Admittedly, I haven't been posting much, but worse than that, I can't remember the last time I posted about writing. Seeing as it's listed in the title/description of the blog, I figure there should occassionally be an entry. So here it is...
I have (kinda/sorta) started an agent hunt. At this time, I'm only querying those agents who accept e-queries and are listed as being interested in seeing chick-lit. (If anyone has any suggestions, I'd welcome them...)
At the same time, I'm wondering if the agent route is really my best bet. Time from contract to publication is getting to be longer than a year, and Harper Collins is experimenting with an imprint with a striking resemblence to Print-On-Demand. So...I'm left to wonder over my options: whether I should fall back on my own personal block of ISBN's, my own press, and all the hard-won knowledge that came from self-publishing in 2004 or to try my luck with the traditional route.
My book is not POD--I went through a printer, ordered in bulk, and am now the warehouser, publicist, marketer, contact person, and gopher for the book and my press. It's been a lot of work. But... I'm in total control. Allowing for review copies and early reviews, I can get a book out in five months (or less) from the moment I decide I'm done. I control the cover, the content, and everything else. But that route takes a healthy amount of confidence (or maybe just courage). There's no agent and no publisher standing behind me. It's just me.
And so...I waffle. But while I waffle, I'm exploring my options.
Monday, April 07, 2008
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7 comments:
There's nothing wrong with waffling sometimes! Being thoughtful sometimes helps us to see problems before they start.
I've thought about doing a print-on-demand book, since my husband works in a printshop and all....
Waffle my friend- it's good for the soul. I think in the end it comes down to what you want from the process. The traditional route is easiest for distribution etc. but there is no doubt you lose control.
For what it's worth I adore my agent, Rachel Vater at Folio Literary.
It's not always waffling if you're making a major decision...Beck is right! As you said, publishing yourself demands a lot of you, resource-wise, and sometimes it takes awhile to decide if that's how you want to invest your energy.
it's a lot to tackle, i'm sure. did you have any luck with the info/numbers i gave you? let me know what else i can do!
Big decisions. Big decisions. A lot of agents take e-queries now. So, yay, for that. Where are you in terms of finishing your current wip? As in, can you let this simmer on the back burner for a few months? Sometimes things become clearer just with the passage of time...
p.s. Like Eileen, I can't speak highly enough of Rachel. :)
This is a really interesting concept and you're really the only person I've seen who's laid out the pros and cons of the processes. I wasn't really aware of how self-publishing works as I haven't researched any of it! I like Barrie's suggestion... just let it simmer for a while and I'm sure it will become more clear. I think if you gave yourself more time you'd start to figure out where you want your engery and time to go!
I think you should definitely do a POD book, Beck--seems like it would be a perfect fit.
Barrie, I'm pretty much done, but I'd like to have a decision made by, say, June 1. Not too much time left...
Thank you all for the advice. I will ponder some more...
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