Monday, January 01, 2007

The first steps

Last year found myself sending out query letters and submission packets for Being Plumville to various publishers and agents. During the middle months of 2006 I put it on hold because there were financial issues, family issues, and writing issues (the good kind, as I was very focused on other writing, i.e. Reconstructing Jada Channing). I had gotten some good feedback, though I will forever be tickled by one literary agent rejecting the book because she didn't think the characters grew enough . . . though she had only read the first three chapters of the novel! If they grew during the first three chapters, what's the point of the rest of the book, hmm? The novel is a journey, after all.

RJC has gotten some very positive feedback as well. At the moment it's currently in the hands of three publishers, two of which have asked for more material. That's a good sign, after all, and I'm excited to see what will happen with it. That only leaves Being Plumville.

As of now, I have decided, set in stone almost, to self-publish Being Plumville. It's a scary thing to put up all that money, format it, build the book basically from scratch, and hope people like it enough to buy it. Scary, scary, scary. Scarier than sending it out to lit agents and publishers in fact. This is an investment that may not reap the returns I would like it to, but I believe in my work enough to shell out the dough. Formatting the manuscript, worrying about copyright, wondering how and who can review my book--right now I don't even want to think about it! All I see is that final product, that tradebook paperback or even hardcover . . . that novel with my name on it and the proof of two years' worth of blood sweat and tears.

I can see it in my mind's eye, and it is indeed a lovely sight.

3 comments:

LaVerne said...

Hey Sav,

Happy New Year! I've had the pleasure of reading some of RJC and I loved it! Good luck on getting a publication contract in '07 and thank you for all of your help and feedback on my own work.

Isis aka LaVerne

SebineDareau: said...

Hey Sav,

Just saying hey! Your writing is phenomenal(sp?) and I don't forsee you having any problems getting your work published!

Keep up the great work!

Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Heeeyyyyyy!
Ohhh, I like your blog. About time too!!!!
Just that you know, I'd buy ANY of your books in a second. You more than a good writer and if self publishing's the way, then I for one would be so grateful and want to put in my order of 10 copies...for now.....

Much much success will come your way. I FEEL THIS!

Chandra