The desk is getting its own post because it's become a lot more important lately. Several years ago, I talked on the blog about the novel I was writing and the process of submitting it to agent. Well, I did submit, and I did get an agent, but it didn't work out the way I would have liked. While I do have some afterthoughts about the agent and the submission process, I also know now that the project she was submitting was not as good as it should have been, and that certainly didn't help matters.
It's been about 2 years since I got the book back, and during that time I haven't written much. I've done a lot of sewing, picked up a permanent part-time job, and bought and sold various pieces of real estate, plus the untold joys of moving house.
Now that we're settled, I've started hearing voices again. (These are the good kind, don't worry). Part of me would like to play with a shiny new project, but the bigger part of me isn't ready to let go of a book that I think is really good. So, for the last three weeks, I've been going through it chapter by chapter, doing a much more thorough edit than I did last time. I thought I did a good edit last time, but there's always more to learn. The book as it stands now is much tighter, and the pacing is much better. Or at least I think so.
I have about 4 more chapters to go, and then I think I will put myself through the submission process one more time. Because, hey, why not? If it doesn't work this time, I'm considering self-publishing. Because, also, why not?
What are your thoughts? Has anybody done this? Do you have any opinions on traditional publishing vs. self-publishing? Inquiring writers want to know.
3 comments:
If you go on Twitter, you can find a guy whose on-line name is Loose Screw. His real name is Paul McMahon. He lives in London. He wrote a book and self-published. I don't know how this works but he ended up on Amazon. If you need some info, he might be able to help.
I have no process info to share but I once attended a workshop by a woman who had published a well-regarded book. She said it was rejected by 53 different publishers before being accepted, so don't lose heart. A publisher can provide marketing it would be difficult for you to provide for yourself.
Fiona Ferris who blogs at How to Be Chic self published.
She offers how to course.
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