If you have written your novel-edited it, had it read by a few people-had it edited (professionally if you have the money) -redrafted-put it away and tried to forget it- done a few more edits-then are you ready to go? To try agents or self publishing? Most books fail because the writer wasn't ready yet-but when is a writer ready? Tell me, how you have known when you were ready to submit or try self-publsihing? What were the signs?
Hey, Michael - you don't edit enough! :)
No, seriously, I'd lived that book for three years and barely thought of anything else away from work. And I liked it: it wasn't perfect, because nothing ever is, but I thought it was pretty good. So when it looked like no-one else did, and when however much I edited I couldn't seem to make it better, I started to hate it. Actually 'hate' is a bit strong - it was more ambivalence, which is possibly worse.
Once I'd got over that I realised there were probably a lot of people who'd like it as much as me.
I think the second book's better, though ;)
Good question. I suppose this is a personal choice, only you can be happy with your own creation
On a personal note I hope I never get fed up of my book(s)
Hi Sonya,
I thought I was ready when I read my book back to me it went ...once upon a time the end..
But then I realised I had over edited it.
I had spent one year doing edits redrafts etc then decided enough was enough. Like John I've got pretty sick of hearing the story.
I did decide for personal reasons to self publish my book but in between I sent the MS out to some agents. Three of four months later I received the odd reply most didn't bother.
The sign that I was ready for me was knowing I could not edit any more. I had the manuscript proofread and sent it on its way.
Wishing you the best of luck.