Mad Swede
Auror
It has always been possible to self-publish. Electronic publishing has simply made it easier, both to publish and to try to market your work. It also means there is a lot more competition out there, so even self-published books need to stand out in some way to get good sales.
As for agents, as a general rule you will need to go via an agent if you want your work to be considered by one of the big English language publishers. But, all these big publishers have exceptions to that rule, in that some of their imprints will accept unagented submissions. So will most small publishers and many of the medium size ones. As with anything else you do in writing, you need to do your research. Take the time to search for publishers, large, medium and small. Look at what they publish, buy a book from them to check quality. Read any submissions guidelines. Then consider if they're right for you.
How to get an agent? Well, I'd do a search for Piers Blofeld on the web and then watch his videos. You'll learn everything you need to know about submitting to an agent. I'm told he gives some limited personal feedback if you submit something to him.
So lets assume you get an offer of a publishing contract. If you haven't got an agent now is the time to get one, because you will need their help to ensure that contract offered is fair and proper. Don't assume you can judge a publishing contract yourself. Yes, getting an agent will cost you some of the advance you're being offered. But if all goes well it will be the start of a constructive working relationship which should lead to deals to publish your next books.
You signed the contract. Now you have deadlines, and you need to meet them. It can get quite intense, as you and the editor start to get the book into shape for publishing. It can seem an endless path, looking through the suggestions from the editor, discussing them, fine tuning your prose. It is worth it. But, you will need a lot of self-discipline otherwise you'll find yourself doing a few all-nighters to meet the next deadline.
And now your book is out there. Published. Available on the shelves. This is when your non-writing work really starts - and I write from experience. Your publisher will do marketing, and it won't be a press release (they don't work). They usually have specialist sales staff who promote the new books, and they'll arrange for review copies to be sent out. No, you don't pay for review copies - or at least you shouldn't. You'll need to support this marketing by being available for interviews. You'd be surprised how much traction you can get from interviews with reputable local and regional media organisations, and they are often very keen to speak to local authors. That leads on to book signings. And then the e-mails from your readers. And then the offers to judge writing competitions and run workshops. Visit to schools. Etc. It all starts to take time, time when you should be writing, working or talking to your family. It takes effort. But it can be a lot of fun and it is often very rewarding on a personal level.
Finally, be sure to read and follow Writer Beware. Particularly their blog. They've got the low down on all those dodgy and less than honest people on the fringes of the publishing industry who don't have your best interests at heart.
As for agents, as a general rule you will need to go via an agent if you want your work to be considered by one of the big English language publishers. But, all these big publishers have exceptions to that rule, in that some of their imprints will accept unagented submissions. So will most small publishers and many of the medium size ones. As with anything else you do in writing, you need to do your research. Take the time to search for publishers, large, medium and small. Look at what they publish, buy a book from them to check quality. Read any submissions guidelines. Then consider if they're right for you.
How to get an agent? Well, I'd do a search for Piers Blofeld on the web and then watch his videos. You'll learn everything you need to know about submitting to an agent. I'm told he gives some limited personal feedback if you submit something to him.
So lets assume you get an offer of a publishing contract. If you haven't got an agent now is the time to get one, because you will need their help to ensure that contract offered is fair and proper. Don't assume you can judge a publishing contract yourself. Yes, getting an agent will cost you some of the advance you're being offered. But if all goes well it will be the start of a constructive working relationship which should lead to deals to publish your next books.
You signed the contract. Now you have deadlines, and you need to meet them. It can get quite intense, as you and the editor start to get the book into shape for publishing. It can seem an endless path, looking through the suggestions from the editor, discussing them, fine tuning your prose. It is worth it. But, you will need a lot of self-discipline otherwise you'll find yourself doing a few all-nighters to meet the next deadline.
And now your book is out there. Published. Available on the shelves. This is when your non-writing work really starts - and I write from experience. Your publisher will do marketing, and it won't be a press release (they don't work). They usually have specialist sales staff who promote the new books, and they'll arrange for review copies to be sent out. No, you don't pay for review copies - or at least you shouldn't. You'll need to support this marketing by being available for interviews. You'd be surprised how much traction you can get from interviews with reputable local and regional media organisations, and they are often very keen to speak to local authors. That leads on to book signings. And then the e-mails from your readers. And then the offers to judge writing competitions and run workshops. Visit to schools. Etc. It all starts to take time, time when you should be writing, working or talking to your family. It takes effort. But it can be a lot of fun and it is often very rewarding on a personal level.
Finally, be sure to read and follow Writer Beware. Particularly their blog. They've got the low down on all those dodgy and less than honest people on the fringes of the publishing industry who don't have your best interests at heart.
