Anyone in Publishing/Been Published?

[Carsomyr]

I'm sitting on a finished novel and in the midst of writing another. I've sent out query letters in droves, and have yet to even receive a request for a partial. I hear various dissenting opinions on the subject of publishing/querying, though there are the usual cliches that come part and parcel with dream-chasing, i.e. "don't give up!!!!!!!!!"

Maybe I'm just impatient. It's also extremely unusual for me to seek help from others, as I've tried to do this and other projects on my own (minus the editing process). But right now I feel like I've hit a dead-end.

So I'm just looking for hints or tips or something. I'm not claiming that I have the Unpublished Work of Staggering Genius or anything, but I believe that it's good enough for at least consideration. It's gone from a pipe dream of being a published novelist to "someone just READ the damn thing!"

Yes, a tennis forum is a strange place to post this in, I know. But it's certainly better than some literary hub where a hundred failed artists are all screaming the same questions at each other. And with all the talk on narcissism, Bardarbunga, Ebola - I figure, why not here? Also, feel free to poke fun. I've done it from an imaginary ivory tower to some of you on various topics, so now it's your opportunity for comeuppance.

 

[newpball]

Why not publish it yourself?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?topic=200260520

Or print on demand and sell through Blurb?

http://www.blurb.com/

:grin:

 

[Carsomyr]

Why not publish it yourself?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?topic=200260520

Or print on demand and sell through Blurb?

http://www.blurb.com/

:grin:

From what I've heard, self-publishing is increasingly the way to go for new writers, but still carries a bit of a stigma. Besides, all of the things that publishers do (besides putting your book in print), namely marketing - you have to do on your own. It's a risky venture. But thanks for your input!

 

[newpball]

It's a risky venture.

It does not have to be.

However do spend some time and resources on proper marketing. Books are not supposed to be judged by their covers but still people take it into consideration. Another thing to do is to use a lot of local resources. People love local authors. Get yourself known, present for free for a school, rotary club, get involved in literacy programs, etc, whatever works for you. Then see if you can get an interview in the local newspaper or a local website. Start small, grow from there.

 

[Carsomyr]

It does not have to be.

However do spend some time and resources on proper marketing. Books are not supposed to be judged by their covers but still people take it into consideration. Another thing to do is to use a lot of local resources. People love local authors. Get yourself known, present for free for a school, rotary club, get involved in literacy programs, etc, whatever works for you. Then see if you can get an interview in the local newspaper or a local website. Start small, grow from there.

There's a guy I know from the town I live in who self-published, with real, printed books even. His book was utter trash. He asked and even paid people to give him good reviews on Amazon. I just can't envision myself ever being THAT guy - but, I've done some reading, I might take it under advisement. Getting an interview with the local paper wouldn't be hard, I have a familial connection there.:lol:

 

[eldanger25]

Not in publishing, but I'd be interested to read your work if/when it sees the light of day. You've got a witty and irreverent posting style, and I'd venture a guess it translates well to literature.

 

[KineticChain]

If you haven't, maybe check out some subreddits on Reddit like Writing, WritingPrompts, or Books. Lot's of traffic over there for advice on specific subjects and/or shameless self plugs.

 

[Carsomyr]

Not in publishing, but I'd be interested to read your work if/when it sees the light of day. You've got a witty and irreverent posting style, and I'd venture a guess it translates well to literature.

Thank you. I guess, in many ways, this was a support thread, too. And you all will be the first to hear about it. If/when that day comes, the level of gloating will make Maxime look like the Dalai Lama.

 

[Carsomyr]

If you haven't, maybe check out some subreddits on Reddit like Writing, WritingPrompts, or Books. Lot's of traffic over there for advice on specific subjects and/or shameless self plugs.

I hadn't, and there's some very useful information over there.

thank mr kineticchain (again)

 

[Wynter]

Halfway through a novel myself atm, and I haven't given this all to much of a check because I'm focused on finishing first haha

From what I did look at, contacting agent companies is meant to be a solid option, they look at your work for free and if they like it, they have the connections to get you and your book further 'up the queue?" I guess you could say and are probably the best people to go through in terms of contracts.

