Jan 18 2008
Interview with Donald Michael Platt
So I did the math. Linda’s nonfiction book was published when she was thirty-four (she’s still 34). Using her age as a gauge, I figure my first novel may be published when I’m sixty-eight. Ouch. Are first time novelist published that late in life? I began to feel disheartened. That is until I heard about Donald Michael Platt. His first novel was published when he was seventy-five. When I heard this, I knew I had to snag an interview. And I did just that.
Enjoy!
What were the circumstances that allowed you to be published for the first time at the age of seventy-five?
Perseverance and some good luck are what caused my first novel to be published at age 75. Although I had written two non-fiction books as a with and was paid for my writing in Hollywood, I viewed myself only as a writer and not an author until A GATHERING OF VULTURES was published.
Did your experience in Hollywood increase your chances of getting published? If so, how?
My experiences in Hollywood neither hindered nor helped my chances of having my novels published. I wrote in both screenplay/treatment and novel formats and was more fortunate in the former at that time.
What’s the premise of your first book, A Gathering of Vultures?
A GATHERING OF VULTURES, my first published novel, is a suspense/thriller that ends with horror elements. It is based on our experiences living in Florianópolis, Brazil, on the island of Santa Catarina, where black vultures are aplenty. My M.C.s are husband and wife professional ballroom dancers who hope to take DanceSport to popularity beyond that of Dancing with the Stars where it is equal to other professional sports for prize money and endorsements. My Brazilian born wife and I did a bit of amateur ballroom dancing
Describe the process you went through to get signed with DarkHart Press (i.e. through an agent or querying directly).
I did not use an agent when I sent the manuscript of A GATHERING OF VULTURES to DarkHart, which I discovered in the NEW section on P&E. It was verbally accepted within hours of being read, the royalty-paying contract soon following. I had sent many queries, partials, and fulls without success to agents and other publishers.
Your forthcoming novel, Rocamora, will be published by Lightning Rider Press. Some authors stay with their publisher for the duration of their career, you’ve taken a different route. What advice do you have for writers when it comes to selecting the right publisher for their project?
Lightning Rider, which will release later this year my historical novel, ROCAMORA, set in 17th century Spain, is owned by the same publishers as DarkHart, which specializes only in dark horror novels and anthologies. Selecting the right publisher is always one of hope. Even those who have signed with the big houses have told many stories of their frustration with promotion, distribution, and cover design. Agents often say they must feel a passion for any project they take on. A publisher must also express at least that much enthusiasm.
What advice do you have for writers who feel nervous and disenchanted about their road to getting published?
My advice for all who aspire to sell their writing is never give up. Too many in film and books operate either on conventional wisdom (aka “the current market dictates”), which puts them behind the curve, or on their own biases, which causes rejections regardless of quality. Some are lazy, in that they prefer to steal their writers/authors from other agents and publishers. Still, one must believe that special green lighter is out there. It’s a bit like the dating scene when it gets old and one knows that potential mate is out there. But where? In the meantime, write, rewrite many times, and persevere. Tenacity can create luck. And never ever pay anyone to agent or publish your work unless you are consciously self-publishing or going the other vanity routes.
Learn more:Gathering with Vultures
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I have read GATHERING WITH VULTURES and it has been a pleasure; the book grows in intensity and drama as you progress on it.
I am looking forward to the release of ROCAMORA, since Middle Ages and Historical Novels are my preferred subject. Glad to have read this interview so as to get to know about it.
Sometimes we are surprised by renowned authors; they come up with a marvelous book that has nothing to do with what we expected or what we read before. I have a feeling this is the case in relation to Mr. Donald Michael Platt’s ROCAMORA.
Regards,
Amanda Chohfi
Publishing is a tough business. I’d be happy to be published at any age. Good for you, Mr. Platt.
It’s nice to know that writers without agents can receive a publishing contract.
75, there’s hope for me yet. Nice get, Auria. I’ll be back Monday.
(Thanks)
Great interview. It’s so easy to grow inpatient and give it.
“Tenacity can create luck” is what struck me. Even if it takes 75 years, what do have to lose? Keep on keepin’ on. I feel young now. Great post.
[…] commenter, Doug Robertson, stated that Platt’s statement “tenacity can create luck” struck a chord. This got me […]
Thank you all for responding, and I might add what I believe to be my original quotation (nothing like quoting oneself):
CHRONOLOGY IS NOT DESTINY.
Hi Donald -
Thanks for stopping by. Just want to clarify for my blog readers that your interview was not edited. “Tenacity can create luck” is the orginal statement submitted.
Best,
Auria
Auria,
I do not believe that “tenacity” quote is an original of mine. I suspect it paraphrases several other similar expressions I have heard over the years.
Good luck to you and all aspiring authors — long life too.
Donald
“CHRONOLOGY IS NOT DESTINY.”
Words to live by.
“It’s nice to know that writers without agents can receive a publishing contract.”
I agree.
I HAVE BEEN A CLOSE FRIEND OF DON’S SINCE 1956 AND HAVE OBSERVED AND ADMIRED HIS INTELLIGENCE AND TENACITY ALL OF THESE YEARS AND WONDERED WHY IT DIDN’T “HAPPEN” FOR HIM. WELL, IT DID “HAPPEN” FOR HIM BECAUSE OF HIS INTELLIGENCE AND TENACITY. A LESSON FOR US ALL, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US IN THE WORLD OF CREATIVITY. KEEP MOVIN’ ON, DOIING WHAT YOU LOVE, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE.
GWEN SASKA-BROWN, PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS, PHOTOGRAPHER, PROFESSOR
Rain, check back on Monday. I will post an interview with an independent publisher that accepts unagented scripts.
Gwen, thank you for stopping by. You’ve known Donald for so many years. It’s nice to get feedback from someone who knows him personally.