... the other Black experience
In the 90s I was the drummer of the Philly punk rock group THORAZINE.
Because of the pharmecutical giant threatening to sue us for infringing on
their trademarked name, we were all over the news. Time, Newsweek, Rolling
Stone, etc. From that exposure, we were signed to a little LA label and go to
tour the US & Canada coast to coast 5times. 2 full length CD releases,
TV appearances, basically hadda blast! I kept a tour journal during
these escapades. Had it online way back when and people who read it, thought
it was the funniest crap they'd ever read and that I should look into getting
it published. I submitted and a reputable NY publisher's initial responses to
my manuscript were very positive. They didn't want to see a synopsis, they wanted
to see the whole shebang. Then, outta nowhere, I got a rejection-letter and my
manuscript back. The only way my book could see the light of day, was if we
were famous and the public had some interest/connection to us. Without that. .
.
Then I was given the idea by a local poet, that I should rewrite it from the standpoint of being a
black man touring the country and Canada in a punk rock band. What it was like from THAT perspective. I even hadda working title of "The only chocolate chip on the cookie" Need another set of eyes to look over this thing to help me re-write it with a slant towards the black experience versus a simple re-telling of tour stories by a band nobody heard of. How can I generate interest in someone co-writing this with me? Any suggestions (positive or negative) are welcome?
Permalink Reply by Amadaneus on
How long of a story do you want to tell? What kind of tone do you want it to have, funny or should it have bite? Who do you want to read it?
Anyway, sounds like you have a really fly story on your hands.
Permalink Reply by Dallas on These are great questions that I didn't even consider. Thanks in advance for your insights. This is what makes collaboration so important. Another set of eyes never hurts. Well, I'd like it to be humorous of course. I want to aim it at mainstream readers. To keep it focused on a niche market, could limit its ability to really take off.
Permalink Reply by Amadaneus on Have you read any other books like the one you want to make? Not saying that you should rip off anyone, but if you can learn new ways to express your story from peepin someone elses technique. You should also definitely check out Paul Beatty's work. He might have some good vibes for you.
Got any stuff written for your book so far? And where can folks listen to some of your music?
Dallas said:
These are great questions that I didn't even consider. Thanks in advance for your insights. This is what makes collaboration so important. Another set of eyes never hurts. Well, I'd like it to be humorous of course. I want to aim it at mainstream readers. To keep it focused on a niche market, could limit its ability to really take off.
© 2013 Created by Matthew.
|
