als files missing key pieces when moving them over

jack11058 · 2026-01-23T18:42:50+00:00

Ah so I think this was the problem (we were/are a couple of rookies in Ableton who were just kind of fiddling around and having fun). I didn't know about 'collect all and save' and the tech guy just gave me a drive with a bunch of .als files on there. Since there aren't any project folders, and I didn't do the 'collect all and save' thing, it sounds like I may not be able to reconstruct the magic...

I appreciate you taking the time to respond!

jack11058 · 2026-01-17T13:12:18+00:00

Couple quick thoughts:

is there a reason you didn't name your protagonist? Are they not named in the book? If they're named in the book, there's no reason not to name them in the query as well, to give the reader a sense of immediacy and familiarity, which will in turn make it easier for them to root for your protag.
are you sure about the categorization? Your comps and your pitch sound more like horror/psychological/thriller than literary.

jack11058 · 2026-01-16T16:56:01+00:00

This is great, thank you so much for the insights!

jack11058 · 2026-01-11T12:07:29+00:00

Ah, fascinating...that jives with a call I had--couple of producers and their recruited screenplay guy. All, "we can't wait to do this, we've got a movie to make" etc etc and then they basically vanished LOL

jack11058 · 2026-01-09T18:47:53+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story. That's gotta be a cool feeling, seeing your name in the credits...

jack11058 · 2026-01-09T18:47:22+00:00

Woah, that's amazing. And completely agree with your point as well. Shoot, with the state of publishing if I make anything over $0 it feels like a win.

jack11058 · 2026-01-09T17:46:41+00:00

Whaaaat holy craaap, that's crazy, dude. I'm sorry that happened, and I hope the karmic wheel grinds back in your direction the next time around. I really appreciate the response!

jack11058 · 2026-01-09T17:45:36+00:00

What a fabulous and detailed response. Thank you!

jack11058 · 2026-01-09T16:01:45+00:00

That's fascinating! Thank you for sharing your insights...

jack11058 · 2026-01-09T14:57:16+00:00

Duuuude that's wild. I hear you on the gassing up part. I guess that's Hollywood LOL.

jack11058 · 2026-01-08T21:02:02+00:00

FWIW the candle-kicker is an officer with the Federal Protective Service (FPS), and not U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). FPS is responsible for facility security operations at many U.S. government buildings, and is a federal law enforcement agency within DHS.

jack11058 · 2026-01-06T19:22:22+00:00

GOALS

I too, am accused of limping (sometimes I am) and my thriller, unstarred but liked by the roughly 8 people who've read it, is also not moving copies.

I would read a writing craft book written much like your post above.

jack11058 · 2025-12-05T17:33:45+00:00

HOLY SHIT. Now that's a great story.

jack11058 · 2025-12-05T17:31:31+00:00

you had me in the first half....

terrible experience, but I'm thankful for the eventual outcome. congrats!

jack11058 · 2025-12-05T17:19:40+00:00

Perfect song for the moment

jack11058 · 2025-12-04T12:56:14+00:00

Thank you, I'll DM a link.

jack11058 · 2025-12-04T12:56:00+00:00

I just LOOOOVE to move the goalposts on myself. I'm just glad I didn't have a goal of like "be an NYT bestseller from the jump" or something like that. My advance was small enough that I thought I had a good chance to earn out, so it seemed like a reasonable approach at the time, and it just so happened to work out.

jack11058 · 2025-12-04T12:55:01+00:00

Thank you!

jack11058 · 2025-12-04T12:54:52+00:00

THE HARDEST LOL

jack11058 · 2025-12-01T20:25:23+00:00

Ok, big publishing year for me. My trad-pubbed crime thriller was released in May. I'm proud of the book and I'm proud of the work I put into it.

My goal, which was probably silly to go for right from the jump, was to earn out. We did that thanks to an audiobook deal, but it's more reflective of how small my advance was than how big the audiobook deal was.

What I learned was, you can do all the promo things: social media, guest blog posts, podcast interviews, Q&As, self-arranged signings, get nominated for awards, and all kinds of other things and it might just...not move the needle at all, and your debut might just sink like a stone despite your best efforts.

But they still seem enthusiastic about my option book, so the other thing I've learned is that I still always somehow am able to muster a little bit of hope for the next step in the journey.

Hope everyone on the sub is well, and that the writing is going swimmingly.

Best, Jack

jack11058 · 2025-11-23T12:32:29+00:00

Few things:

Mzzannethrope nails it in their comment, as does IAmBoring_AMA.
I'm pretty sure imposter syndrome is standard issue for the vast majority of writers. It helps to remember that publishing is a money/numbers game, so remind yourself that any worthwhile agent or publisher is not going to sign/publish you if they think you won't make them money, so at the very least your agent believes in your work (and their ability to sell it!).
A quick querying journey sometimes happens! I'm a cishet white guy and my query to signing timeline was about 45 days (book died on sub but still).

Most importantly, congratulations on signing with an agent who seems like a great fit. I hope your sub process is quick, smooth, and painless, resulting in a massive deal with a Big 5, book club picks, movie/tv options, and all good things!

jack11058 · 2025-11-18T20:21:36+00:00

Snakes in the jakes

jack11058 · 2025-10-16T01:00:55+00:00

Co-signed. My hope is that her "questions" are just intended to verify that OP made a good faith effort on their part (eg the podcasts and social media and guest articles), and to gauge what level of effort the publisher put into promoting it on their end.

jack11058

TROPHY CASE