Privacy yet honesty?

[TexasKitKat]

I wrote an autobiographical book similar to the writings of Joyce Meyer. Unfortunately, there are so many nasty things that happened in my family, both in childhood and as an adult, that now I can't figure out any way to get the book published.

If I publish under a pseudonym noone will publish because the publishers all want you to do the talk show circuit (radio, tv, book signings, etc.) and they will want my real name.

If I publish under my real name my family (both my parents and children) will be "outed" and I can't bring myself to do that.

I could just leave out all the stuff about others in the family but then the book is just too boring.

Some of the most devastating things in my life were things my children did and how they affected me and how the Lord brought me through it all. But now I have grandchildren and I certainly can't have them hearing about all this!

Any suggestions??

 

[RaddMadd]

give fake names. it was said that edgar allen poe gave fake names in his poems, even though they were based on true events! obviously don't lie, just say in the book the names given are fake to protect...etc etc.

 

[TexasKitKat]

give fake names. it was said that edgar allen poe gave fake names in his poems, even though they were based on true events! obviously don't lie, just say in the book the names given are fake to protect...etc etc.

A pseudonym IS a fake name. Considering I only have 2 children, even if I change their names, locations, etc. in the book, when people hear me being interviewed they will know who the kids are. I don't think I could pull off all the hullabaloo around here of having been published and not have the grandkids find out. And if they find out they will of course want to read the book.

 

[Tariel]

How many publishers have you talked to about this? It might be possible to be published without getting interviewed...unless of course you WANT the interviews...

Why do you want to get this published? How important is it to you? Think about it, and be honest with yourself.

I have no idea who Joyce Meyer is...so I'm not entirely sure what you are talking about there, but would it be possible to get it published without telling anybody that it is an autobiography? Maybe publish it as a novel? Maybe say that it's based on a true story....(because it is).

Those are my suggestions, sorry if I was't any help. But as I don't know you, your work, or your life...it's hard.

 

[TexasKitKat]

Wow...good idea to publish it as a novel! I could so totally do that and disguise everything and say its based on a true story.

I have struggled with this difficulty for years...thank you SO much for suggesting this solution!

Re Christian publishers, I've worked at a lot of them and I know how they operate re marketing and they pretty much all want their authors very visible. Re Joyce Meyer she has a worldwide ministry and has written dozens of books. Her book "Beauty for Ashes" is about her life, particularly her terrible childhood and how the Lord got her through it.

Anyway, thanks again for the help.

 

[Tariel]

Wow...good idea to publish it as a novel! I could so totally do that and disguise everything and say its based on a true story.

I have struggled with this difficulty for years...thank you SO much for suggesting this solution!

Re Christian publishers, I've worked at a lot of them and I know how they operate re marketing and they pretty much all want their authors very visible. Re Joyce Meyer she has a worldwide ministry and has written dozens of books. Her book "Beauty for Ashes" is about her life, particularly her terrible childhood and how the Lord got her through it.

Anyway, thanks again for the help.

Glad I could be helpful

 

[Carri20]

I had the same problem once. You can definitely write it as a novel and change all the names, plus use an original pen name for yourself. Unless the book turns out to be a best seller you shouldn't find yourself under a lot of pressure as far as interviews go.

Personally, when I write, I don't even let my family know I'm writing. My husband knows and that's it. So if/when my work gets published and someone I know happens to see it on a shelf of their local bookstore, they won't even know that it was written by me. That's how I like it, because my writing is too honest.

 

[momgreenlady]

I have pondered that stuff myself. I had figured I would make it more of a novel to help with the situation but my family will still know that it is involving them. Did everything turn out good in the end? If so then all of that stuff is in the past and really does not matter now. As for me my mom is still messed up so there is not a happy ending yet! For me I think it will be best to be honest with my family and upfront with them, that is hoping that I can spin a happy ending on the whole deal! I think it is important to ask why you want it published and what that means to you. For me I want people to read my story. I want others to be able to identify with it and see that they are not alone. Those are my two main reasons, what are yours?