Going With Tradition

Some of you have recently asked why I've decided to try the traditional route to publishing HEMINGWAY'S GIRL after self-publishing RECEIVE ME FALLING. Here's why I made my decision.

SELF PUBLISHING

I self-published RECEIVE ME FALLING for a number of reasons. It was very hard for a first time novelist with no other publishing credits or audience of any kind to find an agent, especially when that novel crossed genre lines. I felt very passionately about the story, however, and had a number of friends and book clubs asking to read it. I also knew that since the book was partially set in Annapolis, I'd be able to market it successfully close to home. I knew I'd have to work very hard marketing the book whether I had a traditional publisher or not, so I decided to self-publish, see what kinds of sales and reviews I could get, and then try to get an agent in the future if I met success.

I've been very pleased with my decision and feel very thankful for the readers and book clubs who have so enthusiastically supported me and my book. I also couldn't have done it without the best husband, kids, and family ever.

THE NEXT NOVEL

In the meantime, I started working on a second novel set in Hemingway's Key West, started blogging, and started expanding my platform in writing by guest blogging, hosting litchats on Twitter, joining various writing organizations, and attending lots of writing conferences.  After about two years of writing, revising, and editing based on personal and professional editor feedback, I felt that HEMINGWAY'S GIRL was ready for publication.

I thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to self-publish. On the plus side, the book would be ready to sell within a couple of months, the book clubs I attended were eager to read another novel by an author who visited them, and I had great results with local book stores (indie and chain) who were willing to stock future novels for me. On the minus side, distribution of paper books was a challenge. I also felt that HEMINGWAY'S GIRL had much broader geographic appeal that my first novel, so I wanted it in book stores nationally, or even internationally. Finally, no matter how many great reviews or positive reader letters I received, I confess that I wanted professional validation.

THE FUTURE OF PUBLISHING & MY DECISION

Something else is weighing on my mind. With the simple ebook publishing packages currently available, I foresee a flood of inferior, self-published books hitting the virtual shelves. There's not going to be a lot of quality control out there, and I think that readers are going to look to tried and true publishers for a polished product.  I want my second book in that camp.

There are no guarantees. Even with an agent, finding an editor at a publishing house can be a challenge. Even finding an editor doesn't make the book in print a guaranteed outcome.  All I can do is work as hard as I can to write the best book I can, and pray for a little luck.