A Little Help From My Friends
My agent wrote the other day and said he wanted me to think about web sites and blog updates. He wants me to get all this up to speed before a big presentation late fall. Some crowd in New York might take a look at the whole package (manuscript, blog, website) to decide if they want to publish Tommy Bibey or not.
I have a couple of thoughts on that. My first one is HELP! I am reminded of the little girl in ‘Gone with the Wind’ who said she didn’t know nothing about birthing no babies. Well, I know very little about publishing, or web sites or blogs either. So, I thought the best place to start on all this would be to ask my readers. If you guys have particular web sites or blogs you think have visual appeal, let me know. I would like to look at them as I enter this next stage of development.
It occurred to me this country doctor is swimming in deep water. I know about birthing babies, but I don’t know nothing about writing no book, or publishing either, so I appreciate any insight you might offer. One thing to keep in mind is this. I don’t have enough political capital in the literary world to issue any ultimatums, but in the process I don’t want to change who Tommy Bibey is. For that matter, I can’t. When Flatt and Scruggs went to Carnegie Hall, they played bluegrass music. They ain’t a thing wrong with classical, but they couldn’t be that all of a sudden and neither can I. You have to be what you is.
Also, I want to reassure you of one thing. I promised you a book, and there will be a book. The more involvement I have with folks who know what they are doing the better, because I think it will be a much better book for the process. But, if all the publishers turn me down, I’ll self publish. However, I believe the book will better than if I had self published without the benefit of the process of maturation as a writer. (I’ve still got a ways to go.)
So, if you see things you think might dress up Tommy Bibey a bit (I realize that is a tall order) let me know. I’d like to scope ’em out and so would my agent. Like everyone else in the world, if I’m gonna make it, I’ll need a little help from my friends.
Dr. B
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
August 14, 2008 at 9:54 am
I have to admit that the first image that came to my mind was the Beverly Hillbillies and Jethrene who was Jethro’s sister. Then I smiled when I thought about Dr. B in a dress playing the mandolin. I know that is not what you meant. But, that is what I saw!
August 14, 2008 at 10:17 am
Ms. Cindy,
I need every idea I can get. I am afraid my bony ole chicken legs would scare ’em off though!
I am confident a mandolin will have to play into the visuals. Not only do I play one, but the book is called “The Mandolin Case.” By the way, I think that might be the first time I have told the title on the blog, so Ms. Cindy heard it here first.
Dr. B
August 14, 2008 at 10:41 am
Your blog is a web site. The characteristic of major web sites is often an emphasis on images and flashing lights, neither of which I gather you want. As long as you seek to keep you anonymity, you don’t want oodles of pictures. If a publisher agrees to actually put out your book, then they’ll have a merchandising arm for you to work within. As long as you’re Dr. Bibey, then it seems to me you’re in the right format. It’s not hard to find Dr. B for people who want to experience his writing and get to know his character. Web sites suggest something else. Has your agent suggested sites that feature other pseudonymous writers who keep their pen names as models for you? – Ted
August 14, 2008 at 10:53 am
Ted,
He has suggested some of these. He also likes the idea of input from readers to see what suggestions they have.
You are right. I don’t want too many bells and whistles, and yet I want the blog to look modern enough to appeal to a publisher. We have just started the process to try and decide how much change in the way the blog looks might be in order.
Dr. B
August 14, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Doc, all I can offer is encouragement. I’m unpublished. I know no one in the business. I’m a pretty decent proofreader, but that’s all I’ve got. Sorry. If the Universe puts something in my path, I’ll make sure you know about it.
August 14, 2008 at 6:12 pm
mrschili,
Just the knowledge you are in the wings and will correct my goofy grammar with diplomacy makes me breathe easier. You and the English Professor were among the first to convince me I might be able to write a story someone would read.
Dr. B
August 14, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Dr. B. I like design… and am not too bad (see my own blog for my design abilities) Thats an original concept and design..
August 15, 2008 at 11:55 am
I should send you something in email. It’s an interview with an agent and what they look for, including the setting yourself up online. I think I might. But I have to remember where I stored it on my computer first. 🙂
August 15, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Pande,
If you run across it, I’d love to see it. If it is O.K. I will forward it to my agent. I got a lot of traffic on this subject and I can see I am going to have to let him sort out what I need to do.
Dr. B
August 15, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Ms. Amber,
Yours is indeed excellent. I am gonna forward a bunch of this to my agent- I got a lot of e-mail from folks wanting to design things, so I guess I’ll leave it up to him.
Dr. B
August 15, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Dr. B. We came up with a mach up design for you in the middle of the night… Im gonna email it to you…. Hope you love it. I do..
August 17, 2008 at 8:34 am
Hey,
If Pandemonic ends you that interview, pass it on to me, will you? I’d love to read it.
Susan
August 17, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Ms. Amber,
Cool. I’ll forward it on to the boss.
Dr. B
August 17, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Ms. Susan,
Sure enough. Will clear it with Ms. Pande first, but I am sure it would be O.K. with her. Haven’t seen it yet- she may not have found it.
Dr. B