Old Legends photos/tablebook

[Pookiestoop]

I wrote a manuscript in 2004 on behalf of my dying mom, a sort of table book slash memoir about hoW she used to chase and "shoot" famous film and theater stars in the 1950's in New York, she is a S. Bronx native. I have had many rejects from agents one of which said the book was "hard to place." I find that hard to believe when there are lots of current cleeb books written by the people who photograph them. I recently thought about turning the book into fiction but I also want to incorporate the photos into them. I am wondering if the latter would be a good idea or not.; fiction book with celeb photos. Thanks.

[Shweta]

My first two thoughts are --
1) I don't think I've ever seen something like that. Would you write a story where the photographs were part of the story proper?
2) Wouldn't it be easier to work on your query and possibly line-edit your manuscript some than to fictionalize the whole thing? My sense is that "hard to place" could just be a generic excuse when the publisher is not totally wowed.

[Use Her Name]

Actually, I think it would be a really good read if you stuck with the non-fiction about your mom as a paparazzo. If these are never-before seen photos of 50's movie stars it has value already. I think you need to keep looking for a publisher, because the idea is not any worse or better than any other I've seen published.

Oh, hey the way Laura Hildebrant (sp?) got Seabiscuit published is she wrote a long article for American Heritage magazine and handed in a book proposal at the same time. This sounds like something in that range. Why not condense it and use it as an article for a prestigious Americana magazine like that, and write up a book proposal based on the article.

It seems like a fascinating subject. I just think you might want to get creative with your marketing.

[windyrdg]

I know memiors are a tarnished genre right now, but that might be another way to go. If you can emphasize some quirky habits your mother had...ie: carried the camera everwhere she went, even to church; once crouched on a fire escape at night to catch Cary Grant leaving a nightclub...so on. Building the story around her personality and determination might help its saleability.

There are always retro photo books being published. If the quality of her pictures is good, someone ought to be interested in them.

Good Luck

[ACEnders]

Actually, I think it would be a really good read if you stuck with the non-fiction about your mom as a paparazzo. If these are never-before seen photos of 50's movie stars it has value already. I think you need to keep looking for a publisher, because the idea is not any worse or better than any other I've seen published.

Oh, hey the way Laura Hildebrant (sp?) got Seabiscuit published is she wrote a long article for American Heritage magazine and handed in a book proposal at the same time. This sounds like something in that range. Why not condense it and use it as an article for a prestigious Americana magazine like that, and write up a book proposal based on the article.

It seems like a fascinating subject. I just think you might want to get creative with your marketing.

I agree! I love the idea of it being non-fiction. I think it's such an beautiful tribute to your mother, and I think that once you find the right publisher, it'll be a wonderful book.

[jannawrites]

Yep, I echo Use Her Name and ACEnders. Keep with it, Pookiestoop. And good luck!

[MrWrite]

That's a wonderful idea Pookiestoop. I hope you get someone to publish it.

[DWSTXS]

I agree! I love the idea of it being non-fiction. I think it's such an beautiful tribute to your mother, and I think that once you find the right publisher, it'll be a wonderful book.


I agree with this. It sounds like a great idea. I hope you get it published.

[Pookiestoop]

I appreciate all of your comments. Yeap, mom actually kept her camera and bag on her at all times except when she slept or bathed. My sibling and I were not allowed to touch her beloved photos or "treasures" as she called them. I often teased mom that she was a "stalker" or "papparazzi", but as I learned about her life I recognize that she came from an old breed of misfits and outcasts who turned their attention to the very people they revered. So yea, I will keep it non-fiction and forge ahead. I can't thank you all enough for your kind sentiments and commments.
By the way, Mother+Dementia stinks. All the best P

[Seif]

Yeap, mom actually kept her camera and bag on her at all times except when she slept or bathed. My sibling and I were not allowed to touch her beloved photos or "treasures" as she called them. I often teased mom that she was a "stalker" or "papparazzi", but as I learned about her life I recognize that she came from an old breed of misfits and outcasts who turned their attention to the very people they revered.

Wow!

Have you thought about writing it in first person about you and how you saw your mother both as a 'stalker' and as 'your mom'?

How she influenced you and others around you. What you thought of her. The trials she faced. The effects it had on the industry etc. I like the idea of there being a little gang of wannabe paparzzi as it provides an extraordinary insight into the history of one of the most enduring and controversial entertainment enterprises going today as we are all so celeb obsessed (well not all!)

This sounds like a real heart rendering story that I would love to read.

[Pookiestoop]

Yeap, I am looking into keeping with non-fiction where I imagine my mom's past in the book since I only know so much of it. And from what mom told me her "stalker" friends were all charcaters! I guess I will combine her past as I imagine it and her future. Something like that, but I will take what was mentioned into consideration.

Good eye, thank you. :e2coffee:

[Danger Jane]

I definitely agree that there's a place for your story--most likely one with photos attached. Keep looking!