When a nobel author claims to be the best

I'm too busy trying to complete my first draft, yet several of my stories have been afflicted with major identity crises: they can't decide what they'll be. It's irksome to say at the least.

 

I can read your work if you want. I am free this week.

 

Nearly every writer thinks their work is something special. They'd almost have to, to have the guts to send it to a publisher and ask for money. Given that it's a competitive market, saying it's ahead of the rest is also an obvious ploy. Publishers understand all this; they're not going to be impressed by claims of 'My work is the best!' Given that art is entirely subjective, it's a ridiculous claim to make anyway. Even if they were to publish it, if they marketed it as 'the best' when it was actually just 'fairly good', they'd get a lot of disappointed consumers who'd be unlikely to buy the author's work again.

'Show, don't tell' is a trite remark that gets thrown around a lot, but I think it's apt in this context. Your pitch can't just tell the publisher that your work is good, it has to show the publisher why your piece is good. You shouldn't need to compare it to other authors and their works - if your piece is truly worth reading, it should speak for itself without crutches. If your piece is truly phenomenal, you should really only need to point at it and say, 'Hey, look at that!'

Basically, you don't demand respect; you earn it.

 

Yeap. I kind of agree to that. However, I'd like to share a little bit of my experience here with fellow novel authors:

DO NOT TRY TO INNOVATE IN LITERATURE...!!!!!!!

1. Editorials have something called "the cannon", which is basically a formula of what has given good commercial results. This is, in short: detective/crime stories, fantasy, porn and romance.
2. Editorials work based in "collections", which means they will try to fit your work within a certain group, which helps them to better promote your book.
3. Editorials are not interested in literary "experiments". They want accesible manuscripts aimed at young people. Keep it simple, use regular formulas, tell a nice story.
4. Editorials want people with published books and some sort of recognition. You can earn some points by writing some short stories and participating in whatever contest, rather than wasting 5 years in something super-original.
5. Editorials are not interested in super-long books. They want to charge a standart price and they want the books to be reasonable in their lengt, so they don't spend too much in the extra pages, which would mean less gain for them. Don't go for the super-short either.

One of my books, Apotheosis, is the first Epic that has been written since the XIX century. This is the long forgotten gender of the Iliad, and I have a formal literary study to back up this and several other claims; yet, I've been turned down over and over by dozens editorials.

The time of big authors is pretty much dead right now. Editorials are seeking commercial formulas and don't give a crap about "art".

To put it simple: I am being consistently ignored as if I didn't know how to write.

 

From the sound of it you're going to need a very niche kind of agent and/or publisher to take interest in this "novel", if you can call it that (not being disparaging, you said yourself it's not really a novel). Maybe that kind of 'out there' company is the kind that would like an 'out there' query.

But if I read that kind of statement from a new author, it would certainly not make me want to pick up the book.

 

Why would an agent, publisher OR reader care about the results of a "formal literary study"?

Edit: Was a bit mean.

 

Actually, after reading the grandiose description of this book, I wanted to read it.

Just out of mere curiosity. Label anything as the BEST OF THE BEST and I'm going to think, "Bullshit......I gotta find out." <buys book>



Also, publishers may not want to work with you cause of your confident attitude. You gotta remember, by making a deal they're signing a deal with your book AND YOU. You two are a packaged deal..

Its like how people don't hang out with their friends when their Significant Other is a confident jackass *coughs*

You don't seem like a terrible person on here though, so, I doubt you're that muc...

 

Tenderiser:

1. A literary study is the kind of thing that justifies Cervantes as the best writer of all times, or the success of Gabriel García Márquez. A literary study SHOULD be what all agencies would be taking as a guarantee of the quality of someone's work. In my case, the study has the support of two literary professors of the university of Los Andes.

2. Yeap, I am actually the best author that ever lived and it's not a subjective opinion. And no, I did not mean everyone writes crap. It's just you choosing to react emotionally as a result of your own unsecurities against someone you don't personally know. Should you chose a more intellectual approach, I could elaborate a fitting response, for instance, regarding the subjetivity of literature or something like that.

3. Read my previous post.

Nicoel:

I also think this approach will help me to promote my book, and that's exactly the idea. As for doing the best of the best, it's not really a big deal if you think about it. Right now Don Quixote is internationally recognized as the best. There are several literary studies that explain what Cervantes did that was innovative and how he influenced literature for centuries. We now have computers and internet, so it's a lot easier to pursue perfection. Comming up with original ideas regarding structure or narrative elements is the hardest part, but it's a no brainer that nobody remains on top forever.

