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Contents
Acknowledgments
I. LOOKING IN
- THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT Is
Hope Necessary? / The Ethics of Encouragement / Honest Reassurance /
The Meaning of Hope
- AFD SYNDROME Nerves are Normal
/ Frustration Happens / Before Drinking Hemlock
- DEALING WITH DISCOURAGERS
Discouragers / Projectors / Enviers / Goads / The Ashes of Success
- EXORCISING EXCUSES I Don’t Have
Enough Time / I’m Not Talented Enough / I Hardly Ever Get Inspired / I
Didn’t Study Writing / I’m The Wrong Age / I’m Too Afraid I’ll Fail
II. LOOKING OUT
- RITES OF REJECTION An
Occupational Hazard / Recycling Rejection / Rejection Hubris / Why Did
They Have to Publish My Book? / The Vagaries of Rejection
- THE PUBLISHING TRIBE Why
Publishing Resembles High School / The Writing Way, The Publishing Way
/ Tribal Customs / Territoriality / Matters of Taste
- BETTING ON BOOKS Shooting Craps
/ Conventional Wisdom, Publishing Division / We Just Can’t See It /
That Won’t Sell! / Rhymes and Reasons / Categorical Imperatives
III. BEYOND FRUSTRATION
- ENCOURAGERS Family / Teachers /
Mentors / Colleagues / Agents / Editors / Readers
- KEEPING HOPE ALIVE Create a
Consolation file / Study Acknowledgments / Attend Courses and
Conferences / Group / Bone up / Be Professional / Go easy on yourself
/ Be Tactical / Indulge Dubious Motives / Get Busy on Your Own Behalf
- THE BEST OF TIMES Chicken Soup
for Small Press Dummies / In the Tradition of Thoreau / E-Publishing /
The Safety Net
- THE HOPEFUL WRITER Divers / The
Common Thread / No Ex-Writers / The Joy of Writing / Spit in the Face
of Despair
Notes
Further Reading
Index
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