I Think I Just Sold Another Book

That’s… That’s the third one this year!

I’ve you’ve followed my blog at all this year, you know Ive been calling it my Year Of A Thousand Projects. The whole idea was to try my best not to write anything new, and instead focus on going through my back log of old projects, first drafts and manuscripts I had lying around in drawers (cloud-based drawers, mostly), and get them up to a certain state and quality where I felt I could use them for something.

Now, I wasn’t able to not write a few short stories here and there – which I submit rigorously to e-zines and indie publishers, but all in all, I managed to keep my hands away from fresh, exciting new writing.

There were four major projects: one horror novella, two novels (one in English, and one Norwegian) and one massive science fiction thriller. I’m still working my way through that huge, science-fiction thing, because it’s proven to be one of my biggest, most difficult things to revise and work through, but the three other ones I managed to get through fairly easily. Through out spring and summer, I actually managed to make a plan, stick to it, and get stuff done! That was very rewarding in and of itself, because one after another I could put things aside and tell myself I finished things.

What was even more rewarding was when people wanted to buy these manuscripts! I sold two, TWO!, the English and Norwegian novel, within three weeks of each other! I actually signed the contracts for them both on the same day.

The horror novella however, the first that I finished and the first that I sent off to potential publishers, I had no such luck with. I had a plan for it as soon as I started working on it, that I wanted to sent it off to one specific indie publisher. And they actually liked it! They requested a full manuscript, but unfortunately, they couldn’t take it. They praised the work, but said it wasn’t right for them at the moment. Fair enough, I get it, and I appreciated the kind words and the nice feedback.

I had other projects to work on either way, those two novels needed to be whipped into shape and that massive science-fiction thriller I’m still wrestling with was looming on the horizon, so I wasn’t deterred. There was nothing wrong with putting the horror novella back in the cloud-drawer and know that I had at least revised it and made it better than it was.

Then came the day. It was weeks after I had received contracts for the two other projects. I was trying to work on the sci-fi thing, but probably spending most of my energy on finding way to procrastinate that didn’t feel like I wasn’t working, when I remembered that horror novella. Maybe there were other indie publishers that would be a better fit? It wasn’t like anyone was considering it at the moment, so I might as well send it out into the world again and see what happens?

Maybe there were other indie publishers that would be a better fit?

So I hit the web in search for indie publishers. I used Twitter mostly, because I knew I wanted to go for something small, something I had maybe heard about before, or at least a name I recognized. I know a lot of good people on there (though many are fleeing to other, better, alternatives), and the more I looked the more options I found. There are so many great creative souls out there, so many passionate people, it was difficult to know where to begin.

Problem was, very few of my friends and peers, people who maybe run an indie press all alone on their spare time, or with a couple of friends, after they’re all done with their day jobs, don’t have a lot of time. They have short windows for submitting manuscripts, and they were all closed for the year.

Every, single, one.

“Ah well,” I figured. The horror novella can go back in it’s sky-drawer, no biggie. I still have a huge science-fiction project I’m supposed to make make sense anyway.

Then came the unexpected message, ticking into my DMs. It was from one of those I had been most hopeful about, one where I figured my chances were best, and where my novella could truly find a home. Unfortunately, they too were closed for submission.

I am, however, interested in taking a look if you are still shopping your novella.

Of course, I sent my manuscript right away. I got a response, thanking me for sending it their way, and letting me know they would be in touch.

I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Then, two weeks ago, another message: “Thanks for letting us read this, Mr. Stone. We enjoyed the story, and we’ll be in touch.” I’m paraphrasing here, but that was essentially it, and I didn’t know what to think of it. It’s not a “No”, right? Most people who decline do so right away, usually after a paragraph or two of praise and then followed with an explanation of why they’re not interested. This wasn’t this. It wasn’t a “Yes”, but it was something.

And then, a couple of days ago, another message.

If I could consider doing some minor editing, tweaking the story just a little bit, here and there, then they would be happy to take it in. They wanted it. My horror novella finally found a home.

Which leads me to this blog post, and me saying, I think I just sold another book?

I haven’t signed anything yet, haven’t seen a contract, but the publisher is very transparent online so I can’t see any reason I’d change my mind. I’m beyond excited for this, and I’m so looking forward to place my story in a good home, where it can reach the rest of the world.

And I’m beyond thrilled about my year – that’s three books to three different publishers in the same of three months. This is more success than I could every imagine having when I first started out doing this, and I’m so grateful for all the support and backing I’ve received over the years. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m very excited to see what next year will bring.

Most of all I’m thankful for you, my reader. You who come here to read my blog, you who check out my books, you who dive into my stories. Thank you. Thank you for being interested, thank you for being supportive, and thank you for helping me spread the word, my words. I couldn’t do it without you folks.

As always, find all my books and short stories right here, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter!

Trey Stone’s Books

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