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Advice on Moving Forward

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inkling:
I wrote a book.  It's good.  I want to move forward with publishing it.

Unfortunately, I'm a first time author, and I feel a bit of stigma.  I've almost compelte sworn off the idea of sending off query letters to literary agents and am currently leaning towards using a self-publishing service like CreateSpace just so I don't have to sit on my hands long.

Does anyone have any thoughts or personal experience that could lend some light to my decision making process?

fireflyz:
I would ask why you want the book to be published.  Is it because you want to be able to say that you've published a book?  Is it because you hope it turns into an internet sensation and you become a big name?  Is it to make money?  Is it because you feel you absolutely must share this story with the world?

The reason I ask is because first time authors in general, rarely become published.  Secondly, self publishing is a lot of hard work and often times for very little gain.  So if you want to publish it just to say that you have a published book or if you just feel you need to share it...then that's fine as you're not likely to be disappointed.  If, on the other hand, you are hoping for all of those other things, I wouldn't reccomend self publishing.

Writing Excuses has several great podcasts on selfpublishing, including one with Larry Carreira (Pretty sure I mangled the spelling of his last name).  He self published something like 6k copies of his book.  BUT, and this is important.  He had a successful blog tailored towards a small, specific group (gun enthusiasts) and so he wrote a book for that group.  Also, once Baen Books offerred him a deal, he took it.

Another caveat is that many agents will not handle a new author who has self published.  I've read this on several agents blogs and had a few tell me so in person.  Others will still handle a new author, but not that particular work.

Finally, I think it's awesome you wrote a novel.  That's not something a lot of people can say.  Unfortunately, there are still many that can say that, but can't say they have a deal with a publishing company.  My question is:  how many people can say they've written 3 books, or 5 books, or 10?  The few that can say yes to that are likely published authors.  It's my belief, that rare instances aside, published authors are published because they love to write.  THey'd be writing even if the manuscript was destined to be put in a drawer and never seen because no one liked their work.  And you have to have that mentality to get published.  Because there's a lot involved.

Definitely research self publishing if you're interested in that route.  My suggestion would be to write some query letters for your work and a synopsis.  Those aren't nearly as easy as they sound and it will force you into some new disciplines.  Then send them out and while you're waiting, begin writing another book.  It will be infinitely better than the first and when you go to write those query letters it will come easier.  Repeat this process until one day you're getting requests for more...then it's just a matter of time.

inkling:
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.

Juan Dolor:
If this is the first of twelve, don't self-publish it.   You want someone else to publish all twelve, and some people won't want to reprint it.  So don't close any doors.  Keep writing, keep moving forward.  Most of the authors I have heard talk about this say it takes several years (5-10) of serious writing to get a deal with a publisher. 

And listen to the writing excuses podcast-- especially the ones about the business of writing, including the previously mentioned one with Larry Correia.  Published writers are your best source of information.

Juan Dolor:
Of course, I have only published one short story, not a novel.  I haven't even finished writing my first novel.  So maybe you shouldn't listen to closely to me.  :)

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