[Stylist] Opinion Piece Quite Informative by a Blind Author

[Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter]

Chris and David,

It's funny because I hear a lot that when writing fiction, editors and
publisher's don't want to see a blind character, or at least a main
character. However, as a creative nonfiction writer, I always hear that
people want me to write more about blindness, as if that's the only thing I
do and want to focus on in my life. When I blogged for the Omaha World
Herald, an editor solicited me about writing a book, but, he wanted an
entire book about my life as a blind person, and at the time, I didn't want
to do that. Interesting the difference in attitudes between fiction and
nonfiction when it comes to the subject of blindness.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Stylist <stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Chris Kuell via
Stylist
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 3:30 PM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Chris Kuell <ckuell at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Stylist] Opinion Piece Quite Informative by a Blind Author

David,

Thanks for sharing this op-ed piece. I believe the author hit the nail right
on the head, despite her blindness!

I've written two novels and have failed to get an agent. With my first, I
got 8 requests for more, but nobody took it. A former Redbook editor asked
if I mentioned I was blind in my cover letter, I said no, and she implored
me to do so. I did, sent out more queries, and got no responses.

Meanwhile, I wrote another novel, this one in the first person from a blind
character's perspective. I ran it by my critique group, paid a professional
editor to help me tighten it up, had several writer friends read and comment
on it and when it was good to go, I sent it out. I got two nibbles, both
asking to see more. After sending in the first 50 pages, one agent simply
rejected it and the other said she was going to pass and suggested I make my
character 'more vulnerable'. Stupid me, I wrote about a blind guy who lived
by himself and had a job and had fun with his friends, got mad when he
accidentally knocked things off the counter, and basically lived his life
like any other person.

Still hoping to get published, my latest novel has a blind minor character,
and I won't mention my blindness in my cover letters.

Chris



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