How Lisa Genova Slew the Publishing Dragon

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Yesterday's Entertainment section of Time.com features the article "Books Unbound" (by Chris Jackson/Getty). The story starts with a true Cinderella-like parable about unknown author Lisa Genova's novel Still Alice.

Unable to interest an agent or publishing house in the novel, Lisa finally forked over $450 and had iUniverse publish it. Like Cinderella, Lisa's story has a happy ending.

"Genova wound up getting an agent after all," writes Jackson, "and an offer from Simon & Schuster of just over half a million dollars. Borders and Target chose it for their book clubs. Barnes & Noble made it a Discover pick. On Jan. 25, Still Alice will make its debut on the New York Times best-seller list at No. 5."

I have a friend in Denver who has a similarly amazing story - a self-published book picked up by a major publishing house for an outrageously obscene amount of money.

What's interesting about these stories is the light they cast on the contradictory transformations happening within the publishing industry.

Never before has publication seemed like such a daunting challenge.

Never before have writers had not only "the power of the pen" at their fingertips, but can now wield the mighty power of the electronic sword.

Read more about Genova's incredible story, the current state of the publishing industry and why 2009 may be an empowering year for authors in Time's online article, "Books Unbound."
An advisor for the Rocky Mountain Land Library and member of the International League of Conservation Writers, Page Lambert has been writing about the western landscape and leading nature retreats in the West for twenty years. Founding member of Women Writing the West, member of Wyoming Writers and Colorado Authors’ League, Lambert’s writing can be found inside monumental sculptures at the Denver Art Museum, online at Huffington Post, and inside the pages of dozens of anthologies. Page designs and teaches graduate writing courses for the University of Denver’s University College. Recent published works include “Not for Sale” (Langscape Magazine and “The Rural West,” included in Fulcrum’s new book, The Light Shines from the West. Forthcoming are 3 poems in DoveTails: Writing for Peace. Page writes All Things Literary/All Things Natural from her mountain home west of Denver.

Comments

Anonymous said…
The Time piece is fascinating! I've written about ten chapters of a novel, and I found the article inspiring too. Thanks for passing on the word about it!
January 22, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Anonymous said…
Yes, Kathleen, the Times piece was fascinating. Good luck with your novel!
January 22, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Anonymous said…
Page, thanks for letting us (BMW) know about the Time piece. I learned so much, not necessarily what I wanted to hear. It's a whole new world out there, and one I need to adapt to.

Kathy Kaiser
January 22, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Anonymous said…
Kathy, I'm glad the link to the Times article was helpful. We all need to adapt. The important thing is to look for new opportuniites as the industry recreates itself.
January 22, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Gail Storey said…
Page, thanks for your post with your thoughts about the Times piece. I learned a lot from both, concise takes on what's happening in publishing now and the bursts of fresh opportunities. My first two novels were published the old school way, and I'm working on another, as well as an outrageous memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with my husband. By the way, I really like your website and blog for your insights about nature and people.
--Gail Storey
January 23, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Anonymous said…
I find it really encouraging to hear about publishing success stories like these. They give me hope that my own novel will get published! ...now, I just need to finish it!!!
January 24, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Anonymous said…
Reading publishing success stories like these really encourages me...and gives me hope that my novel will someday find a publisher. (If I finish writing it that is!)
January 24, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Anonymous said…
Gail, thanks for visiting. Your "outrageous memoir" about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with your husband sounds great. Good luck with it!
January 26, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Laurel, never give up hope. If you haven't already made a mock-up of the book jacket as you dream it might be, do! Everytime you get discouraged, it will be there to spur you on.
January 26, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Anonymous said…
Hi

I found you via a Still Alice search and so glad I did.
March 6, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Esther, I'm glad you found me too! Thanks for leaving a comment.
March 6, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Anonymous said…
TImes they are a changin'. The good stuff will find its way to the top.
March 16, 2009 at 11:48 PM
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