Recording History XVI - Publishing Setback

By Richard S. Lowry

As those of you who have been following my progress already know, I have been working on my book proposal for NEW DAWN in recent weeks. Ten days ago, I received bad news.

After putting together a large proposal, I sent it to my literary agent who forwarded it to the people who published MARINES IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN, Berkley Caliber, New York. They spent several weeks before responding. They have declined to publish NEW DAWN at this time. They told my agent that “it is not big enough.” She inquired and they added that they didn’t think the market was big enough.

I spent the last week with my head in the toilet. I don’t write about the war for the money, but I have to survive. I am very disappointed that so many Americans refuse to pay attention to a war that will affect their future. I am disappointed that the American media would rather talk about celebrity babies than works of historical significance. (FoxNews, the “fair and balanced” channel won’t even respond to my correspondence). I am disappointed that the entire book publishing industry does nothing to promote books that tell the real story of what is happening in the war.

Yet, I have a duty to the brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who risk their lives daily. I must tell their story. I will continue with this project. I will not succumb to public disinterest. I WILL tell their story.

I sent out my proposal too early. Money is getting tight in the Lowry household. I had hoped that I would get an advance to tide us over while I finished the book. I was certain that Berkley would pick up NEW DAWN. So, I sent it out with no writing sample. “Why should I?” I reasoned, “They have read my entire last book.” My agent insisted that I add a writing sample. So, I finished the introductory chapter and included it in the proposal.

That was a fatal error. I am trying to sell NEW DAWN as the story of the men and women who fought the battle of Fallujah, but there were no people in chapter one.

I have learned that I cannot rush the publishing process. I should listen to the Marines who fought in Fallujah. “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” I have decided to start my proposal over. I am currently working furiously to complete the stories of several of the heroes of the fight; Jeremiah Workman, Todd Desgrosseilliers, Christopher Adlesperger, and Jason Arellano. I will put their interlocking stories together, actually write the chapter, update my proposal and then I will have to start the search for a new publisher.

Now I must redouble my efforts to get back on track. I may be off the net for a while. I need to devote all my energies to the book. Thank you all for your support in the past.

Richard S. Lowry is the author of Marines in the Garden of Eden and The Gulf War Chronicles.

June 4, 2008 06:05 AM Recording the history of Fallujah

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Comments

I have enjoyed your work here. I hope you come back, and please stay in touch. Looking forward to the new book.

Herschel Smith · June 4, 2008 07:10 AM

GO GET 'EM. The story needs to be told!

LtCol P · June 4, 2008 07:20 AM

Mr. Lowry -

Hang in there. Don't quit. You do good work. Your work will be recognized in the end.

Doug Santo
Pasadena, CA

Doug Santo · June 4, 2008 07:27 AM

Keep your head up and good luck. Your book is not needed simply as the story of the warfighters, but also for the historical record it will provide.

Keep us posted as time permits.

bullnav · June 4, 2008 08:33 AM

Keep going Richard. Best wishes.

thebronze · June 4, 2008 09:19 AM

I recall Billy Joel saying once in an interview that it took a musician most of his life to come up with an album that was marketable, and yet then they were expected to come up with another one within 12 months...

There must be something similar with writing. Hope things come through for you.

Wilbur · June 4, 2008 09:57 AM

Keep after it! And I think you are right about submitting a chapter with stories of the warriors. That is what makes your work special, for in the end, they are the ones that win the battles. Best of luck.

pjh · June 4, 2008 05:45 PM

Richard,
Hang tough brother!

Your story and the way you tell it deserve to be out there, in time I know the publishers will come around!

Marine's viewpoint is the right way to go. Drive on.

Brad

Brad · June 5, 2008 02:44 AM

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I have accepted a consulting job on Long Island, NY. So, I will be making slow progress on NEW DAWN in the evenings and on weekends.

The good news is that I will be having money coming in again.

Semper Fidelis!

Richard Lowry · June 5, 2008 07:57 AM

You're a terrific writer. I've been reading military history for decades. We most definately need a "Keegan" for our time and for the lads and lasses that will save us. Keep at it. You get it printed, you know I'll buy a copy.

Semper Fi,

LtCol C

LtCol C (0302) USMC (Ret) · June 5, 2008 08:28 AM

Richard,

Why not think about selling the book chapter by chapter on Amazon? Then offer the buyer an autographed copy of the completed work at a discount when you are done?

Good luck

Tom '79

Tom Wilson · June 5, 2008 03:22 PM

I have been looking forward in reading your book. I'm sorry to hear the trouble you are having with it. I understand where you are coming from. It is people like that that makes us not want to tell our story of heroism. I do hope things get back in track. My God bless you and your family.

Juan Rubio · July 30, 2008 05:18 AM

I have hundreads of pictures from the attack, I was a Amtracker attached to 3/1 marines, the fact that you are writing this book means a lot to us. A lot of people I talk to dont know how bad that city was to take. If you want me to send you some of my favorite pictures just let me know.

Hang with the book it will do great!

Semper FI
SGT Jarvis
USMC

Jarvis · August 7, 2008 08:42 AM

Sir:

Former Company Commander of Apache, 2d LAR during this battle here. Sorry to hear about the surface you hit, hope you find the gap to exploit and keep moving. You interviewed me about a year ago. I have since PCS'd and unfortunately lost all my contacts when tranferring. This is a big month of reflection for my Marines and me. If I can offer any more stories, pictures, details, clarifications, etc, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be interested in maintaining contact with you regardless. Hope to hear from you.

Semper Fidelis!

john.f.griffin1@usmc.mil
irishusmc3@gmail.com
griffin@fas.harvard.edu

Major John Griffin · November 12, 2008 06:58 PM