I hope you don’t mind, but I’m gonna brag for a moment. My writing sister and critique partner just inked her deal with Omnific Publishing, and I couldn’t be prouder. She had a tough decision, though. She had two amazing offers — both the smaller independent publisher, Omnific, and an offer of representation from an agent. Saying the decision was tough would be an understatement, but I think she made the perfect choice for her and her awesome story.
Since we are celebrating the non-traditional paths to publication this week, I asked her to write about her decision. I think it is a common misconception that the only reason writers would choose to go self pub or indie is because they have no other choice. Trish is here to tell us that isn’t the case. They are viable options that many authors are choosing to further their goals.
Congratulations, Trish! Love you and can’t wait to embark on this new journey with you. Take it away girl 🙂
I’m so thrilled to be a part of Rachel’s Carving Our Own Destiny week! She’s done a phenomenal job. All the posts this week have been amazing! I’ve learned about marketing strategies, heard personal testimonies, and my to be read pile has grown. Congratulations to all the indie authors who’ve taken their own destinies into their hands.
When I first began writing seriously to get published, about two and a half years ago, I thought as soon as an agent read my query I’d be signed the next day. . . One thing I can say about rejection, we grow. We become stronger because of it. We hate getting it, but it’s an important process in becoming better writers. We HAVE to learn to accept rejection. After publication, that doesn’t stop.
Fast forward to where I am now with book number three. I began the querying process back in March, sending out batches at a time to agents. This time I knew I had THE book. This was the one the agents were going to toss their hats into the ring over. Uh, not so much.
Although one agent did make an offer—and I have to say, getting THE CALL was as nerve-wracking and exciting as I’d imagined—she wasn’t right for me at this time. We spoke for three and a half hours, and at the end of that conversation, I was very confused. See, I’d received an offer from a small publisher earlier that week. But I kept telling myself, I’ve worked for so long to get an agent, the agent is what you want. That’s the best way to get your book out there, through a bigger house. . .
The publishing world is changing people. BIG TIME. Big houses are turning down authors who have had multi book deals in the past—authors who have written amazing stories, but stories they feel they can’t place on the shelf. Agents who have been in the business for many years, made fabulous editorial connections, are finding they are turning to smaller houses to make book deals for their clients. The industry is just changing. I had to do some major soul searching to discover what was best for me and my story.
In the end, I chose to go with the publisher. Now, I’m not saying this choice is right for everyone, but you have to look at where the market is today, and where it’s heading as you’re considering. Ebooks are becoming the most popular way to read. Print books are being purchased online rather than bought in stories because bigger chains offer them at huge discounts. I honestly can’t remember the last time I walked into a book store and bought a book. I know, that’s terrible! But life is happening. Our time is consumed by our families, hobbies, work… So much of just everything, that when it comes down to buying books for the average person, it’s a matter of convenience, and also in this economy, a matter of price.
The publisher was offering me a sure contract of publication. And I feel I can grow as an author this way. I’ll have the chance to work one-on-one with an editor. I’ll work closer with a smaller press’ marketing department, and instead of my book releasing in two years, I may see it out in as little as six months.
If you’re to the point that you just can’t query any longer, but you don’t want to shelve that much beloved story you’ve slaved over, but you feel self-publishing isn’t right for you—maybe you don’t have the time to put the work in all by yourself—I’m here to tell you that there is another option. Submit to smaller houses. Yes, you will still have to market yourself. But you will have to do this any way you go. And a publishing house takes a lot of the pressure off of you to do everything alone.
My husband and I just started our own business. I was considering self-publishing, but with our savings being tied up in the new company, I wouldn’t be able to put my book out there for at least another year. If you’re in a similar financial situation, but want your book to reach more platforms than Amazon, I’d recommend ordering a copy of Writers Market. There are a TON of publishing houses listed. Also, Duotrope’s Digest has a search engine with many small publishers listed on its database. Another way is to simply check out your followers or those you follow. See who the authors list as their publishing house. Research them, see if they take unagented submissions.
But always, always make sure to check out the books the houses publish. Make sure your book fits in with their catalog. Read their guidelines and follow them. Give them as much respect when querying as you do with agents. And if accepted for publication, make sure you have your lawyer, or if you don’t have one, hire a contracts lawyer to go over the contract. In the end, make the right choice for yourself, don’t follow along with the old ways of thinking when it comes to publishing. Do what is right for YOU.
Thank you for reading my very long ramble. I hope I’ve offered something to this awesome week of indie love!
Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA novel THE CRYSTAL PENDULUM, a Steampunk/Paranormal Romance to be published by Omnific Publishing within the next year.
She’s also the mother of a thirteen-year-old boy who serves as a sounding board for her male characters, the wife of a husband who serves as an example on what NOT to write for her character’s love interests, and she’s a business owner. She’s a proud member of Kappa Delta Writer, YALITCHAT.ORG, SCWW, and the creator of the YA book blog YA Bound.
Hop over to her website to find all the ways to follow her exciting journey!