In my opinion, there is a lot of weight in Cervantes' legacy that turns him into a legend and a symbol of literature, but it can be argued, for example, that Cien Años de Soledad (A Hundred Years of Solitude) is a better book... maybe, maybe not, whatever. It is actually dangerous to try to challenge Cervantes and I'm not really motivated to discuss that during my publicity campaign, but I can say something like "The best book since Don Quixote" and it would still produce a good reaction.

Regarding me, as a person, I just sound like an abomination by saying my work is exceptional. I'd like to offer the analogy of Jesus:

- I am the Son of God.
- You what?
- The Son...
- Oh man, you're so dead...!

The End

It's not the person you're seeing. It's the claim. It's not my fault that I busted my ass for five years enduring all kinds of difficulties to create those manuscripts. It doesn't matter that I have a literary study to corroborate my claims. To a lot of people what matters is that I need to shut up.

This may play in my favor or against me. Time will tell, but yeap. I believe hard work should met its reward and I also believe in receiving it while I'm still alive, and also I don't know of any "rule" written in stone, so...

...but if you are curious about the kind of person I am, well. I am a family man, I have a 3 years old boy and I just want some money to offer him security. I just want a happy ending for me and my family. Don't care much about "fame" or whatever, as I am fully aware I am going to die and that will be the end of the game for me.

So, I just know who I am and have an idea of the value of my hard work. I want to sell it. I'd like people to enjoy it, and that's about it. Really.

 

Thinking about the subject of promoting a book, there are some thoughts that should be considered, as this is not an estrategy exclusive to me. For example, if you look at Donald Thrump, the man right now is aiming at creating polemic discussions everywhere. He trusts in the old saying that any adverticing is a good one; and regardless of the many horrible things the man said, he has gotten some extra attention from the media just because of his big mouth. This shows that talking can be better than remaining silent.

However, the other side of the coin must be taken into consideration as well. If you take the example of The Beattles, and their album Bigger than Jesus, you'll know what I mean. They got a lot of attention for having use such a title, but a lot of people dished them and they felt compelled to apologize in public, which means one need to seek for a balance in the equation.

My personal estrategy offers no guarantee whatsoever. It simply seeks to have people talking, since I don't have the means to plague internet with publicity. How I do it and the results of such iniciative may be of interest to anyone that wants to succeed in this business. Let's not forget the problem is not only to get your manuscript published. There are thousands of people who got that part just fine and then sold poorly. The adventure and the invested time and effort only gave them a little, bittersweet, feeling of satisfaction and longing.

 

As it goes, you can't proclaim yourself a genius; however, couldn't it be argued that only a genius could truly understand the concept of genius?

Either way, the guy is in for a big shock when he finds out that his work probably isn't even worth a merit badge at his local writing club.

 

You keep mentioning the five years. Five years really isn't that long, for writing a book. I understand that you worked hard on it and think that it's good and want to be rewarded, but that's true of every author who finishes a book.

A literary study by who? What person or university, exactly? Why should we take their word for it? Have they been recognized, on a world-wide basis, as the very best judges of literature?

 

Oh, I just read the whole thread and discovered that @Augusto is the actual author in question ... plot twist, ladies and gentlemen!

I don't think pitching yourself as the next prodigy will really help, but I can say that I don't think there is anything wrong with having a 'confident' or 'winning' attitude. However, this approach should be strictly reserved to ones self -- a form of determination, if you will.

Claiming that you are the next Robert Louis Stevenson is only setting yourself up as a punching bag: you're going to get all kinds of people wanting to read your work not for enjoyment but to find a way, no matter how insignificant, to ridicule it. Such claims only add great burden; it can backfire to the point were you lose all confidence in your own work and feel any chance of publication slip through your fingers. There is nothing worse in life than losing hope in your dreams or desires, especially if it's self inflicted.

Edit: And the Beatles are bigger than Jesus, and better!

 

For being a 'Noble' writer, you'd think some people would know what the word humble means...

 

All I can say is that if the intent is to make me want to purchase and/or read the work, it has the opposite effect. I'd be vastly less likely to look at something when an author makes those kinds of statements. If an independent third party, like a literary critic whose tastes I agree with, said something along those lines, I'd be likely to take a look at the work. When the author says it, I roll my eyes and move on to the next book.

