So I've spent the weekend sending out emails withdrawing Notes from wherever it was still under consideration: not that many places, in fact, but it has to be done, regardless. One of the editors replied, essentially making a play for the book. I'm flattered, of course, but I don't think it'd be right to pull away from the other press at this point.
It's perplexing: for two years I couldn't throw the book at anyone. I mean, that's an exaggeration: it was a finalist several times, was accepted briefly, so it's not like it was repudiated at every turn. But it began to feel that way.
So I began to think, am I making the right decision? But I know I am.
About Me
- Paul
- Paul Guest is the author of four volumes of poetry and a memoir. His debut, The Resurrection of the Body and the Ruin of the World, was awarded the 2002 New Issues Poetry Prize. His second collection, Notes for My Body Double, was awarded the 2006 Prairie Schooner Book Prize. His third collection, My Index of Slightly Horrifying Knowledge, was published by Ecco Press/HarperCollins in 2008. His fourth collection, Because Everything Is Terrible, was published by Diode Editions. His poems have appeared in Harper's, The Paris Review, Poetry, Tin House, The Kenyon Review, and elsewhere. His memoir, One More Theory About Happiness, was published by Ecco in May 2010 and selected for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program. The recipient of a 2011 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2007 Whiting Writers' Award, Guest lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.
9 comments:
I have the same problem. Not with my manuscript, but with milk. I buy a carton, then find a similar but equally reputable milk being offered in another store for a competative price.
What about with bread? Eggs?
Often with bread; never with eggs. Sent my manuscript to Tupelo's $35 open reading in July. $35! What the hell...I finaled twice there, my manuscript is as good as it's gonna get. Sent to Barrow St., Pavement Saw, and Ausable as well, plus I'm a finalist at Four Way. I feel it's now or never for this thing. Often with eggs; never with bread.
I had made up mind I was going to submit to Tupelo as well, but I'm glad to save that check now. For whatever reasons, I've missed sending to Tupelo most every time. I think I've sent there once. Maybe twice. Something always made me miss their deadline.
I am glad that I came across your site
Glad you're glad, David!
Sometimes I think it's now or never with my manuscript, and then I get worried that if those are my choices. . .but yeesh, I'm getting old here ;)
Paul, congratulations! I'm catching up on all my blog reading today and am very glad to hear that "Notes" found a home. I'm curious to hear which press once you're able to say.
i'm late too, but congratulations, paul. :)
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