When The Pie Lab Gives You Lemons …

When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned…
Change Your Plans

 

Okay. I had EVERYTHING all planned out for my next book, The Pie Lab.

My outline, my characters, a little promotion. February 14, 2013 (Valentine’s Day) for the target release date. The best designer I know working on the cover art.

And just to make sure I was doing everything I could to gain support for The Pie Lab novel, I decided to contact the executive director who oversees the restaurant, as well as the manager.

Here’s my letter:

August 12, 2012

Dear (Lovely Person # 1 and Person # 2), 

I’m a novelist who lives in Mobile, Alabama. Last year, I enjoyed visiting The Pie Lab, and am interested in using the location as a setting for my next book. I’ve published two novels, the latest of which (Dancing Naked in Dixie) was set in Eufaula, Alabama. (FYI: The content is rated “G”) Dixie follows the story of a NYC travel writer who visits the Deep South.

My novels are humorous and heart-felt, with memorable characters and happy endings. I’d love to write a similar story involving The Pie Lab and Greensboro, reflecting the historic city and your restaurant in a positive light. 

Would it be possible to get a release/permission to use The Pie Lab logo and a few of the photos on your website or Facebook page? The images would be used to design the cover of the novel and could be used to promote the book. It is my hope that the novel would generate additional tourism interest in The Pie Lab and Greensboro. 

If you’d like to check out my books, please click on any link below or visit my website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

All the best, Lauren Clark

 

Here’s the Response:   

 

August 17, 2012

Hi Lauren

Thanks for your message.  I went to Amazon and bought your most recent book.  I will email you when I finish it.   

Thanks for thinking of PieLab.  I don’t think we would be interested lending our name/location to your next project but thank you for considering us!  I appreciate your writing and will be following your work!

Person # 1

 

Ouch. Ugh. Nooooooo. But. All sorts of thoughts went through my head. I could convince them. I could make them love it. After a few days of good old fashioned Deep South “wallering” to my publicist, Laura Pepper Wu, and some other author girlfriends, I told myself to get over it!

Here were my choices:   (1) Go ahead and write the book anyway and keep the title? (2) Write a different book? (3) Change the title and location and go for the February 2013 release anyway.

I picked # 3. Pie Girls will be out in February 2013, Deep South location yet to be disclosed…………

 

xx, Lauren

 

 

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