Best of luck with it mate

 

[Carsomyr]

Halfway through a novel myself atm, and I haven't given this all to much of a check because I'm focused on finishing first haha

From what I did look at, contacting agent companies is meant to be a solid option, they look at your work for free and if they like it, they have the connections to get you and your book further 'up the queue?" I guess you could say and are probably the best people to go through in terms of contracts.

Best of luck with it mate

Thank you!

I saw in the #humblebrag thread that you had some work or another published? Congratulations!

 

[Sysyphus]

What kind of novel is it, if I may ask?
Your posting style is very amusing, so I can imagine it being worth reading – best of luck with the publishing process!

 

[heninfan99]

How many novels have you written? What's the genre?
Some genres have little chance.

 

[Carsomyr]

What kind of novel is it, if I may ask?
Your posting style is very amusing, so I can imagine it being worth reading – best of luck with the publishing process!

How many novels have you written? What's the genre?
Some genres have little chance.

Thank you.

Literary is the one I have completed, working on a suspense/thriller at the moment. And I have to think you're probably correct; from what I've seen, the agents who represent "literary" as a genre are a very small drop in an already pond-sized agency pool.

 

[Sysyphus]

Thank you.

Literary is the one I have completed, working on a suspense/thriller at the moment. And I have to think you're probably correct; from what I've seen, the agents who represent "literary" as a genre are a very small drop in an already pond-sized agency pool.

Aha, I see! Yes, I guess the market is biggest in the suspense/thriller genre?
Do you have any particular inspirations or favorite authors?

 

[Carsomyr]

Aha, I see! Yes, I guess the market is biggest in the suspense/thriller genre?
Do you have any particular inspirations or favorite authors?

Most of my favorite authors are from decades past, like Hemingway or Joyce. In more recent times, DFW and Danielewski are writers I really admire. The Thriller/Suspense is kind of a weird one for me, since I'm not particularly fond of Patterson, King, etc. I guess I wanted to do something kind of like Dracula, an epistolary thriller. It's a challenge, believe me.:lol:

 

[Sysyphus]

Most of my favorite authors are from decades past, like Hemingway or Joyce. In more recent times, DFW and Danielewski are writers I really admire. The Thriller/Suspense is kind of a weird one for me, since I'm not particularly fond of Patterson, King, etc. I guess I wanted to do something kind of like Dracula, an epistolary thriller. It's a challenge, believe me.:lol:

Cool! Yeah, the classics are often the best. Speaking of DFW, have you read Infinte Jest? It's currently on my to-read-list.

 

[Carsomyr]

Cool! Yeah, the classics are often the best. Speaking of DFW, have you read Infinte Jest? It's currently on my to-read-list.

I have, and it comes strongly recommended. I'm not a speed-reader, however, and if you're not, it will probably test your patience.

 

[Wynter]

Thank you!

I saw in the #humblebrag thread that you had some work or another published? Congratulations!

Yeah haha, it was a Year 12 Subject where we had to write a 6k story over the year, from there they read through them, selected some and published them, was quite happy it got chosen, out of something like 20,000 people which was great.

Thriller/Suspense sounds interesting, mine's more of an Adventure with elements of morality and religion tied into it.

Goodluck with yours

 

[Nuke]

One strategy to get that novel accepted by a real publisher is to try your hand at short fiction. Write a few short stories and send them out to the major literary magazines. No agent needed. If you can sell a few and get noticed, this gives you some ammunition to approach literary agents who might have some sway in getting your novel placed at a publisher.

(FYI, I have sold about 50 science fiction short stories to the pro and semi-pro SF magazines, and been approached by agents, but I don't have a novel to sell. I assume things work similarly for the literary genre.)