 

Only your writing will say whether your worthy of a prize or not. But I think it would be better that if you're going to crow - there should be a reason. Pride in your book aside, what's your credentials for making such a claim?
What are other people said about your writing?
What else have you written?
And five years is zip. Especially if you're new to writing. It could take that long just to get the rubbish out of your system.

I've read things on Smashwords and a handful of other sites. I've seen writers with great educations churning out drivel. And writers turn interesting ideas into pretentious crap.
It's not that you can't shoot for a prize. But why be vain about it? If there's nothing to back it up, you could just wind up looking a fool. And I'll tell you this approach can really backfire on sites like Goodreads.

 

Augusto, a writer needs to learn. But if you cling to the idea that you're the best author in history, you're going to be resistant to learning. It's likely that your need to believe that you're a great author will keep you from ever having the opportunity to become a good author.

People believe what they need to believe, however implausible it is. That need allows them to close their eyes to any amount of reality.

If I were you, I'd take a long hard look at what is driving the need for you to believe that you're the best in history, and I would address that belief as the roadblock that it probably is. Consider the possibility, the likelihood, that you are merely a young man who might be good at writing and who might become an author someday. Because breaking down your belief is likely the only chance that you have of truly becoming a successful author.

 

this guy is doomed, and here is the reason why

http://slushpilehell.tumblr.com/

Take a look at how many authors write letters or make claims that they are the "greatest writer ever" or that "god has called them to write." It is an instant "nope, next submission".

 

Have you ever considered that you are getting rejected and passed on regularly because your writing is sub-par? It is great to have confidence and thick skin, but it sounds like you are so conceited that you can't even take critique, which means that you can never improve.

What feedback have friends, editors, or contests given to your work? Did you finish second to this Summer of Fear story, or were you one of the countless entrees that got a "thank-you, better luck next time?" If you are willing, post a excerpt in the critique forum and try to get some feedback.

This is a tough field and i wish you all the best. My experience gained in starting a company and selling it has taught me that there is a huge difference between tenacity and aggressive douchebaggery...and sorry to say, you 100% come across as in the latter.

 

From the link @wellthatsnice posted:

Anyway.

Everyone else is posting good advice about why/how you're probably not the greatest author. So, I'm not going to go into that. Of course, you could prove yourself by posting an excerpt in the writing forum, to see our opinions. Without that, all we're left by to judge you and your writing skills by are your forum posts, and they're not helping you prove to be the greatest writer. You misspell words and misuse common words most people would recognize as wrong. You're on a forum filled with people who read and write for fun. If anyone is going to notice, it's us. Let alone the common public.

Examples:
1) Your title. "When a nobel author..." -- you're a novel author. Despite your efforts, you haven't won a Nobel prize yet.
2) In your response to me, "Comming up with original idea"
3) You say, "not an estrategy" frequently. Surely the red autocorrect would tell you that you've misspelled a word?

Now that I think about it, I seem to remember something about how English isn't your first language, and if that's the case, then kudos to you. However, you're not perfect yet.

**Note: By this post I am not claiming to have perfect spelling or grammar - I'm on the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to writers on here and I'm perfectly aware of that

 

I'm going to give you a lesson on why these are terrible examples.

Donald Trump inherited a company worth hundreds of Millions, and a name synonymous with real estate. He wasn't and has never been an up-and-comer attempting to break in. He was born with a silver spoon in his butlers mouth and a gold spoon in his own. He could make outlandish claims when he was younger, because he had his fathers bankroll.

The Beatles - That is not the name of a Beatles album. That is a miss-quote from an interview. The true quote was "We're more popular than jesus now." and it was in reference to Lennon's observation that Christianity and Church attendance in the UK was on the decline (which he felt was a good thing). It was also specifically referencing the fact that the sales on the Beatles Albums were greater than Bible sales for a 9 day period in 1966. Which means that he kind of had actual evidence to back up his claim. They were also the most popular band in the world at the time.

In both cases, these people you are referencing made their audacious claims when they were backed by power and money the likes of which you and i will never see. While their claims are wild they at least had the means to back them up. What do you have other than claims? If the answer is nothing, then i am sorry to inform you that your claims are worthless.

 

The work may be the best piece of literature of the last 100 years; it may not. But if it is, it will speak for itself. And author making these kinds of claims doesn't do themselves any favors. If the work is that good, it'll get picked up.

