Is there a very, very good reason I shouldn't...

[Diana Hignutt]

Here's the thing:

As many of you may remember, I had written I novel entitled Moonsword, and had the stupid misfortune of signing with a very disreputable agent and then publisher (long before I found this source of literary wisdom). Despite those setbacks, I earned some great reviews from legitimate reviewers, tons of press, tv and radio interviews, and a 2004 Spectrum Award Nomination. There are about 1,000 copies in existence. The book has become a very minor cult classic. I fought for and recieved my rights back.

Meanwhile, I had written another book, and (still not so very bright) I signed with a new, well-intentioned, small publisher for my sequel. (Hey, at least I skipped the bad agent part), Empress of Clouds. This book earned even more legitimate reveiws (PW, etc.), and more award nominations (2005 Spectrum Award, IPPY award, and Foreward's BOTY award). The publisher shortly thereafter switched it's emphasis to non-fiction, remaindered me, and next year I get my rights back. There are about 2,500 copies in existence.

I had finished the first half of the final book that was to complete my trilogy. A friend had then put in a good word to someone highly placed at TOR who was interested in Moonsword. Apparently there was some crazy communications problem, and two years later I still have heard nothing from them.

Here we are:

I began working on other projects, then had to take a hiatus from writing after my dad became ill, and I had to care for him and take over the family business (to keep hardworking 20 people employed). Things have settled down at work, I've become ascustomed to running the business, and I've again picked up the figurative pen.

Within the last two months I have recieved eight inquiries as to when I will be completing the series, and another three as to where one could obtain copies of Moonsword. This prompted a search to find used copies. Half.com is selling a used copy for about $100.00 US, and Amazon.co.uk is selling a used copy for 129.00 pounds. I did find other copies selling in the $40.00 - $80.00 range.

(At last) My Question:

Is there a very, very good reason I shouldn't self publish Moonsword, and eventually the rest of the trilogy? I feel I owe to my loyal readers, and, frankly to myself.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

[Perks]

I don't know nuthin' from nuthin', but if you shopped the above post around to a few reputable agents, I wouldn't be surprised if you wouldn't have to bother with all that.

[RedScylla]

Honestly, this is one of those rare instances that actually sounds like a good candidate for self-publishing...if you want to put in the kind of serious marketing and promotion work necessary to make it successful. I do wonder, though, about how much energy you'd be willing to put into it. You say you've been waiting to hear from TOR, but have you tried to make contact with any other reputable publishers or agents? You're in a very unusual situation, but if you're willing to put some work into it, there's no reason you can't turn it to your advantage.

Good luck!

[Michael Davis]

I think there's a key element you need to toss into your decision equation: Its called "Self Promotion Time"

I don't know how much time you put in with you agent/first pub team, but I doubt it was the same degree as a small press. I know I spend about 20 to 25 hours a week doing self promo on my books, and they're released by a very reputable, but small, press. God only knows want a self pub approach would entire. Just make sure your ready for it. Hard to do tons of self promo and write also, I've gone from two paperbacks a year to one, cause I just don't have the time available now to write.

[emeraldcite]

I'd go with agents first. With such limited print runs, you might be able to revive the entire series through a bigger publisher.

Tell them your story and the accolades. That'll perk someone's interest.

Good luck! All that hard work should pay off. I'm rooting for you.

[Susan Gable]

A friend had then put in a good word to someone highly placed at TOR who was interested in Moonsword. Apparently there was some crazy communications problem, and two years later I still have heard nothing from them.

!

Diana, I have no good answer to your basic question, but I just wanted to say to you, regarding the Tor two-years-and-still-counting-and-no-response:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

I've had work there for just over two years now myself. This seems to be part of Tor's S.O.P. (Standard Operating Proceedure.) I've heard of other folks who've waited several years to hear from them.

<sigh>

Susan G.

[regdog]

Considering your success with the first two novels I would say go through an agent for the theird and perhaps a new larger publsiher would re-issue the first two. Good luck

[Maryn]

I'll point out that Lawrence Block has POD'ed his early work which is out of print, in response to readers' outrage over the prices of the few copies available for sale.

Ideally, of course, you'd get an agent to get the attention of a legitimate press which would produce the complete series, or do the same yourself with publishers who'll deal with authors directly. If you can't make that work, I see absolutely no shame in self-publishing these titles. This is one of those rare occurrences in which it could be the smart business decision rather than a novice author deluding herself over the quality of her work or its marketability.

Maryn, thinking publishers would go for it, though

[Gillhoughly]

Hold off self-pubbing for the time being.

I've PMd you on this with an alternative.

The prob with self-pubbing is making sales. You need distribution, and people STILL like to go into a bookstore and look at covers.

A) you need good cover art
B) distribution
C) a publisher who will do this for you
D) a competent agent to get you on the map

The fact that you made two sales to two different small presses is going to COUNT with the pros in the business.

Don't go self-pub yet. You may feel you owe it to your readers, but you'll serve them and yourself better by getting your work into the stores.

Give my alternative a chance and some time to WORK! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif


PS, forgot to mention--you might (with a reprint) have the chance to tweak those first two a bit. I did that with one of my reprint series, adding nearly 50 pages of new material (it was needed!) to several of the books, and polishing the work as I went. Be ready to do that!

[Phaeal]

Yikes, with those creds, why aren't you inundating the agents with queries? Or, if you have, what's been the response?

If I were an agent, I'd be talking to you on the phone right now.

[Medievalist]

Diana re-try Tor.

Really. It's worth it. Use your post as a draft for a letter; contact whomever your friend dealt with, and start out with the Tor information, then summarize your publishing history.

And it's awfully good to see you posting again.

