Always go back to the why and pick the path that will fulfill that why. It may be “winning the process” of getting a deal. It could be having something in the library of congress. It could be a story that you want to share with the world. Just make the book worthy of your own legacy. That’s how I approached my decision and it has made my path enjoyable.
I'm still a good 40,000 words and multiple rounds of edits/rewrites away from facing that particular conundrum. Eventually, I'd love to see if traditional publishing is an option for the story I'm WIPing up right now. I'd definitely appreciate the help and expertise those more experienced than I would have to offer, to make the story/book/marketing as good as it can be. And, let's be honest, who wouldn't love to see their book, all nice and shiny, fresh off the press, still having that new-car smell, on the shelves at [insert bookstore of choice], wedged somewhere between Adams and Pratchett (I know I would!). Unfortunately, from what I've been reading (a LOT) about the current state of the publishing industry, from a "political" point of view, I gather that my "voice" (i.e. me, myself, and I, as well as my non-existent social media following) is not something that's en vogue or perceived as "sell-able" at the moment. Bummer. Oh well, back to writing...
Back to the writing! That’s all you can do. And when you’re finished, you don’t need to lock yourself into a decision right away. You can try the gatekeepers and if that doesn’t work there are so many other options! I would try to feel excited about the possibilities, instead of worrying about it right now.
So glad the stigma against self-publishing has lifted, Kristen! I self-published two of my seven books, and I did exactly as you wrote here: hired an editor, proofreader, formatting professional, graphic designer for my cover.
Absolutely love your insight, especially how you decode and interpret silence from the gatekeepers. This was truly an enlightening read and very timely for where I am in this process.
Great post! Thanks! For my first novel, I really wanted an agent. When I finally received requests for partials and fulls, I was ecstatic! But in the end, the book wasn’t for any of those agents, although I did receive valuable feedback and one agent was interested in future manuscripts. So, I signed a contract with a small press. Turns out, I needed to do as much work had I published independently, but with way less control and diminished returns. Now, I’ve come full circle and am back to wanting an agent for my current project. One thing I will never skip is the professional editing process, no matter which way I publish. I consider that cost an investment in myself.
The one thing that seems to be really benefiting you are options. You tried some thing that didn’t work out, so you’ll try something else! This is such a magical time to be an author.
Love this perspective! Glad "self-published" isn't a dirty word anymore lol. I self-published a personal finance book for metalheads because it was a niche topic I had an audience in, and figured a traditional publisher wouldn't publish a finance book written by a school librarian. The book got great press and reviews, was a finalist for a personal finance media award, and met my sales goals. But now I'm working on a children's nonfiction book that I'd like to publish traditionally so it can be in school libraries one day! I just finished revisions and have sent it to a topic expert for feedback. Then I imagine some more revisions and I'll start querying. :)
Good luck! It sounds like you are lucky to be able to try your books in different ways. I wish you the best of luck finding a publisher… If it doesn’t work out, it sounds like you already know how to sell publish successfully!
We’ll see! This one would be a full color book that would need illustrations or photos, idk if I want to go down that road alone! 😅 But it’s possible lol.
Always go back to the why and pick the path that will fulfill that why. It may be “winning the process” of getting a deal. It could be having something in the library of congress. It could be a story that you want to share with the world. Just make the book worthy of your own legacy. That’s how I approached my decision and it has made my path enjoyable.
“Just make the book worthy of your own legacy”
- wise words!!’
Great insights here. It is so good to know that there are options. You don't have to put yourself in a box. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! No more boxes. And you can also do it one way - and then change your mind.
Yes! Amen to that.
I'm still a good 40,000 words and multiple rounds of edits/rewrites away from facing that particular conundrum. Eventually, I'd love to see if traditional publishing is an option for the story I'm WIPing up right now. I'd definitely appreciate the help and expertise those more experienced than I would have to offer, to make the story/book/marketing as good as it can be. And, let's be honest, who wouldn't love to see their book, all nice and shiny, fresh off the press, still having that new-car smell, on the shelves at [insert bookstore of choice], wedged somewhere between Adams and Pratchett (I know I would!). Unfortunately, from what I've been reading (a LOT) about the current state of the publishing industry, from a "political" point of view, I gather that my "voice" (i.e. me, myself, and I, as well as my non-existent social media following) is not something that's en vogue or perceived as "sell-able" at the moment. Bummer. Oh well, back to writing...
Back to the writing! That’s all you can do. And when you’re finished, you don’t need to lock yourself into a decision right away. You can try the gatekeepers and if that doesn’t work there are so many other options! I would try to feel excited about the possibilities, instead of worrying about it right now.
So glad the stigma against self-publishing has lifted, Kristen! I self-published two of my seven books, and I did exactly as you wrote here: hired an editor, proofreader, formatting professional, graphic designer for my cover.
As long as you make them professional, nobody cares how they’re published!
Right!
Absolutely love your insight, especially how you decode and interpret silence from the gatekeepers. This was truly an enlightening read and very timely for where I am in this process.
So happy to help!
Great post! Thanks! For my first novel, I really wanted an agent. When I finally received requests for partials and fulls, I was ecstatic! But in the end, the book wasn’t for any of those agents, although I did receive valuable feedback and one agent was interested in future manuscripts. So, I signed a contract with a small press. Turns out, I needed to do as much work had I published independently, but with way less control and diminished returns. Now, I’ve come full circle and am back to wanting an agent for my current project. One thing I will never skip is the professional editing process, no matter which way I publish. I consider that cost an investment in myself.
The one thing that seems to be really benefiting you are options. You tried some thing that didn’t work out, so you’ll try something else! This is such a magical time to be an author.
Love this perspective! Glad "self-published" isn't a dirty word anymore lol. I self-published a personal finance book for metalheads because it was a niche topic I had an audience in, and figured a traditional publisher wouldn't publish a finance book written by a school librarian. The book got great press and reviews, was a finalist for a personal finance media award, and met my sales goals. But now I'm working on a children's nonfiction book that I'd like to publish traditionally so it can be in school libraries one day! I just finished revisions and have sent it to a topic expert for feedback. Then I imagine some more revisions and I'll start querying. :)
Good luck! It sounds like you are lucky to be able to try your books in different ways. I wish you the best of luck finding a publisher… If it doesn’t work out, it sounds like you already know how to sell publish successfully!
We’ll see! This one would be a full color book that would need illustrations or photos, idk if I want to go down that road alone! 😅 But it’s possible lol.
Anything is possible! It’s so great authors have so many options these days.