My mother's memoir.

[Notablegnome]

My 86 year old mother, writing as Eleanor Eadie, completed her Kindle eBook memoir last week. It is titled: 'Memories of a Children's Convalescent Home 1947-49.' It has taken twenty years of annual email critique sessions to bring the project to a finish. My mother did receive an approach from an agent early on, but the agent wanted my mother to make things up and create a kind of horror story. My mother was upset and mothballed the memoir for a period. Then this year we collaborated again and suddenly the editing was over. The book is not shock-lit, thankfully. It is a very moving account of her life back when she was ten years old and it is her way to say thank you to nurses who saved her life when she was taken far from home to a hospital for children. It is also an insight into a previous age.

I have one question, which is this. Although my mother is reluctant to approach agents again she is not entirely against the idea. She asked me to find out whether publishing an eBook reduces its viability if an approach to an agent was made? Those who have read it so far, mainly librarians and retired teachers and head-teachers, have been very forthright in their praise. If it remains just an eBook then she says that is fine, because it is a very personal work.

 

[Maryn]

If it's available in ebook form at a place that sells ebooks, it's already published (even if it's free). While on occasion an agent will represent an already-published book for a trade publishing deal for print, that's really rare. For the most part, agents want never-published work and won't consider something self-published in any form.

Maybe instead of an agent, she should see if there are ways she can promote it to its most likely audience.

 

[mccardey]

I have one question, which is this. Although my mother is reluctant to approach agents again she is not entirely against the idea. She asked me to find out whether publishing an eBook reduces its viability if an approach to an agent was made? Those who have read it so far, mainly librarians and retired teachers and head-teachers, have been very forthright in their praise. If it remains just an eBook then she says that is fine, because it is a very personal work.

It is so hard to get memoirs trade published that I'm inclined to say let that idea slip away. On the other hand, I do believe memoirs (especially the non-shock ones that your mum seems to have in mind) are extremely valuable pieces of history. Your mum is probably of the last generation whose work isn't automatically saved through social media, which will give it more value in the future than most of the tiktokery that is going to be prevalent. I agree with Maryn that if it's been published in ebook form, it's already lost its first rights - which is fine, because you have people reading it and valuing it as it is - but I'm a big believer in our elders putting their stories out now because those are the stories that will be lost. Not everyone over the age of 70 knows how to write and preserve their history, pretty much everyone under 40 does. There's a gap there that I hope will be filled. I'm glad your mum wrote hers - I'd love to read it.

 

[Notablegnome]

If it's available in ebook form at a place that sells ebooks, it's already published (even if it's free). While on occasion an agent will represent an already-published book for a trade publishing deal for print, that's really rare. For the most part, agents want never-published work and won't consider something self-published in any form.

Maybe instead of an agent, she should see if there are ways she can promote it to its most likely audience.

Thank you for your advice, Maryn. That takes the pressure off my mother. She is not happy with any wholesale editing or writing towards the fashions of the day. She wants people to read it who have some connection to the subject. For instance the company that provides her care has taken an interest and a number of retired teachers and nurses have downloaded it. She can receive messages of support from people she knows or on messages forums with members who are historians and the like, particularly on The Wirral Peninsula where the events in the memoir took place.. I use to publish my poems in poetry magazines back in the day and there is something very special about being read closely by a small but committed number of readers. Thank you again.

 

[Notablegnome]

It is so hard to get memoirs published that I'm inclined to say let that idea slip away. On the other hand, I do believe memoirs (especially the non-shock ones that your mum seems to have in mind) are extremely valuable pieces of history. Your mum is probably of the last generation whose work isn't automatically saved through social media, which will give it more value in the future than most of the tiktokery that is going to be prevalent. I agree with Maryn that if it's been published in ebook form, it's already lost its first rights - which is fine, because you have people reading it and valuing it as it is - but I'm a big believer in our elders putting their stories out now because those are the stories that will be lost. Not everyone over the age of 70 knows how to write and preserve their history, Pretty much everyone under 40 does. There's a gap there that I hope will be filled. I'm glad your mum wrote hers - I'd love to read it.

Thank you McCardey. It puts my mind at rest that memoirs are hard to publish. It also explains why the agent years ago was steering my mother towards Horror. She is glad she has completed the work and we are promoting the book in small ways to interested groups. My brother-in-law intends to have the book printed in some hardback way as a family heirloom, which is nice.

My mother is excited about the completion and also the fact that she did not give up. I think we all have works that are our favourite Mss., but they are ones that we know in our hearts are not commercial. It is the finishing of them that brings a deep peace of mind. Thank you again.

 

[Maryn]

I'm always excited when a writer pushes through the difficulties and does not give up. Tell you mother we admire her fortitude.

 

[Catriona Grace]

Good for your mom. Completing a book is a major accomplishment.

 

[Notablegnome]

I'm always excited when a writer pushes through the difficulties and does not give up. Tell you mother we admire her fortitude.

I have passed on your encouragement. Thank you.

 

[Notablegnome]

Good for your mom. Completing a book is a major accomplishment.

It certainly is. Being a short story writer in my small way, I am always amazed that someone can keep focussed for such long distances in words. Thank you Catriona Grace. I have already passed on your comment.

 

[Gramps]

because it is a very personal work.

Tell your mother she comes from a long line of some of the most cherished people of any tribe...the storyteller. They preserved tribal histories and traditions. The integrity of people's history fell upon the storytellers. Thank her for the monumental effort of preserving her childhood experiences.

 

[Tessa95014]

Congratulations to your mother! 20 years is a long time Just reading about her efforts makes me want to read her memoir. Bests of luck!

 

[Notablegnome]

Tell your mother she comes from a long line of some of the most cherished people of any tribe...the storyteller. They preserved tribal histories and traditions. The integrity of people's history fell upon the storytellers. Thank her for the monumental effort of preserving her childhood experiences.

