Writing

MorningGlow

(15,758 posts) Tue Dec 20, 2011, 06:51 PM Dec 2011

By the numbers: 1 / 6 / 105 / 3 / 3 / 0

1 completed MS (women's fiction)
6 months
105 queries to agents
3 requests for partials
3 requests for fulls
0 offers of representation (but a LOT of praise)

And a whole lotta this:

I sure wish my talents lay elsewhere. Nuclear science, say...or banking...

8 replies

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By the numbers: 1 / 6 / 105 / 3 / 3 / 0 (Original Post) MorningGlow Dec 2011 OP

The physical book market is getting tighter, especially with the demise of book stores. HopeHoops Dec 2011 #1

Ain't that the truth MorningGlow Dec 2011 #2

I went through the same things before I went indie. nolabear Dec 2011 #3

I'm not against it! MorningGlow Dec 2011 #4

You'd have to market anyway onlyadream Dec 2011 #5

Yeah, I was hoping for professional guidance at least MorningGlow Dec 2011 #6

An author that I know onlyadream Jan 2012 #7

My numbers are similar sybylla Jan 2012 #8

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)

1. The physical book market is getting tighter, especially with the demise of book stores.

Reply to MorningGlow (Original post)

Wed Dec 21, 2011, 03:32 PM

Dec 2011

Magazines seem to still be booming, but getting a book published is a bitch.

MorningGlow

(15,758 posts)

2. Ain't that the truth

Reply to HopeHoops (Reply #1)

Wed Dec 21, 2011, 08:40 PM

Dec 2011

It's giving me major agita.

nolabear

(43,215 posts)

3. I went through the same things before I went indie.

Reply to MorningGlow (Original post)

Wed Dec 21, 2011, 11:16 PM

Dec 2011

It's a lot more fun having an actual book out there and having the problem of marketing it (and having actual readers praise it!)

And I'm making a bit of money too.

MorningGlow

(15,758 posts)

4. I'm not against it!

Reply to nolabear (Reply #3)

Wed Dec 21, 2011, 11:30 PM

Dec 2011

I'm a slug when it comes to marketing, though, so that's why I've been trying the traditional route. But when all doors close there, I'm off to e-pub for sure. Just have to give myself a kick in the seat of the pants to publicize myself.

onlyadream

(2,207 posts)

5. You'd have to market anyway

Reply to MorningGlow (Reply #4)

Fri Dec 30, 2011, 12:28 PM

Dec 2011

Even if you were picked up. I like to look at traditional books who've "made it" and check out their Amazon rates and nine times out of ten, they're in the toilet. The book business is a tough one. I say do it for the love of it.

MorningGlow

(15,758 posts)

6. Yeah, I was hoping for professional guidance at least

Reply to onlyadream (Reply #5)

Sat Dec 31, 2011, 08:53 AM

Dec 2011

and connections. I have no connections on my own, and I suuuuuck at networking.

This business is totally ridiculous, from first draft to remainder bin. But--sigh--I do love it (the writing part, anyway) and it's the only thing I'm good at. And I can't NOT write. So I guess I'm stuck with it!

onlyadream

(2,207 posts)

7. An author that I know

Reply to MorningGlow (Reply #6)

Sun Jan 1, 2012, 01:16 PM

Jan 2012

Got out of the selfpublishing slush pile by investing $700 in advertising. Now he got picked up by Amazon Encore and wrote several more books. He's doing quite well writing mid-grade books, primarily for boys (who don't have much out there to choose from). He's one local self publisher that did great.

sybylla

(8,655 posts)

8. My numbers are similar

Reply to MorningGlow (Original post)

Mon Jan 2, 2012, 12:05 AM

Jan 2012

Zero offers as well - but lots of praise accompanying something like, "It's just not right for us at this time..."

Definitely a whole lot of head banging.

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