Bill W - I Need your input...

[Bill W]

I have a publisher who's agreed to look at Castaway, to see if they might want to publish it - a clean version that is. No graphic sex... although I might alude to it. Therefore, I'm working on cleaning up book 1.

 

I thought it might be best to change to title of it, too, so if people are doing a search online, they won't find the gay version, with the graphic sex, and generate a negative campaign or publicity.

 

I'm sure many of you remember what they attempted to do to J K Rowlings when they tried to say she was a witch and practicing witchcraft and Satanism.. I don't need anyone screaming I'm gay and trying to pervert the youth, especially with the graphic sex.

 

Here are some suggestions I've been given.. please let me know which one(s) you like.. and please put them in order of your preference - from your first choice on down. If you have any suggestions of your own, add those too.

 

The ones I have for you to select from are:

 

One For All - Blended Family - The Castaways - Family of Castaways - Josh's Castaways - Mr. Currie's Castaways - The Children No One Wanted - Starting Over - Second Chances - The Young Castaways -

 

Please give me your feedback... it will be greatly appreciated.

 

Bill

[miguelsanchez55]

Dear Bill,

I think there is a story called Starting Over.

 

I like:

One For All

 

But here is a combination of two you came up with that could work very well. One for All, A Blended Family

 

Another possibility is: The Children No One Wanted, A Second Chance

 

Hope this helps Bill.

 

Take care,

Mike :sword:

[Navigator]

The Castaway Sanctuary?

 

Just a thought.

[James Bond]

Is it a major publisher, one who is likely to bring in big bucks???

If yes, it is worth rewriting, perhaps.

 

If no, it is better to find a publisher who is OK with gay literature, and do a minimum sanitazion when necessary.

 

But remember, some of those who are likely to read it, have probably already seen it at Nifty, so the word will spread, whether you want to or not.

 

So, either you need do a total rewrite, changing names, location, big chunks of story line etc. etc., or, better IMHO, be upfront about it.

 

There are Nifty stories that have been published as books. Whether the author made much money from it is another matter.

 

The title I liked best is 'The Children No One Wanted', but that title might put some potential buyers off.

 

What about 'A Haven For Unwanted Children'? More upbeat, easier to sell, I think.

 

BTW, I hope you'll finish the story.

 

007

[Bill W]

JB, thanks for your suggestions. I wouldn't say 'major' publisher, as most major publishers you need an agent to get in the door, which I hope to do with the rewrite of Sword, but it has potential to make some bucks.

 

Most people liked The Children No One Wanted, with the first book being, A Second Chance as a subtitle. The second book might have been titled, The Children No One Wanted: One For All.. or something like that. I will poll those who gave me feedback before, to see what they think of your suggestion, as I'm am not discounting it.

 

The characters shall remain the same, although graphic sex will be eliminated, a little more conflict included, and some of the storyline expanded. I just changed titles to avoid a search engine coming up with the gay version by using the same name, and don't worry about those who have read it online drawing the comparisons, as I would assume most are gay friendly anyway...

 

Thanks again.

Bill

[Reader]

Bill

 

I have followed your story The Castaway Hotel from the start and don't see any need to change its name But try Hotel Castaway or Hotel for Castaways

[superjaxx]

my 2 cents:

 

I like "Children No One Wanted" the best. Second would be: "Josh's Castaways"

 

 

aj

[Guest andrew75]

Dear Bill,

 

I like "Family of Castaways" best.

 

Although I think your story is just perfect the way it is now, I believe al lot of people would love to read a rewritten version of "The Castaway Hotel" with an expanded storyline.

 

I hope you will continue writing the "original" version of the story soon!

 

Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Andrew

[The Story Lover]

I like Josh's Castaways first and the blended title The Children No One Wanted, A Second Chance second. And please continue with Book 9 Chapter 4

[Guest AF1]

I like "The Children No One Wanted."

 

A couple of comments:

 

1. In removing the graphic sex for the published version, don't drop sex entirely -- you know as well as I the ways to work around getting explicit, and the sexual relationships in the stories are important to the characters you've drawn.

 

2. I imagine you don't care to talk a whole lot about it, but I confess to being very concerned about what happened to make you tie off Castaway Hotel with the three chapters of the truncated Book 9. I know you've mentioned selling your home and moving somewhere on this forum -- but can one express concern and an inquiry as to what's going on, without prying too much?

 

3. In the rewrite, develop the individuality of the characters a bit more. I "know" each of the boys from the story -- but occasionally I have to think back and figure out who someone is -- Danny vs. Kevin, Dustin vs. Pat, etc. Give us more of a feel for them as individuals beyond their brief history, sexual/romantic lives, and the one or two "special characteristics." Ricky is very "real" in this way, as are Graham and Andrew. But you're juggling too many characters in too short a space in the current narrative, and character development is missing. Cole in particular doesn't "come alive" for me until he finds the junk car -- he's "just another one of the Currie boys," with no real definining individuality, up to that point.

 

4. Has there been any news on the "nibbles" you've had regarding book publication?

 

Please don't hear any of that as complaint -- it's criticism, intended constructively, as you enter into what has to be a massive rewrite job. BTW, let me know if you're looking for a proofreader/first reader on that project -- I'm fast, relatively accurate, and have the free time to devote to it.

[Bill W]

AF1, I appreciate your comments and I will work a little harder on the character development, if I get back to the project too. I have always tried to give each boy his own personality and interests, as they are loosely based on real people and I try to stick to their personalities/interests, although not always their true sexual orientation. In fact, one of of prominent member/authors is the basis for one of the Currie boys, but I won't mention his name. I'll leave that up to him, if he wants to divulge that fact.

 

I will try to alude to certain sexual situations, although not all, just because some is tied to character development and the storyline. However, it will not be a significant part of the cleaned up version.

 

I put out the three chapters of book nine to tie up the loose ends and give some closure, in case I didn't get back to the story. I plan/hope to eventually, but even the best intentioned plans often go astray, so that was my back-up plan.

 

I hope that answers your questions and thanks for the feedback. I hope to go back to this project, once I get back on my feet.

[zero78245d]

I too have been fascinated with the your story. I remember getting frustrated with the slow posting on Nifty and was overjoyed when I found your web site.

 

I suggest "Castaway House". Enough difference that search engines probably will not pick it up, but still close to the original title intent. Another could be "Castaway Sanctuary".

 

Just some thoughts.

 

 

 

[Bill W]

Thanks, Zero. I'll keep those in mind.

[Ender]

"Shelter in a Time of Storm" and "Safehouse" occurred to me. In your original list, I'd drop "Mr." from "Mr. Currie's Castaways", making it just "Currie's Castaways". Good Luck!

[reapersharvest]

How about "secondhand family"?

 

Just a thought

[Bill W]

Thanks to all of you so far. You've certainly given me plenty of ideas to consider.

[rainbow]

Hi Bill

 

Great idea to have your book published. I for one would read it. Yes I agree you may need to tone it down a bit. But not to much, just give a suggestion on what's gong on. Even in the Straight world if I can call it that as same sex scenes in them.

 

The title, well my suggest is not very good but how about "The Family of Love".

 

Rainbow.