Of course, many people joined the discussion and described similar experiences and offered lots or suggestions on what step to take next. The discouraged writer also posed the question about there being a secret to getting published, a magic ticket to the world of being a published author. Again, many of us have heard amazing stories about people being in the right place at the right time. But even if we save the life of a grateful agent or editor, no one is going to publish our work if it isn't a good story, well-written and structurally ready for publication. There is no golden ticket into the publishing world (unless you're a celebrity just getting out of rehab or prison).
Hard work and persistence will help you write your own ticket. You're probably tired of hearing about my book, The Marine's Queen, that is remaining in the top 100's, even the top 10, in three different categories on Kindle. I pitched that book years ago in a face to face with an editor for one of the big houses. She rejected it, never asked for the full manuscript even. I kept working and contracted numerous books with other indie publishers. Last summer I dusted the Marine manuscript off and did some rewrites and contracted it to New Concepts Publishing. Now it's the best selling
Smaller indie presses take chances on niche books, new writers and books off the mainstream. They can help you design your own golden ticket.
Have you ever had someone ask you what the secret was to getting published? If you're with a small press, do you still dream of one of the NY biggies calling you? Can you guess where publishing might be in five or ten years?
12 comments:
When I think of some of the advances my friends have gotten with "big" publishers and then compare it with the small but steady returns I get for books that are still selling five years later, I know I made the right decision.
I haven't had anyone ask me for the "secret", but people email me for advice all the time. As long as they promise to keep our conversations confidential, I'm always honest about the pros and cons about this business. I have a huge network of business contacts. I know where a lot of the bodies are buried. LOL!
All I write are niche books, which is why I never even tried going the agent route. I knew I'd be wasting my time. You are doing amazing with your book! I just checked the ranking and that is definitely one to be proud of! Well done, Susan.
I'm a believer in small presses. I doubt any big press would've taken on CassaStar, but I'm really glad my small publisher did.
Enjoy the best seller status! It's a fun ride.
Congrats on the status of your book; that's awesome! Of course I still want an agent and a big six pub and a three book deal. I'm like Julia Roberts. I want the whole fairy tale. But I'm also pretty happy about my book being picked up by a small pub (WiDo), to be published next year :)
Your success is very cool. I wish I had something more to add to the conversation but I don't. I'm still on staycation brain - bagel dough rising and I'm sorting through a pile of crap in our office - that we no longer need.
Cheers and Happy Weekend :-]
It's cool that you had success in this business. I'm still hesitant about putting my work out there.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
It really can be daunting to think about getting published-- congrats o your success
I know my work wouldn't fit with the big publishers, so I've never tried. I think for some authors starting out there doesn't seem to be another option apart from the big 6/5/4 (??). And then we all come along and offer lots of alternatives!
I think some of the niches are where the next big trends will come from. As you say the right time right place formula happens and it can be a difficult thing to predict.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
I imagine the path to the golden ticket is hard work and persistence. I know it isn't popular to say so, but in my experience that's the key to getting ahead in other lines of work as well. Now the golden ticket song from Willy Wonka is screaming in my head. :)
I'm not really into the big ticket. :) I'm not sure I'd be keen to sign with the Big Six (or any publisher) at this point, as I like doing it on my own. I just like having that control over the publishing process, no one to answer to, no deadlines hanging over my head! (No advances either of course, but I can live with that.)
Congrats on your book! Those are rankings to be proud of!
I'm not really into the big ticket. :) I'm not sure I'd be keen to sign with the Big Six (or any publisher) at this point, as I like doing it on my own. I just like having that control over the publishing process, no one to answer to, no deadlines hanging over my head! (No advances either of course, but I can live with that.)
Congrats on your book! Those are rankings to be proud of!
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