I’ve been haphazardly blogging since October 2010. That was right about the time I finished the first draft of my novel, THE MISTAKEN. Once finished, I realized I wanted to possibly pursue publication. Knowing nothing about the business, I set out on a long journey to learn everything I could. Part of that was this notion of building a platform, hence my blog.
Along the way, I’ve met some pretty amazing people, all of you included. This community of writers is like none I’ve ever seen before, or have ever been a part of. You will never meet a more supportive group. They’ve been there for me while I queried and revised, ad nauseum. They’ve helped me keep my spirits up during the darkest moments, when I thought I’d never reach any of the goals I’d set for myself.
What kept me going—besides an extraordinary amount of ambition and desire—was the fact that, little by little, I saw writers I knew and followed land an agent, sign a book deal, or find publishing success. It was heartening to know the dream could be realized, that hard work could pay off. Now, after two years, I’d like to share my good news with all of you:
I SIGNED A BOOK DEAL!
Yes, it’s true! But, just like everything else I do, it wasn’t through “normal” channels. You see, I’m a DIY girl. But I still wanted the traditional experience, to be traditionally published. Yeah, I needed that validation. But, though I still have several fulls and a few partials still floating around out there, I was not thrilled about restarting the querying process after a nearly nine month hiatus. And I was never going to self-publish. It’s just too much work, and I know nothing of that sort of thing.
So I decided to query a small press, a start-up newly formed over the notion that authors truly matter, that books need fresh, tech-savvy marketing and promotion from their publisher, someone who understood the e-book revolution (and wasn’t under the Department of Justice’s scrutiny.) With the DOJ attacking the agency model and e-books the wave of the future, I felt the direction of this small press was just the thing for me. So I submitted a query to them, and they requested my full manuscript.
Of course, if you read my posts here and here, you’d already know it hasn’t been smooth sailing. I had to overcome a significant obstacle. You see, my protagonist does a very bad thing, and it was hard for the publisher to get behind that. So they rejected my manuscript but said they’d be willing to reconsider should I ever make revisions. I offered a compromise if they’d allow me the same. Upon that offer, a deal was struck, and, while I did compromise, I don’t feel I had to compromise on my vision or on the story overall, its theme and journey. That will all remain intact. So, while I never did restart querying, and therefore never landed an agent, I did follow in my blogging buddy, Alex J. Cavanaugh’s footsteps.
I got myself a publisher!
...without an agent. I realize it’s not for everyone. Would I like to have an agent? Sure, who wouldn’t? They work hard for their clients. And maybe someday I will go that route, if I really need to. But I accomplished what I wanted, what I would have hired an agent to do. I saw Alex’s success and knew it was possible, so why not at least attempt the same route?
Sapphire Star Publishing has made me feel welcomed into their new and growing family of authors. They have a vision I can stand behind and feel proud to be a part of. They embrace new technology, as well as the mainstream. My book will be published in both e-book format and as a trade paperback. They will be teaching me the ins and trends of marketing, how to promote myself and my book, and, most excitingly, how to use Twitter! YAY!!
I do Tweet, but I’m not very good at it. I only joined in because my friend, Jennifer Hillier twisted my arm, but I can see it is an integral part of the publishing business now. So if you Tweet, find me here @NancySThompson. Or if you Facebook, visit me here.
When I shared the news with Jenny Hillier the other day, she said to me, "There are many paths to publication." And you know, she is so right. Well, I’d love for you all to accompany me on the next phase of my journey, because, even though I found a publisher, the adventure has only just begun.
And most importantly, if you’re still in the trenches, remember, if I can do it, so can you!
My first novel, THE MISTAKEN, an adult psychological thriller,
will be released by Sapphire Star Publishing on October 18, 2012
