Thinking on this further as I go into yet another rewrite of my novel. I know I have work to do on amping up the conflict. But I struggle with the message that every novel has to be "high concept". I wrote a book that I wanted to read, one that isn't considered high concept. I have no problem working with a smaller press. But will anyone even look at a quieter novel--if I'm not a literary genius?
Since...engagement, I will dip my very uneducated toe into the self-publishing debate. It does appear very very difficult with a lot of steps and hard work, but tbf I have seen a few authors be very successful with it. Their key though seems to be building an audience before they're books come out. I've seen some unique ways (and some obnoxious ones). Disclaimer, I have never published a book in any format, ever. I'm just a spectator who occasionally fantasizes about it.
Audience building takes a long time, and requires ongoing effort, and it's only a small fraction of that audience that will pay you money for things. For many writers, this is an entirely different set of skills from writing a book, and not necessarily one that they enjoy.... although if you are a writer who enjoys this, is good at it, and can keep up the ongoing effort of doing it along with the effort of writing a book, maybe this is a more workable path.
But you have to ask yourself, where do want to spend your time? If the draw is connecting with an audience, go build a big audience. If the draw is writing, write. It's tempting to think you can hold the book in your hands sooner by taking control and self publishing, but the reality is, the majority of self-published writers sell very, very few books. The industry has not changed as much as many would like to believe it has.
Despite what many self-published hopefuls may say, a huge number of books still sell in print and in book stores. For indie books, it's nearly impossible to get that kind of distribution, although sometimes you can do something if it's hyper-local or niche.
Also.... It's probably wise to be suspect of any claims to self-publishing success, not because it doesn't happen (it absolutely does for some) but because there is a large number of people out there preying on the dreams of writers.... there always have been. Basically, if they are selling something, be suspicious.
In any case, Lincoln Michel has written a couple of excellent columns on the myths of publishing recently. Check them out. It may be illuminating.
It honestly looks like an absolutely terrifying path to me as engaging to build an audience isn't in my skillset.
Its interesting you linked that article because I actually have it in todays lists of substack articles to read. In fact, I might have gotten to your article in a link of one of the ones I started with today. Not 100% sure if or which though or if it was from the article text or a link in the comments, as today is a fuzzy brain day and I would have started the chain with an article in my feed.
I saw in another comment that you write poetry, so I should probably note that the hand-sold, self-published poetry chapbook is part of a long tradition of poets, and is another exception to "I don't advise self-publishing," but then, I don't think anyone expects to sell huge numbers of books in poetry. (And no, I can't explain Rupi Kaur either.)
Thank you for this, Sonal. I am currently on Rejection #60 for my poetry. (I haven't even gotten to the submission stage with my novel yet...) Working on getting to 100, I guess. But, I haven't lost faith yet. My stuff will find a home somewhere...sometime...someplace. In the meantime: #buminseat #peninhand
Love this! It’s funny and smart and heartbreaking all at once! Thank you!
Thank you!
Thinking on this further as I go into yet another rewrite of my novel. I know I have work to do on amping up the conflict. But I struggle with the message that every novel has to be "high concept". I wrote a book that I wanted to read, one that isn't considered high concept. I have no problem working with a smaller press. But will anyone even look at a quieter novel--if I'm not a literary genius?
If every novel published was only either a high concept novel or a work of literary genius, there would be very few published novels.
High-concept novels may be more attention grabbing, but by no means are they the only ones being looked at.
Thank you! All the qualities of this advice are helpful—the humour and empathy both shine through.
Thanks for reading! Glad you liked it.
Since...engagement, I will dip my very uneducated toe into the self-publishing debate. It does appear very very difficult with a lot of steps and hard work, but tbf I have seen a few authors be very successful with it. Their key though seems to be building an audience before they're books come out. I've seen some unique ways (and some obnoxious ones). Disclaimer, I have never published a book in any format, ever. I'm just a spectator who occasionally fantasizes about it.
I appreciate the engagement. :)
Audience building takes a long time, and requires ongoing effort, and it's only a small fraction of that audience that will pay you money for things. For many writers, this is an entirely different set of skills from writing a book, and not necessarily one that they enjoy.... although if you are a writer who enjoys this, is good at it, and can keep up the ongoing effort of doing it along with the effort of writing a book, maybe this is a more workable path.
But you have to ask yourself, where do want to spend your time? If the draw is connecting with an audience, go build a big audience. If the draw is writing, write. It's tempting to think you can hold the book in your hands sooner by taking control and self publishing, but the reality is, the majority of self-published writers sell very, very few books. The industry has not changed as much as many would like to believe it has.
Despite what many self-published hopefuls may say, a huge number of books still sell in print and in book stores. For indie books, it's nearly impossible to get that kind of distribution, although sometimes you can do something if it's hyper-local or niche.
Also.... It's probably wise to be suspect of any claims to self-publishing success, not because it doesn't happen (it absolutely does for some) but because there is a large number of people out there preying on the dreams of writers.... there always have been. Basically, if they are selling something, be suspicious.
In any case, Lincoln Michel has written a couple of excellent columns on the myths of publishing recently. Check them out. It may be illuminating.
https://open.substack.com/pub/countercraft/p/more-publishing-facts-you-may-not?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=b61e9
It honestly looks like an absolutely terrifying path to me as engaging to build an audience isn't in my skillset.
Its interesting you linked that article because I actually have it in todays lists of substack articles to read. In fact, I might have gotten to your article in a link of one of the ones I started with today. Not 100% sure if or which though or if it was from the article text or a link in the comments, as today is a fuzzy brain day and I would have started the chain with an article in my feed.
I saw in another comment that you write poetry, so I should probably note that the hand-sold, self-published poetry chapbook is part of a long tradition of poets, and is another exception to "I don't advise self-publishing," but then, I don't think anyone expects to sell huge numbers of books in poetry. (And no, I can't explain Rupi Kaur either.)
Thanks! I needed that.
Anytime!
Thank you for this, Sonal. I am currently on Rejection #60 for my poetry. (I haven't even gotten to the submission stage with my novel yet...) Working on getting to 100, I guess. But, I haven't lost faith yet. My stuff will find a home somewhere...sometime...someplace. In the meantime: #buminseat #peninhand
That's the spirit!
Repeated rejections also have a way of helping you figure out which magazines and editors really get your work, and which have no taste at all.