This story comes from Kelly Simmons.
I am a writer who struggled to be published for over 15 years. One day, after my then-agent had summoned me to New York in near blizzard conditions, only to reject my latest book, I headed back to Penn Station at the lowest point in my career. Her hollow words rang in my ears, “Maybe you just need to write something more personal.” Please, I thought; my third-grade writing teacher could have given me that advice.
At the station, I waited for my delayed train and ruminated over my diastrous meeting when someone sat down next to me. I turned and saw Tom Wolfe, wearing an all-white suit, white overcoat, and white spats. At 2 pm, on a Thursday, in the middle of a freaking snowstorm.
I smiled at the ridiculousness of the situation, but before I could even think if there was anything I should say to him or ask him, my train was called. As we pulled away from the station, I decided it was a sign. Tom Wolfe was published late in life — and I would be too. I told myself I was going to come up with a new plot for a new book during the train ride — before I got to Philadelphia, I would know what to write.
And you know what? I did. And within two months, I had a new agent and a book deal. (Standing Still, published by Simon & Schuster)
Tom Wolfe, angel in white.
#1 by Erica on January 30, 2012 - 10:47 am
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Wow, that’s quite an inspiring story! Glad to hear you got published, not everyone do. My friend got published on her second attempt but it probably had to do with her working at a publishing company (not the one that published her) so she had the necessary experience.