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Writing Group / Re: Advice on Moving Forward
« on: June 20, 2011, 12:16:15 PM »
You raise some interesting points.
I would have to say my motivations for moving forward are achievement (hey, I'm a published author) and recognition (making a name for myself). Making money is not really an issue, though I would like to break even at the end of the day and be able to afford ramen noodles. I am making a career out of novel writing, so I can force myself to be patient if I must. I think.
I did not know that there are some agents who would not work with a self-published author. That is something to consider before I make any decision. Looks like there's more than one stigma to be concerned about.
When I say "first time author", I should clarify that this would be the first one I want to have published. I've been writing for 2 years now, but scrapped an earlier project that had gotten up to 200k because it wasn't right for my first book.
Published authors published because they love to write... hm, that's definitely me... though I'm not sure I'd be happy if a manuscript were destined for a drawer. I want people to read the story because it's good, and when I say good I'm holding it up against the likes of succesful, published authors I enjoy (and hoping I'm not delusional and blinded by ego).
As far as self-publishing goes, I have a call set up with CreateSpace this week. I've already done all the leg work, interior formatting, and have a friend (professional artist) working with me, so there's not anything stopping me from launching this way. It would be just an issue of marketing and word of mouth to get my story out. I'm writing a 12-book series (I didn't mention) and I think an agent would balk at signing a first-time author for one of those.
I would have to say my motivations for moving forward are achievement (hey, I'm a published author) and recognition (making a name for myself). Making money is not really an issue, though I would like to break even at the end of the day and be able to afford ramen noodles. I am making a career out of novel writing, so I can force myself to be patient if I must. I think.
I did not know that there are some agents who would not work with a self-published author. That is something to consider before I make any decision. Looks like there's more than one stigma to be concerned about.
When I say "first time author", I should clarify that this would be the first one I want to have published. I've been writing for 2 years now, but scrapped an earlier project that had gotten up to 200k because it wasn't right for my first book.
Published authors published because they love to write... hm, that's definitely me... though I'm not sure I'd be happy if a manuscript were destined for a drawer. I want people to read the story because it's good, and when I say good I'm holding it up against the likes of succesful, published authors I enjoy (and hoping I'm not delusional and blinded by ego).
As far as self-publishing goes, I have a call set up with CreateSpace this week. I've already done all the leg work, interior formatting, and have a friend (professional artist) working with me, so there's not anything stopping me from launching this way. It would be just an issue of marketing and word of mouth to get my story out. I'm writing a 12-book series (I didn't mention) and I think an agent would balk at signing a first-time author for one of those.