So life seems to be very up and down at the moment, particularly with getting published. I've found out that The Follow is coming out in early to mid December, later than i thought but still well in time for Christmas, which is good news.
Also, i have a story in the Dark Pages anthology which is out now, and another one in the upcoming Brit Grit Too, presented by the reknowned Paul D Brazill.
The bad news, however, really sucks.
Having been unable to sell When Good Men Do Nothing, my agents, LBA, have decided that as it's the second time they've tried to sell one of my novels and it hasn't quite made it, that they no longer feel that our business relationship is viable.
They said that although they think i'm a brilliant writer, they can't seem to convince the publishing houses of this and as such i should seek representation elsewhere and they won't be open to any future submissions from me.
Somehow they've managed to make me feel guilty because my novel didn't sell.
I understand why they've done it; there's no point trying to keep selling an author who isn't quite ticking all the boxes in the current publishing climate, and an agent is only as good as the last book they submitted.
It's still a massive kick in the teeth though, and i'm struggling to see any rays of light in the traditional publishing world right now.
So for the moment i'll be concentrating on the books i'm releasing with Trestle Press, and working my moobs off trying to promote and sell The Follow.
I will also be working on a couple of novels that are part way through, but to be honest it's hard to feel motivated to write or get inspired when the big boys in the business keep knocking you back.
Had i submitted WGMDN a few years ago it would have been snapped up, but nowadays it's not enough to write a good novel, you have to, well, i'm not actually sure. If anyone knows the answer do let me know because it's starting to chew me up inside...
Fuck the traditional publishing world, Paul. I think your Trestle Press stuff and other routes are better ones to follow.
ReplyDeletePaul. You're just another writer who has been let down by the traditional publishing system. There are other ways to go ...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your support guys, without it i'd be wallowing in a huge vat of self pity :)
ReplyDeleteOh, poo! :-(
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that, Paul. Try not to let it get you down - you have both talent and youth on your side and one day you will prove them wrong!
In the meantime, go with Trestle - it seems to be the way forward for many writers at the moment, and mind you knock 'em dead!
Go boy, go!!
Blimey mate, didn't see that coming... I'm guessing that with a full list already, LBA must have some kind of time limit, after which they pull the plug, so to speak. Publishers may have lost confidence in the title by now, negating any point for LBA to invest time in the work.
ReplyDeleteDon't quit, whatever you do. There must be a REASON for this, be it the publishing climate or whatever. Something's not quite right, and it's evidently not your writing. Have a think about it, try to identify what it is about the novel that's holding it back. LBA obviously had high hopes for it, therefore publishers themselves were holding back. Whilst there's not much you can do about that, there's always the next novel
Writing only takes two things: a computer, and time ( much more of the latter than the former ). You got CLOSE, which means you can get IN. 99% of aspiring writers don't make it as far as you have, so keep plugging away. It's a hobby, remember, something that you do for enjoyment. It only becomes a career when you're signed. As heart-breaking as this rejection is, it's a lot better than being rejected without any of the subsequent editing and redrafting experience you've gained with LBA.
Keep at it mate, you'll get there in the end if you do.
Thanks Sue, i fully intend to concentrate my energies on the work with Trestle until i get my mojo back, then i'll start hitting the traditional publishing world again, hopefully with some strong sales behind me.
ReplyDeleteDean, thank you. I didn't see it coming either, i think they're just afraid to bet on what they think might be a colicky horse... Which i can understand when it's a business for them and they need to make a living too.
I think i know what it was that put the publishers off, and i think that i wasn't true to what i wanted to write and that showed through. We'll see, but i don't intend to quit. I'll keep fighting until i make it, but it's a godawful uphill struggle in very difficult times and it's one, very slow step at a time. I have a very different idea that i'm working on, and although it's not my usual genre i think it might work and be different enough to peak interest.
I suppose we'll see when i've written it!
Shit, mate.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel as my first attempt last year was rejected, despite glowing praise from editors (and TWO top agents loving it). As Dean touched on, I think the climate is crap for aspiring writers. You CAN write solid, gripping, publishable work, so you MUST continue with that knowledge. And you've a great support network to help keep yer chin up. Who knows, I might be in the same position next year... but I won't quit, and neither will you.
Best,
Col
Gutted for you, mate. Keep banging away, though, and don't give up. It's a hard business and publishing houses are having a hard time too. Keep going and something will happen.
ReplyDeleteAlso, remember the blood, sweat and tears you've leaked onto your keyboard. The hard work you've put into your novels. Don't give them up too easily. Hard work deserves a decent payback.
Good luck with everything. I'm at the end of an email if you need a chat.
Thanks Dave, i appreciate it! Hope everything is going well with you, and i promise you i won't give up!
ReplyDelete