Insecure Writers Want to Know
Wouldn’t it be great to have experience to answer this question? My first book-length manuscript is my college memoir, which I’m working on getting published this year. Fingers crossed! I know. I know. It makes it difficult to type that way. But I keep trying!
I’m presently revising a short introduction to the college memoir, explaining that this is my story through college and not my special-needs daughter’s story, although she is a part of this journey. It was suggested that I clarify for the reader exactly whose journey this memoir is.
I open the memoir in scene with my special-needs daughter signing up for her high school courses with the guidance counselor. I was present, as I always was to be sure my daughter wasn’t left behind in her education. This particular scene is the impetus for my attending college at this time in my life. The first three chapters are scenes and backstory about my struggles in education along with my daughter’s struggles. My children and family are in the memoir story for sure, but it is Victoria’s college journey.
It has also been recommended that I send the manuscript to Zibby Books Press, a publisher of women’s stories. The press is “part of Zibby Media, the book-centered ecosystem founded by Zibby Owens,” it says on the website. “Zibby Books publishes one book a month so that every book — and author — gets undivided attention at launch.”
Do you know of this press? You don’t need an agent or any money up front to submit manuscripts. You only need to send a cover letter and the manuscript. I don’t have any more information than that at this time. I’ve checked out some of their books, though. Extremely well-written. I looked at their author bios and how Zibby promotes the books. Zibby is a prolific writer herself and has been interviewed on several podcasts I’ve listened to. I’ll keep you posted how it goes and what I learn.
Please feel free to offer any comment on my intro for my memoir or the information I’ve explained above. I’m always open to any insight you may have, dear IWSG writers. Thank you!
Now I’m off to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my sounding board and advisors on this scary writing and publishing journey.
Thanks for stopping by my little spot on the web. Please come again!
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for February: Jacqui Murray, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Gwen Gardner! Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
Sorry but I haven’t heard of Zibby. Maybe contact some of the authors published through them to see what their experiences were like working with this company.
Zibby is new to the publishing scene, Natalie. There is a video with the authors in it, telling the listener how wonderful Zibby is, how she believed in their books, how they market together to get the word out about their books. Zibby has many followers and “book ambassadors” around the globe who help promote the books published by Zibby Books.
You have a good suggestion, contacting an author directly. Thank you so much for offering your insight here. Have a beautiful weekend!
I’ve never heard of Zibby but research it and if it seems genuine, send a query!
Thanks, Alex. I just responded to Natalie above with additional info I’ve discovered. Zibby seems authentic. Here’s hoping.
Thanks for your input here. Have a great weekend!
I know nothing of Zibby, but I’d keep asking. If they charge, please run away fast. Best of luck. If they don’t pan out, think of Query Tracker.
Yes, Zibby is new to the publishing scene, Joylene. But everything I’ve read or heard shows she believes in books and female writers. I’ll keep you posted of what I learn.
It’s always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful weekend!
This sounds like an inspiring story, Victoria. I see the point of clarifying who the memoir is about BUT I also see how foundational your daughter is to your story. My daughter is like that, too. Best of luck with it!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jacqui. I truly need to hear them. Always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful weekend!
Hi, Victoria! I worked with a lot of young special needs students when I taught. It was always wonderful when a student had an engaged parent as an advocate. I think your memoir will be encouraging to lots of students and parents!
Thank you for this, Louise. This helps me greatly. Yes, I believe parents need to be their children’s advocates until the child can be her own.
Have a beautiful weekend!
I hope you get to see a cover soon!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Steph! I’m so glad you stopped by.
I so want to see the cover of this college memoir. It is always a thrill to see my middle grade short fiction and characters depicted in Cricket Magazine when they publish one of my pieces.
Please stop by again, Steph. Have a great day!
Hi Victoria,
How welcoming – but would Zibby accept a foreigner, from a country tdoesn’t reakllyb exist ( UK)
For a short time, I had a wonderfully supportive agent,. After she died ( breast cancer, brain tumour) I tried hard to find another Random House were interested in something I’d sent to their slush pile – then wanted a change i coukldn’t write.. Arrogant of me ? Still OK with that decision, but it would be amazing to secure a real book deal – and work with a publisher’;s own design team.
Instead – three of us, IT husband, artist cousin, and me –
and me. My husband’s the fifth of six, UK authorities said his spoecial needs sister couldn’t be educated in school – but his mother was a primary schoiool teacher –
Literate, numerate , wicked sense of humour – slowly, loves Roman hoistoiry and archaeology – luckily, Hadrian’s Wall is very close.
like your daughter, support from her mother was vital
Camping’s great – one dark and stoirmy night, when a drought broke at last, a 6ft 3 stranger arrived in my tent, 1 a.m, 1,000 feet up in the hills.
Esther
It truly would be amazing to achieve a book deal. I’m still learning about Zibby Books, Esther. Visit the website I offer in my post and ask a question. Be sure you let IWSG know what happens in one of your posts.
Thanks so much for visiting Adventures in Writing. Have a great day!
Good luck with your memoir. I have not heard of that publisher. Maybe look it up on Writer Beware for any information. It’s always better to be safe on all the publishing fronts. I don;t know if you explicitly need to explain who the memoir is about, despite opening with your daughter. My family IS who I am, and if I wrote a memoire, they would be woven into the fabric of every page. I am sure as the memoire unfolds, the reader should be able to figure out the rest. Good luck!
Thank you so much, Miffie, for sharing this insight with me. I truly appreciate it.
Writer Beware–a great idea. I just checked the website and didn’t find anything about Zibby Books. I’m assuming that means that no one has reported anything bad about Zibby Books.
My family is part of who I am as well, Miffie. Thank you for your offering your input regarding an introduction for my memoir. Truly appreciate your help with this. Have a great day!
Sounds interesting.
Thank you, Mary. I hope so. Wish me luck! Have a beautiful weekend.
You sounds like you’re in the throes of planning here. Never hear of Zibby, but it sounds a bit like a composite house where they help you publish and promote, but also charge you an amount to publish… or am I reading that wrong? Because I never heard of a reputable publisher charging a fee for submissions….
Well, here’s hoping for a wonderful experience
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Eden! I’m so glad you stopped by.
Yes, here’s hoping Zibby is all it purports to be. All best to you!