Monday, December 12, 2011

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Those of you who know me personally -- and, I think, other readers of this blog as well -- know that I am a writer. I usually have one or more writing projects going at any given time. Right now I've got a novel and a short story out on submission, and as of this morning I can add to the list a personal essay about parenting a child who wants to die.

I first started this essay last spring, wrestled with it for a few months, and ultimately crafted 9.5K words, every single one of which I loved. My writing group read a couple of drafts, and they loved it, too. But it was really too long for most journals and magazines. So last week I took out the metaphorical machete and slashed 6,000 words. Ouch. But you know what? Now I love it even more. And this morning I submitted it to a major, major women's magazine (circulation 4 gazillion) in the hopes that they will love it, too.


The odds are certainly against me. But the odds always are sucky when you're a writer. Publishing is not for the faint of heart. I've had a good deal of success at it, but far more rejections than acceptances, that's for sure. Yet I have a feeling about this essay. I think it's my best work yet. So if Major, Major, Magazine rejects it, maybe Major Magazine will take it. and if not, there's always Minor Magazine, waiting in the wings.

I think I'm not narcissistic when I say, The Story of Raising Benjy is a story that needs to be told. Did you know that suicide is the third-leading cause of death in young people aged 10-14?. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org) estimates that each year in the U.S., approximately 2,000 children and adolescents complete suicide -- and of course, many thousands more contemplate ending their lives. Although it’s a problem on the rise, there is not much public discussion about children and suicide.

I hope my writing, in this blog and elsewhere, breaks open some of that silence.

5 comments:

  1. Personally, I loved all 9.5 thousand words, but am equally sure I will love it at 3.5 thousand words, too. It is a beautiful essay and Major, Major Magazine would be making a huge mistake to reject it. Cheers!

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  2. Fingers crossed that Major, Major will recognize your artistry as well as your motherly devotion. Good Luck.

    P.S. Hopefully it won't be necessary, but there's always the self-publishing route as noted in this Wall Street Journal article from last Friday.

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204770404577082303350815824.html?KEYWORDS=self+publishing

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  3. P.P.S. If they do publish it, make sure you try to keep the electronic rights. ;-)

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  4. Fingers crossed!! Your writing is incredible.

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  5. Thanks so much, Andrew's Mom!!

    Papa, I've thought about electronic publishing, although so far I've only published in the traditional way. I considered it for the personal essay, and if it doesn't sell I will probably go ahead and do it. Thanks for checking in!

    Anon, you rock! Thanks for your support.

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