The networking event was sort of a waste. Except that it confirmed something I’ve been thinking about recently: selfpublishing the book WAS a good idea. If I had gone the standard route, the manuscript would still be making the rounds probably.

I show a copy of “100 Spinning Plates” to the literary rep, asking if it would be a good calling-card, an example of my work to show around. He gives it a quick look and then he says, “Oh, yeah … this is really more a marketing thing, I don’t think we’d know what to do with it really. You ought to see the art gallery rep over there or something, this isn’t really something we do.”

What DO publishers want? My favorite line of dialogue from “Schizopolis”:

It should be lengthy enough to seem substantial, yet concise enough to feel breezy. It should be serious … but with a slight wink. It should lay out a new course of action, but one that can change direction at any moment. If you must mention facts and figures, don’t do so directly. The general thrust should remain embedded in one’s mind forever … but specific words should be forgotten the moment they are heard. It should contain nothing that can’t be confirmed or denied. It should be on my desk Friday morning.