 

[Kotter]

I have recently self-published my graphic novel after going through the same experience that you are going through now (reeaching out to publishers and lit agents, but getting nothing). One of the reasons I decided it self-publish is because this has increasingly become a strong way to get the attention of a publisher.

I know that may seem counter-intuitive, but it has worked for many big-timers. Get the book out there yourself through your own means, and eventually someone may pick it up.

I did a kickstarter campaign to raise the funds to get an initial print run (600 books) that I sell through local indie bookstores, at tennis and comic shows, etc, and I have a nice-looking product to show publishers. I made a little website that I can direct people to, it's available online through places like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, etc.

I will post the book for sale in the classified section on this forum, by the way (Ugh!! I hate the marketing part too).

Please let me know if you have questions about my process. I am more than happy to share.

Scott

 

[Kotter]

By the way, if you want to check out info about that tennis book the website is

www.jackpotbloom.com

 

[Carsomyr]

One strategy to get that novel accepted by a real publisher is to try your hand at short fiction. Write a few short stories and send them out to the major literary magazines. No agent needed. If you can sell a few and get noticed, this gives you some ammunition to approach literary agents who might have some sway in getting your novel placed at a publisher.

(FYI, I have sold about 50 science fiction short stories to the pro and semi-pro SF magazines, and been approached by agents, but I don't have a novel to sell. I assume things work similarly for the literary genre.)

That's solid advice - every query letter I've sent always feels a bit empty without some kind of #humblebrag regarding previous publishing or mention of an MBA or the like.

 

[Carsomyr]

I have recently self-published my graphic novel after going through the same experience that you are going through now (reeaching out to publishers and lit agents, but getting nothing). One of the reasons I decided it self-publish is because this has increasingly become a strong way to get the attention of a publisher.

I know that may seem counter-intuitive, but it has worked for many big-timers. Get the book out there yourself through your own means, and eventually someone may pick it up.

I did a kickstarter campaign to raise the funds to get an initial print run (600 books) that I sell through local indie bookstores, at tennis and comic shows, etc, and I have a nice-looking product to show publishers. I made a little website that I can direct people to, it's available online through places like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, etc.

I will post the book for sale in the classified section on this forum, by the way (Ugh!! I hate the marketing part too).

Please let me know if you have questions about my process. I am more than happy to share.

Scott

Thanks, and congrats!

The thing is re: the bolded section - in one the reddits that I looked at courtesy of KC, a woman basically Kindle published some NaNoWriMo garbage baking in her hard-drive for some time. She admitted that the marketing, the kickstarters, the little things, etc. may have helped sales tremendously - but she was exceptionally lazy. And so am I. I think, maybe, I'd consider self-publishing once I've had an agent to appear half-way interested. Then I'd know I was at least on the right track.

 

[Kotter]

Gotcha. Good luck with the project.

 

[Gonzalito17]

Self publishing is quite simple nowadays, you have to do all the work and promo. Good luck with your books...

 

[Carsomyr]

Hello Mr KineticChain

I think I've decided to give Kindle Direct Publishing a whirl. But what I need is a cover. Given your prodigious photoshop and image editing talents, you're the first one to come to mind for such a project. The design I have in mind is relatively simple, I believe. And, of course, I don't expect you to do this for free. I can send you a message/email if you like with the details, if this is of any interest.

thank mr kineticchain

 

[KineticChain]

damn, you're lucky i lurk hardcore when i'm procrastinating. yea, shoot me an email.

 

[Carsomyr]

damn, you're lucky i lurk hardcore when i'm procrastinating. yea, shoot me an email.

Okay, let me do a half-assed attempt at looking at what kind of file and pixel size dimensions they require, and then I'll get a hold of you.

 

[Carsomyr]

All right, I got it figured out. BTW, I can't send you messages.

 

[KineticChain]

ok.. think I fixed it

 

[Carsomyr]

ok.. think I fixed it

Okay, sent you an email.

 

[KineticChain]

let me know if you got one back. got some funky signout message when I hit send