I'm now planning on self-publishing, unless I hear unexpected news from one of the as-yet-unresponsive agents I've queried. I've set a tentative release date in mid-June, since I need the structure of a deadline.
There are a bunch of plus-sides to this. I'll get the book out this year. Two books, actually, since my business model works better if the sequels come out fairly rapidly. I keep creative control over the cover art. With POD services, I don't have to shell out big bucks for a vanity press.
It still feels like I'm punting, though. I have to remember that Christopher Paolini self-published ERAGON, then got picked up by an agent, got a big publisher, and ended up with a movie deal. It can happen. And, IMHO, MINDER is much more original than ERAGON (which was still an entertaining read, despite the obvious draws from Anne McCaffrey, Tolkien, and the Star Wars Trilogy).
"Success" for the self-published simply means that they get into the agent-publisher system through the back door.
So, now I'm looking for publicity and marketing opportunities. I have the book trailer and the website in the works. If you (or someone you know) does book reviews for your blog, newspaper, artsy underground newsletter, etc., please email me a mailing address and I'll send you one of the advanced reader copies once they arrive. I'll also have a virtual launch party here in the blog, as well as contests and giveaways and all. If you know of some good YA fantasy fansites, post a link below, and I'll spring for ads there. I'd love to hire a professional publicist, so please post of link or something if you can recommend anyone.
Oh, and for follower appreciation, I'll send signed copies to any of my first 20 followers who email me with their mailing addresses.
Thanks for signing up.
Thanks for reading the blog.
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for being there from the start.
Feel free to email now; I'll keep a "to mail" file, and make sure you indicate your screen name, if it's unrelated to your real name. Also include the name to which you'd like the copy signed.
My request for early-copy-receivers: please read the book before the release date. If you like MINDER, tell your friends about it. Write about it in your blog; post a highly-starred review on Amazon; that sort of thing.
Then, if MINDER hits the big-time, you can always hit me up for a blurb for your own book.
8 comments:
Don't put your home address here. Who knows what kind of weirdos read my blog?
Present company excluded, of course. :)
Aww, I'd love to get a signed copy from you! I'll e-mail you my info shortly! Good luck, I think it will be a great hit!
Thanks, Steph!
Save a copy for me. I'll e-mail my address soon.
Have you considered e-books? They are becoming quite popular. If e-publishing is an option, then you should know an e-book publisher follows my blog (aspiringnovelists.blogspot.com). Just click on their icon under the "followers" section for more info. I know this publishing house is interested in helping new authors.
I wish you all the best on your novel.
I would like a copy. I don't do much in the way of reviews on my blog and I don't have a good track record of liking the books I most want to like! But I'll do my best and I'll happily point people over here once you get a competition up and running.
Are you going with Lulu? They seem pretty good.
Hi fairyhedgehog,
It's a call between Lulu and CreateSpace. I've used Lulu for a couple of projects and I like their quality. But CreateSpace is a subsidiary of Amazon, so it ties into sales through the Kindle and Amazon.com. I may do a sample book on each, then decide. I'll be using InDesign for the layout, to make the interior look professional, and I've already photoshopped a possible cover (http://www.katekaynak.com/writing/theganzfieldseries.html).
There's a learning curve, to be sure. My biggest concerns, though, are publicity and marketing. How do I get word of my book out without spending a ridiculous amount of money?
Andrea, thanks for the link! I know I want to offer an e-book option, and right now I'm leaning toward the Kindle option.
You should also look at Lightning Source - they are a division of ingram books and gets you into al the book trade - ingram, amazon, b&t, etc. LSI is strictly a printer so there is not hand holding like with CS or Lulu, but they are the printer used by most of the vanity presses.
As to marketing, I have a lot of resources on my site. www.carolwhitemarketing.com
Thanks Carol,
I'll check out your site!
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