Submitting a book to new places?

[jessicathomas]

Bethany, I'm starting a speculative fiction small press. Here's a bit of an introduction, with some links included

jessicathomasink.com/blog/while-female-speculative-fiction-writer-seeking-male-beta-reader-of-undefined-race-a-mixture-is-fine-too/

I'm still debating how to handle long fiction, but my initial thought is a sort of co-op, co-marketing endeavor. "Self-publishing", I guess you could say, but as part of a team and under a brand that will help boost the sales and legitimacy of everyone involved. And "acquisitions" to occur via invitation or referral (and perhaps later via manuscript submission). This way, manuscripts have to be vetted and scrutinized. In other words, it's not as though everyone with a finished manuscript can play, but there will be quality controls in place.

[Bethany J.]

Thanks, Jessica!

[Frank Creed]

www.splashdownbooks.com/about-splashdown/write-for-us

[Kessie]

I'm considering hiring an editor and just going self-published. From what I've read (and James Scott Bell is a big proponent of self-publishing), if your work is good, get it out there and write the next one. Hugh Howey had a ton of novellas out there before Wool went viral. The point is to have a lot of stuff and for it to be good.

[Christian Soldier]

I can agree with what Kessie said, and more. Farm your work out there. Keep sending it out. Get an agent. But there's no use in waiting to hear back! Write the next one. If no one wants this one, then self-publish and drive on. Paolini did it, and he's wealthy long before he has any right to be.

[fluke]

I have found some great information on self publishing. The same information can be used for those setting up a small press. Here is the chapter breakdown:

Some of the earliest decisions a publisher has to make can be changed down the road easily. Some are difficult to change. So, I’m going to break down some of these early decisions into basic groups. And keep in mind, there are no correct answers on any of these decisions. Just what you want to do.

Chapter One: The Early Decisions
You are the publisher. And it’s your business. Always remember those two basic elements and you’ll be fine.

Chapter Two: Expected Costs

The first chapter was “The Early Decisions” which included picking a business name, setting up checking accounts, and so on. There were no real costs at all in those early steps unless your state had a small fee for registering a business name. Checking accounts are free, so are PayPal accounts, and so on.

So, the question on this second basic business-planning chapter is: “What are your expected costs?”

Chapter Three: Projected Income

To actually get a profit-and-loss calculation for a book project, you must now make some pricing decisions and projections of income.

Yeah, I know. I know. This is all so new, how can anyone predict how much money they will make on any project? Well, you can’t. Not really. But you can try. And you want to know a dirty little secret. New York traditional publishing can’t predict how much they will make on any book either.

Chapter 4: Production and Scheduling

The first three posts in this series were designed to be a unit and help you get set up as an indie publisher. You should have a business name picked out with a web site domain reserved, understand your upfront costs and have made decisions on how to deal with those costs. Then you should have done a rough guess on income and when each project might break even.

If I had to summarize those first three chapters, I would say this: “Be prepared, set up correctly, keep your costs down, and understand the possible cash flow.”

So the next logical step is the question: “How Do I Get My Books Out To Readers?” In other words, how do I produce and distribute my book? You can’t have distribution without production, so I am starting with production right now.

The first major steps in production are inventory and scheduling.

So to really think like a publisher, you need to understand publishing lists, deadlines, and how distribution must be planned far, far ahead of the actual launching of books.

Chapter Five: Return on Investment

As a professional writer, when I am asked by another writer what they would be better off writing, my standard and correct answer is “Anything you are passionate about. Any story that motivates you. Any topic that scares hell out of you or excites you.”

And when asked “What’s the best length in this new world?” my answer has been “Whatever length the story demands.”

Those are my writer-to-writer answers and they are correct. No second thoughts at all. Those answers come from the art of writing. Those answers come into play for all writers and should be followed where possible by all writers. Those answers will help a writer find their best work, their best art.

That is my opinion, my answers, and I am sticking with them as a writer.

Now… let’s switch hats and think like a publisher. Or better yet, the accountant working for a publisher. And that’s where this chapter is going to be a problem for some people.

This chapter is my attempt to answer all the questions I keep getting about what length is better because my writer answer sure doesn’t seem to satisfy some people.

And now back to work. A client came by and decided my SAN score is too high. My boss came to talk to me after he left. He thinks my SAN is WAY TOO HIGH.

[J Jack]

As a side note, and some slight self promotion, I have begun the creation of a small publishing company up here in Canada. It is my deepest hope that we will be accepting manuscripts and submissions in the new year.

