I have not been blogging much or spending much time online recently since life is taking over. Since my eye operation last year I also find that I can't spend hours watching the screen! There had to be a downside to having lazer surgery...Anyway, I wanted to share my recent online experience. I took part in the recent #PitchWars (an opportunity on Twitter to pitch directly to agents/ publishers) and was asked for a sample by a publisher. After sending a chapter, with a brief intro (took me 5 mins to write!) I expected not to hear from them ever again. But, a few days later they asked for the full manuscript. Trust me, this was shocking BUT... it made me suspicious.
In my opinion, any publisher worth anything should take some time to reply. The fact it was that fast made me wary. When I checked them online, they have only been in business since 2013 and have a limited track record at the moment.
For a new author, with no idea how to arrange eBooks, paperback themselves, etc, this is great. No upfront costs, editing advice, and they'd publish your eBook and get ready a print to demand paperback.
BUT, I effectively am just like them. I can do all of this myself. I guess I'm a publisher!
So, I sent them an email thanking them for the interest and basically said, 'thanks, but no thanks.'
To which they replied the next day, 'we have decided not to proceed with your submission'... erm, I rejected them!
So, it was the right decision.
New authors have to be careful. I would always recommend that you try to get an agent first, unless your book is for a specialist market. Also, if your book fits a niche, but will not be the next big read then this type of publisher might be ideal.
But, I have a dream... my book deserved to be in hardback form.If I can't get an agent and mainstream publisher, then I'll do it myself after all.
The good thing is that I have finished the first book in my new historical fiction saga. Now, the editing begins!
I have decided that it can't be one book after all. It's way too long.
I'll update as it goes, but watch this space... and be careful authors. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
All the best & have a great weekend,
Vanessa :)
Good principles, Vanessa! Sorry I haven't been here much either, but I'll catch up soon, dear. I sympathise about the eyes, I really do. I also have trouble since my cataract ops :(
ReplyDeleteI have all this to look forward to. Hopefully not for a while, as they are slow growing, according to my optician. They never said recovery would be a problem though. We need our eyes so much, it would be hell without them!
ReplyDeleteMy eyes just dry up a lot... or, maybe I've lost motivation! :)
ReplyDeleteYour health far outweighs the need to write. Plus you can get a tape/voice recorder and carry on anyway. Let someone else type it up for you. Kindle and other devices have text to voice if you want to review!
ReplyDeleteYou're too good to give up writing. Find other ways to carry on.
Hope your eyes heal very soon.
Gary
Thank you so much, Gary - it means a lot! I just figure there's no point trying to force anything... when things settle down I'll get back on the road again. I have a lot to be proud of already. Happy 4th of July by the way... (I always wanted to say that!)
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