Of course now she is looking in to how she gets her rights back so she can republish on her own.)
Another friend replied with the story of how she had labored for a year on a rather complex book, under a contract to a University Press.
The Press recently got new editors and they took advantage of the cancellation clause in the contract.
She had a backup plan lined up.
Her comment: “I treat publishers the way Mae West treated men… ‘NEXT!'”
Love this!
You almost have to in this day and age. There are a few good ones out there, but definitely quite a few dysfunctional houses, too. I guess that pretty much describes men, too.
Great quote. Writers need to be entrepreneurs these days and very good at saying…NEXT.
I also think the secret to survival in our profession is to have MANY projects in the works … to keep from getting too attached to any given one. Being prolific and persistent are key.
In other words Don’t marry your project.
Glad you all liked this, but I deserve NO credit. Don’t know if the person who told me this wanted to be quoted, so I’m not mentioning her name but I’m forwarding to her to show she’s appreciated.
How totally inspiring. Although it takes a brave woman to maintain this kind of attitude in such a tough environment. We should all be Mae!