[Kessie]

Fluke: I've been chewing through all those steps, myself, and they've stopped scaring me. I used to more or less be self-employed, and this is more of the same. Except I'm a tiny bit more savvy this time, and I think marketing is fun. Heck, I'm beginning to find all aspects of the writing/publishing process fun. It's a long, long game, but I'm prolific enough that I think I could make it work.

J: Good luck to you! Make sure you have good editing and good cover artists. There's one small press I know that has THE WORST of both. I'm so embarrassed every time they put a new book out.

[J Jack]

Aha, thankfully I have some extremely skilled editors and artists on board. Far greater than I could have ever hoped for.

[Bethany J.]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I really appreciate it.

Honestly, I still can't bring myself to even consider self-publishing (yet). I can't figure out if it's arrogance, humility, or just plain stubbornness. Hahaha. As an ignorant teen I told someone years ago that I would NEVER EVER self-publish. More recently I've realized that some people just do it because they want to, or the publishing world doesn't see the value in a story that is actually quite good, even if it doesn't fit their "sellable" ideal. Not everyone does it because they think their lousy book is the best thing ever. But I still feel like giving my own work that kind of thumbs-up would be narcissistic and result in a big fat failure and money down the drain. I mean, I'd rather never publish traditionally than publish myself and get...crickets, broken by a few overly-generous reviews from close friends and family. *chirp chirp chirp* Know what I mean? It scares me.

I'm also not sure I could handle the amount of self-promotion and money required. Good cover art, etc. is extremely important to me. That takes $$$.

[Kristen]

I have a post here: newauthors.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/christian-specfic-publishers/ listing small publishers who publish Christian SpecFic and don't require the author to have an agent. Some of them are repeats from Morgan's list.

In comparing notes with other Christian SpecFic writers, I find that most of us get the same reaction from agents: "There's just no market for that." Which is clearly bogus, so I've decided that this phrase is agent code for "the market for that is too small to be worth my time."

Which doesn't mean you shouldn't pitch agents when you get the chance. Just be prepared for rejection, because that seems to happen more often than not. But they often give feedback with the rejection -- as someone noted about Steve Laube -- and that kind of feedback is valuable.

Keep learning and be persistent. The road to publication -- whichever road you choose -- is long and difficult, but the journey is worth it.

[Bethany J.]

Thanks, Kristen! My main WIP is quite unusual and I really feel like it will get a skeptical response from agents/publishers, even though it is dearest to my heart. I have other projects that are more marketable and suspect they would be sold first when I eventually publish, Lord willing.

[beckyminor]

Jul 23, 2013 20:13:26 GMT -5 Kessie said:

Fluke: I've been chewing through all those steps, myself, and they've stopped scaring me. I used to more or less be self-employed, and this is more of the same. Except I'm a tiny bit more savvy this time, and I think marketing is fun. Heck, I'm beginning to find all aspects of the writing/publishing process fun. It's a long, long game, but I'm prolific enough that I think I could make it work.

Prolific seems to be the name of the game, doesn't it? it all has to do with the long tail of one book generating a little income here and there while the spikes of the new books give you profit they can from their initial spike. The little sales bump on old books that comes from releasing a new one doesn't hurt either.

J: Good luck to you! Make sure you have good editing and good cover artists. There's one small press I know that has THE WORST of both. I'm so embarrassed every time they put a new book out.

Yeah, the bad covers from small presses give me fits as well. Nobody wants their books to be judged as hokey before anyone even reads a word. But the fact is, if an author isn't ready to sink several thousand dollars into self-pubbing a book (for editing and cover art) the chances of the book being up to market standard aren't great. Yes, many of us have wonderful friends who help us through the critique process, but a good, impartial edit is essential. We have a way of loving our friends darlings almost much as we love our own, as much as we try to be discerning.

[almarquardt]

Bethany, your words mirror my own questions and shyness from self/ vanity publishing, so much so it's almost creepy.

It's been almost two years since I've thought about getting my book out there (losing both parents within 18 months of each other sucked all the inspiration and motivation right out of me). Not intending to eke out sympathy from any one, because I know I'll see them again. Mostly it helps to admit why I haven't been able to write. That said, another good resource is The Christian Writers Market Guide. The book lists both publishers and agents by genre, and the listings are fairly well-vetted.

[Bethany J.]

Almarquardt - It's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels that way! Thanks for your suggestion on the market guide. I've heard of it before and I should look it up.

"Real life" can really suck the writing inspiration out of us, can't it? I pray the Lord will continue to grant you healing and restore your motivation in His perfect timing.