The ABC's of Conflict Resolution: An Open Letter to My Publisher
Dear Janis,
As you'll notice, I've posted on my blog the first three "chapters" of the ABC's -- due out from Janis Publications under the more genteel title "A" is for Donkey in July.
Not meaning to compare myself to one of the greatest writers of all-time -- Charles Dickens -- other than in our mutual need for reader recognition, I'm hoping you will find that the "serialization" of the ABC's will encourage readers to buy it rather than discouraging them from doing so. As you'll remember,
[a]ll of Dickens' novels made their first appearance in serial form. Nine came out in monthly installments: Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, Martin Chuzzlewit, Dombey and Son, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, Our Mutual Friend, and The Mystery of Edwin Rood. Five were composed for weekly serialization: The Old Curiosity Shop and Barnaby Rudge in Master Humphrey's Clock; Hard Times in Household Words; and A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations in All the Year Round. . . . Oliver Twist appeared in the monthly issues of Bentley's Miscellany, which Dickens was editing at the time. Although he took up the weekly form with the intention of getting into more frequent correspondence with his readers, Dickens never ceased to fret under the restrictions of tailoring his narrative into briefer segments; and indeed, with Hard Times he returned to the practice of blocking out his stories as if for monthly installments. Thus, the novelist's preferred and characteristic method was that of monthly serialization, calling, as he said, for "the large canvas and the big brushes."
Simply put, as a writer of installment novels who invited reader comments as he wrote, Charles Dickens may have been the first blogger for whom instant gratification was also "too slow."
We don't, however, have to return to Victorian England for serialization precedent. Tom Wolfe's phenomenal best-seller The Bonfire of the Vanities was serialized in 27 installments in Rolling Stone magazine starting in 1984. The novel was a bestseller and a phenomenal success, even in comparison with Wolfe's other books. Although it was thereafter made into one of the most dreadful movies of all time, we cannot blame that failure on the serial form the novel originally took.
Now that I've compared myself to two of my favorite authors, I will have to display a little humility. Unless I can merge blogging with book writing, I don't think this book will be ready this July, this summer, this fall or next winter. I think I'm only going to get it written if I do it this way.
I hope that's alright with you! The book itself will be better written (there are editors and publishers for a reason) ; far better illustrated; and, will make a fabulous gift for any friend, neighbor, co-worker, or mother-in-law the impulse-Borders'-buyer has in mind when they first see the ABC's irresistibly offering itself at the check-out stand.
I'm also hoping to convince you that the word "Asshole" will draw more customers than it will repel. But that's why I'm in contact with readers. I'm certain they'll tell me.
All best to you and your lovely husband Ray,
Vickie