[astonwest]

I considered self-pubbing mine, for many of the same reasons, but ended up finding a small press who's taken care of me. I just couldn't see myself fronting the money to really do self-publishing right, nor taking the extensive amount of time it would require.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

[Diana Hignutt]

Thank you all! I have queried lots, and lots of reputable agents with this. No one has even had the basic decency to send a response in my SASE.

When Empress came out, Ethan Ellenberg saw it on the "Early Adopters List" on Amazon and contacted me. He read both of my books, loved them, thought I was very talented, but that the time was not right for me or my books (whatever that meant). Otherwise, as above, no agent would give me the time of day. I fear the stain of PA has rendered these books (and perhaps me) all yucky to good agents.

Thank you all for you kind input (on Labor Day no less). Please keep the input coming. I will weight all of this very carefully before taking any misguided action. All right then, it's back to the grill for me.

[JeanneTGC]

I agree with most of the others -- this still sounds like something a legit agent would be interested in.

Have you run your query through the Share Your Work forum? It may be that you need it punched up or reworked in order to grab the agents right away.

Also, perhaps choosing some conferences carefully and going and meeting some potential agents would be an option. It's amazing the difference when you're presenting yourself in person rather than via a letter.

No matter what, good luck!

[hammerklavier]

If I were in that situation I would start querying reputable agents explaining the situation and metioning all the great reviews, award nominations, and continuing requests from fans. You have your rights back, that means you can go through the traditional publishing process now.

So what's scaring them off? Try testing your query here. Personally, I'm as baffled as you as to why more agents aren't jumping on this. Maybe you should explain the situation to Nathan Bransford (in the Ask an Agent forum) and get his thoughts.

[Birol]

Whatever you decided, good luck, Diana. It's good to see you again.

[pdr]

think about self publishing UK style. It doens't have the vanity stigma because your work is selected and edited and you work with a company who help you promote and sell. Contact me for details of reputable companies and people to talk to.

[a_sharp]

Diana,

I've posted my SP story before, but I'll restate it briefly here because it appears to be called for.

I went the route of publishing, PODing, promoting, and distributing (locally) two mysteries for middle readers--because I wanted the young lady on whom they were based to see them in print before she reached voting age. It was a lot of hard work, no time for writing, and a big lesson in the business side of publishing.

The books were a moderate success locally and I got about 400 copies into the hands of real readers, adults included. Years later I wanted to present the books to an agent and was advised that no one would touch self-published works, not even for reprint. So they languish.

Your credentials, on the other hand, are an enviable advantage, and the story of how you got to this point should appeal to agents as proof you are marketable. In your place I would exhaust all avenues to regular publishing channels before resorting to self-publishing.

The fact remains that regardless of how it goes from here, you as author will have to do a certain amount of promotion to get a respectable readership. One of the best channels is the internet with a blog site to rap with readers and a personal site to build interest in existing and forthcoming projects. Without these, your loyalty to your existing fans won't amount to much.

Then there's personal appearances such as book tour, talk radio, even television. And that's a tough row to hoe. I've been there and done it, and believe me, it has nothing to do with writing and everything to do with knowing how to look good, think on your feet, and say interesting things about your books.

If you discount the promotion aspect, as many writers do who aren't comfortable in the public eye, you should reconcile your position in the writer pantheon accordingly. However, as a business person you sound capable and articulate, and I should think you could make promotion work on your own terms.

Just don't spend any money on any of this yet. :) Or should I say, Again?

All the very best to you.

[Diana Hignutt]

Thanks again to everyone who posted here or sent me PM's. I'll get back to everyone soon, but our server crashed yesterday at work and I spent the day fixing it. Today I have to do all the stuff I didn't get a chance to do yesterday. But, I wanted to make a couple of points.

I do very much understand the promotional aspect of writing. I obtained every bit of the press and media coverage for my two books. I made it on to national and regional tv shows, and have done well over 5 dozen radio intervews all over North America. I was, for about a year, the Marketing Director for a small publisher. I do get that it will be alot of work, and I'm prepared to do all that and more, even should I sign with a big time agent and publishing giant.

I've decided to follow-up with my contact at TOR, and try Gillhoughy's kind plan before I do anything else. If that doesn't work, I'll contact other publishers which some of you kindly suggested. If, and only if, all normal channels fail, will I then attempt a self-publishing venture to sate my long suffering fans.

You folks are the very best. I was wrong to dispair. Thank you.

[Diana Hignutt]

Yeah, I give the F*** up. As of 10/6/08, my wife and I formed Four Elements Press, LLC. We will publish a few metaphysical texts (some very old and never previously published that have recently come into my possession); and my fantasy trilogy (which contains much metaphysical content). I'm sorry, but I believe that no one in the industry will take the chance on these books, but yet I know them to be marketable. This fact is pounded home to me almost daily. DIY. We've already hired an editor (Kris Ryan, who did the edits for the Behler edition of Empress of Clouds) who is very excited. I'm tired of not hearing back from the agents I query, or from publishers who've had my book for years. I'm a businesswoman, and I can't and won't do business with people like that--well, at least, not for this trilogy. Don't worry about me: I've got very good business skills and instincts, book marketing experience, promotional experience, tv and radio, and bookselling contacts, and now an LLC. I'll be okay. Just thought you all should know. I'm finally optimistic about my writing again, and that's priceless. Look for the wholly revised, expanded edition of Moonsword in 2009.

[ChaosTitan]

Best of luck, Diana. :Hug2:

[dragonmedley]

Good luck! I hope things work out in the way YOU want.

[Telstar]

Kudos to you and the best of luck!

[Shweta]

Kudos and best of luck, Diana! I'm very glad to hear that you've made a decision you're happy with, and even more glad to hear that you've regained optimism about writing :)

[Deccydiva]

Good luck! It sounds like you are very capable of making this a success!