Thank you, Gramps. I have forwarded your message to my mother and she has been thrilled with every response.

What you say is very true. When I was in my twenties, and having written in a rather cloistered way since I was thirteen I happened upon a poetry workshop led by the now well respected anglo-Welsh poet and academic David Annwn Jones. He gave us short lectures on the oral tradition, particularly the Norse sagas, the Welsh heritage such as the legends of Taliesin and also the American tradition, including Ginsberg and the lyrics of Dylan. However our first modest step into the world of poetic and storytelling heritage was taken with a workshop writing riddles. David said the riddle is the essence of the craft of poetry and storytelling because it is a parcel made from language and our role as a reader is to unravel and understand it.

I think I should say also that before my mother began her memoir in her sixties I was alone in the family as someone who took an interest in creative writing. My mother had read classic children's fiction to my brother and sister and I and I believe it was my mother's story reading that inspired me to write. When there is more than one writer in a family it is a very reassuring thing. Thank you again.

 

[Trina]

She is glad she has completed the work and we are promoting the book in small ways to interested groups. My brother-in-law intends to have the book printed in some hardback way as a family heirloom, which is nice.

It is a wonderful achievement to have completed the book, doubly so that your mother didn't compromise it. I applaud her for that. I also think it is important that you at least print some hard copies for your family. But I would go further and self publish printed copies if you can. There are still many people who only read tangible books - I am one of them and would love to read your mother's memoir.
Heartfelt congratulations!

 

[Notablegnome]

Thank you Trina. The next hurdle I must leap in eBooks is learning how to add a paperback version alongside the Kindle version. I am not confident with computers and I never have been, but I feel this is a step I must take for my mother's book. She has poor eyesight now and a Kindle reader employing expanded text is the only kind of book she can read in comfort. I will take your advice and will practice on one of my longer short stories and then convert my mother's memoir applying what I have learned. I will also look toward perfect-bound copies for the long term. There are publishers that offer order and print schemes, as well as those that produce good quality heirloom books, but which might require a family initiative. I will start on Kindle this this week and I will report back when I have managed something. Thank you again.

 

[Notablegnome]

Congratulations to your mother! 20 years is a long time Just reading about her efforts makes me want to read her memoir. Bests of luck!

Thanks Tessa95014.

The title and author is in my signature below.

Thank you again. I am passing on all encouragement to her .

 

[Tessa95014]

Thanks Tessa95014. If I past in a link here do you think it would infringe any rules? There may be a place for external links. Please forgive me if I am crossing a line here.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MEMORIES-CHILDRENS-CONVALESCENT-HOME-1947-49-ebook/dp/B0CCZ18YFX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HZ2PIGKP9NCR&keywords=eleanor+eadie&qid=1691393101&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C310&sr=1-1

Thank you again. I am passing on all encouragement to her .

Not at all! Thank you for sharing Is there a hard copy coming out?

 

[Notablegnome]

Not at all! Thank you for sharing Is there a hard copy coming out?

I have watched a YouTube video explaining the many steps to successfully format for a conversion from digital Kindle to Amazon paperback and it seems achievable as long as I can keep ahead of my gremlins, who know I am accident prone. I will start tomorrow evening. If I can set myself a deadline of Friday this week. Then it takes 24 to 48 hours for Amazon to do their checks. I will report back here if things happen sooner than expected. Thanks Tessa.

 

[Tessa95014]

I have watched a YouTube video explaining the many steps to successfully format for a conversion from digital Kindle to Amazon paperback and it seems achievable as long as I can keep ahead of my gremlins, who know I am accident prone. I will start tomorrow evening. If I can set myself a deadline of Friday this week. Then it takes 24 to 48 hours for Amazon to do their checks. I will report back here if things happen sooner than expected. Thanks Tessa.

Great! Looking forward to reading it

 

[Notablegnome]

Great! Looking forward to reading it

To update you. I have managed to follow the instructions for converting the eBook into a paperback. Amazon are putting the content and cover through their quality control. They will email me if there are any problems, otherwise the paperback should be available on Amazon 72 hours from now. I will report any hold ups. The price will be $6.99. There was no way to reduce the price further without making the cover black and white, which I thought would misrepresent the content. Fingers crossed

 

[mrsmig]

Thanks Tessa95014. If I past in a link here do you think it would infringe any rules? There may be a place for external links. Please forgive me if I am crossing a line here.

Thank you again. I am passing on all encouragement to her .

If you'd like to direct traffic to your mom's book, you can put it in your signature, where it'll show up every time you post here. Posting such a link in-thread is a no-no.

 

[Notablegnome]

If you'd like to direct traffic to your mom's book, you can put it in your signature, where it'll show up every time you post here. Posting such a link in-thread is a no-no.

I'm sorry mrsmig. I'm looking for a way to edit that comment and remove the link but I can't find a way. I will take a look at My Signature and see what is best to do. Thank you for helping me with this.

 

[CMBright]

I'm sorry mrsmig. I'm looking for a way to edit that comment and remove the link but I can't find a way. I will take a look at My Signature and see what is best to do. Thank you for helping me with this.

There should be a button at the bottom of your post that says edit. Click that to edit your post.

 

[Notablegnome]

There should be a button at the bottom of your post that says edit. Click that to edit your post.

Thank you CMBright. I will look there.

 

[Notablegnome]

There should be a button at the bottom of your post that says edit. Click that to edit your post.

Oh. There is a button called Report, but there is no Edit button next to it, as shows on every other comment I have made.

 

[CMBright]

Oh. There is a button called Report, but there is no Edit button next to it, as shows on every other comment I have made.

Weird. It's next to the Report button on my post.