33 1/3 short list out; Synchronicity misses the cut

So, word came down Friday night that my Synchronicity proposal for Continuum’s 33 1/3 series had been passed over. It made the first cut, one of 170 out of the original 597, but is not part of the next list of 27 from which the final selections will be made. I’m disappointed, but not surprised. The odds were still against me (and everyone else) with 20 picks expected from that very long shortlist.

I did think that commerce was in my favor, however. When series editor David Barker reported earlier this month that “economy related goings-on” at Continuum meant the selection process was on hold, I figured having a proposal about a band that had the highest-grossing tour in the country two years ago — selling $350 million in tickets — might be particularly appealing at a time when it’s hard to pry money from people.

Alas, it was not to be. Instead, we have these 27 proposals from which who knows how many books will be selected:

AC/DC – Highway to Hell
Aretha Franklin – Amazing Grace
The Beatles – The Beatles
Bob Dylan – Time Out of Mind
The Cramps – Songs the Lord Taught Us
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust
Devo – Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Dinosaur Jr: You’re Living All Over Me
ELO – Out of the Blue
Grateful Dead – Closing of Winterland
Johnny Cash – American Recordings
Kiss – Destroyer
Leonard Cohen – Songs of Leonard Cohen
Lil’ Wayne – Da Drought 3
Liz Phair – Exile in Guyville
Lou Reed – Metal Music Machine
Neil Young – Tonight’s the Night
Operation Ivy – Energy
Paul Simon – Graceland
Radiohead – Kid A
Rolling Stones – Some Girls
Slint – Spiderland
Television – Marquee Moon
Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes
Ween – Chocolate and Cheese
White Stripes – White Blood Cells
Young Marble Giants – Colossal Youth

I could certainly make a case for most of these, though I do wonder about how many people would buy books about Operation Ivy or Young Marble Giants. I’m sure both proposals are stellar — Barker hasn’t really gone wrong yet on his picks — but knowing the marketplace is a consideration, they are surprising. Regardless, I see a dozen books I’d buy tonight if they were on the shelf, so I look forward to the eventual publication of those selected.

Barker reports that the final selections will be announced by the end of April. So, those who did make the cut have a few more weeks to stew, while those of us who missed out can wait and watch without pressure.

I’ve read a lot of blog posts about these books and this process, and most folks seem to want to read proposals. So, since mine isn’t doing any good any more, you can download it here. I haven’t included my bio, but it at least gives you a sense of what I had hoped to do, and gives future prospective writers a look at an idea that made the first cut. Perhaps I’ll do something with it someday, but in the very least the research, writing and anticipation were enough of a blast to make the entire process worthwhile.