 

If your prior name rhymes with sheverdiso, cough twice in succession.

 

First of all, thank you all for your responses.

I must say I agree with pretty much everything everyone said so far. Right now I think I need to clarify a lot of things and it's such of too much, so I'm not entirely sure were to start. This post may end up being a little bit messy, but let's give it a try.

What I attempted here was some sort of a field experiment. I am not here to boost my ego, much less to agraviate fellow writers. I am here because I want to test my promotional approach.

With that being said, I haven't mail any editorial or agent with claims like "better than Cervantes" or "bigger than Jesus". It's a no brainer that such thing will only perjudice my case. I used it here just to light things up.

So, let's start with a brief summary of my case:

Apotheosis - Romance of the End of the World is the first epic since the XIX century. It is also a novel of science fiction and religion, and also an eschatological treaty that seeks to represent the diversity of human nature on an individual and collective level.

Epic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_poetry
Eschatology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology

Without going too technical, Apotheosis is a story of the last 120 years of human life on Earth before going to the supernatural realm. It is the result of a study that combined four different views regarding religion: Christianism, Judaism, Islamism and Atheism (hence the eschatological part). I actually builded a story that harmonizes the views of the Qran and the Bible regarding the end of the world, but I did not stop there.

I did an extensive research on history and phylosphy (I read many writtings, since Plato to Bertrand Russell) to reflect human nature on a world wide and timeless way, and I also enriched the characters by applying formal psychology to the whole thing, not to mention I also used contemporary elements and created a story that ranges from individual affairs to universal moral issues and political dilemas.

This means Apotheosis can be read by a broad variety of people who can extract very different kinds of elements from the story. In fact, there are hundreds of references implied in the text for people to find.

In the literary part, I did a lot of experimentation during those five years (in which I also worked on my other book) and got as a result a story that is completely linked like a spider web. This causes that as you progress in the reading, the implications of what you're reading will make you remember what you read before. It is a psychological strategy aimed at increasing the pleasure of the reading and to break the saying that people tend to remember just the beginning and the end of a story.

In adition, I created some support elements that are meant to motivate an active reading, rather than a passive one. The reader is invited to investigate and to think critically (rather than being told what to think and who he is suppose to like/hate) while progress in the reading.

The system works like this: there are 120 foot notes that give additional information pertinent (but not essential) to the story. So you decide if you look at it or not. If you look at the foot note, in several cases it will include a biblical verse number between parenthesis. I included a glosary of biblical passages (reworded by me for aesthetical and brevity reasons) at the end of the book, so when you find a biblical number you must choose if you want to further enrich the reading by consulting the glosary.

While I did not quote the Quran for obvious reasons, there are countless of indirect references to it in the story, so a Muslim reader will have a very different understanding on the significancy of events than a Christian reader, which is also true for an atheist or a jewish reader.

The literary study also explains things such as the harmony in the structure of the novel. There is an impressive simetry in it, but it is something rather confusing to explain on the forum.

There are other stuff, but I think that's enough for a starter. If I go on, the bet will rise exponentially, specially when I start explaining the other book, and its relation with Apotheosis. So what do you think so far? Would you like me to say more? Is there anything you want to ask?

 

I don't have a comment on the entire piece, but I would like to comment that you rewording biblical quotes has the potential to upset/piss off quite a few readers.

Also, why not quote the Quran? You claim it is built for Christian, Muslim, etc faiths - but by quoting the Christian bible and leaving out the Quran you're making your audience far more narrower than you claim.

 

Muslims can be offended by me quoting the Quran in my novel. This is a very polemic piece of work in which all four points of view are confronted and I wouldn't like to become the target of radical islamism.

Nevertheless, once the novel is published I am planning to unveil hidden details of the story on regular basis over the internet. For example, there is a character named Antipas Zepol. Antipas is the name of an actual character mentioned in the book of Revelations, but "Zepol" is "Lopez" backwards. This is a hint to the similarities between this character and Leopoldo López, a political prisoner in Venezuela.

There are about one hundred details like this, and if we count the references to the Quran, the number rises exponentially. Hopefully this will (rather than feel like an omision) help me to develop my publicity campaign.

At the end I hope all those details will end up in Wikipedia, so people will be able to further expand their understanding of the story by searching on the internet. Remember the novel aims to promote an active reading.

And I am counting with a few religious people being pissed and doing some free advertizing for me. It is something I am very interested in.