Now on second correction, rewrite of first novel. Should I look for an agent/publisher or self publish?
Replies
Novel was published in Jan 2013. Sales of "The Cost of Kindness" were not great and reviews very mixed but all were valid. Have now published second novel, "Lost and Found". Great reviews but sales have slowed after initial burst. Hoping that reviews will help to push a second round of sales. Subject of novel quite different from first one. This is a fictionalised version of a true story.
If you believe it's good enough for public consumption go the agent/publisher route while you make a start on your next book. The belief is important, because that'll get you through the inevitable pile of rejections.
If my own experience is anything to go by, getting either agent or publisher is a lottery, but if you don't try you don't find out. I got fed up in the end and self-pubbed, which doesn't seem to have stopped a publisher picking up the sequel. My hope is they'll do better because trying to promote your own book from outside the industry is hard work unless you have loads of cash to throw at it. It seems to me whichever route you choose you still have to be in the right place at the right time - agents won't necessarily place your book, and publishers won't always promote it. I sometimes wonder why I bother.
But we do though, don't we? Best of luck, whatever your chosen path.
I would never accept a publishing deal based on eBook sales. The publisher takes no financial risk and stands to gain if the book sells well.
Why should they profit for not investing in your novel?
I believe the author is not asked to pay any money in these sort of deals, but in my opinion it is still vanity publishing, albeit in another guise.
If a genuine publisher is interested there will be a paperback print-run.
The author will be severely disadvantaged if his/her eBook novel fails to sell. Agents and publishers can track sales. It is unlikely they will be interested in future novels by an author whose first novel sold a few hundred copies.
Unfortunately, there are many want-to-be authors who have suffered rejection. Some take it badly and will take any route to be published. Many will rue the route they chose when their dream fails to materialize.
John is right. Get your manuscript looked at by a professional literary editor or editorial service. If they consider the manuscript good enough to publish, then try and hook an agent. A good agent will get your novel published.
Novel was published in Jan 2013. Sales of "The Cost of Kindness" were not great and reviews very mixed but all were valid. Have now published second novel, "Lost and Found". Great reviews but sales have slowed after initial burst. Hoping that reviews will help to push a second round of sales. Subject of novel quite different from first one. This is a fictionalised version of a true story.
If you believe it's good enough for public consumption go the agent/publisher route while you make a start on your next book. The belief is important, because that'll get you through the inevitable pile of rejections.
If my own experience is anything to go by, getting either agent or publisher is a lottery, but if you don't try you don't find out. I got fed up in the end and self-pubbed, which doesn't seem to have stopped a publisher picking up the sequel. My hope is they'll do better because trying to promote your own book from outside the industry is hard work unless you have loads of cash to throw at it. It seems to me whichever route you choose you still have to be in the right place at the right time - agents won't necessarily place your book, and publishers won't always promote it. I sometimes wonder why I bother.
But we do though, don't we? Best of luck, whatever your chosen path.
I would never accept a publishing deal based on eBook sales. The publisher takes no financial risk and stands to gain if the book sells well.
Why should they profit for not investing in your novel?
I believe the author is not asked to pay any money in these sort of deals, but in my opinion it is still vanity publishing, albeit in another guise.
If a genuine publisher is interested there will be a paperback print-run.
The author will be severely disadvantaged if his/her eBook novel fails to sell. Agents and publishers can track sales. It is unlikely they will be interested in future novels by an author whose first novel sold a few hundred copies.
Unfortunately, there are many want-to-be authors who have suffered rejection. Some take it badly and will take any route to be published. Many will rue the route they chose when their dream fails to materialize.
John is right. Get your manuscript looked at by a professional literary editor or editorial service. If they consider the manuscript good enough to publish, then try and hook an agent. A good agent will get your novel published.
Good luck with your novel.