The Cemetery Book

About a year and a half ago, the Maine Old Cemetery Association was approached to partner with Arcadia Press to submit a book on a topic related to Maine cemeteries. I volunteered then but heard nothing further until this past Spring when I said yes again. Then there were three of us interested. We met, reviewed the requirements, and then two backed out: one for health and capacity reasons, and the other decided to remain only in the background and provide technical support. An idea was floated to try to rekindle a “flame of interest,” and a call went out to members. There was a greater response, and we called a meeting. I asked a friend to co-direct the project with me, and we approached the Editor with an idea. Although the idea presented was a good one, our project was not a good fit, so we were referred to an Imprint, The History Press. This time, I prepared by reviewing several titles THP put out and felt that our book idea would solidly fit with that of the other books I had reviewed. I was wrong. Our plan was put out of its misery in less than an hour by that Editor…Defeated, it felt personal, yet I had to laugh at myself for thinking that one rejection could stop this idea that has been brewing for over eighteen months… We are on to a meeting this morning, 3 August 2025, with a new idea, not for the book but the way we go about “selling” the book to other publishers. This seems like a better plan, but fingers crossed….