I have punked myself out so many times with the "your book needs to be perfect" thing. Intellectually I know it's not true, but I have to fight hard against thinking it. I am determined with muy current book. Nothing stands in my way!
It's so hard to combat! We all feel it, even when we're on our 3rd, 5th, 10th book... I have to give myself pep talks constantly on my book to just stop being so fussy and keep writing!
@@AlexaDonne This will be something I need to remember. As brand new to dedicated writing, and a natural pessimist, I will need to avoid standing in my way.
I'm not gonna lie...I have the same thoughts reading bad YA. Not necessarily Twilight, but I read things sometimes and I'm like "If THIS is getting published, I can SO do this!" lol
it's ridiculously annoying, mainly because I don't think they understand just how much it costs, or that this is like an actual business I don't have much of a head for.
About that first misconception, one of the reasons I'm actually so drawn to writing (even aside from the fact that I'm addicted to characters and storytelling) is that novel-writing seems to be literally one of the only industries where you *don't* have to know someone who knows someone just to get your foot in the door. As someone who's super introverted and also shy, I've struggled my entire life with getting employers to give me a chance in one job or another, not because I'm uneducated or inexperienced, but simply because I don't know that many people. I'd rather stay at home with a good book than endure small talk at a party any day. While I do know that some amount of schmoozing and social interaction is necessary once you get a book deal, it's still really encouraging for me to know that I can potentially get my foot in the door on the basis of my writing alone, not on the basis of how many people I know who know someone else who know someone's sister's cousin's mailman.
I really don't like how reductive people are about it! I really respect those who do indie publishing and do it really well. I don't know if I could do it!
Every college professor I knew was so hyper focused on Literary fiction. Then I got a publishing degree and started working with publishers and agents. Literary fiction has the most small presses, but publishes the LEAST amount of books a year. Niches in Genres and Sub Genres actually sell the most, have more published titles a year, and their authors typically makes the most because they have a higher chance (though still slim) of selling out their advance. Romance, Sci-Fi, and YA get the best sells of all genres (I am counting Fantasy in Sci-Fi in this case.) Anyone reading this, don’t let people convince you you’ll never make money as a genre writer.
I appreciate you sharing the truth. It disgusts how many self-publishing gurus spread misinformation to get you to buy their self-publishing course or service.
I love how you mentioned twilight inspiring you, I had the same reaction to a book, it was over 500 pages of the most crap i've ever read. Issues with contingency, character, no plot, unsatisfying in every aspect, so many things! AND it was published by penguin random house...and there's a sequel. Everytime I feel like my book isn't going to be good enough for traditional publishing, I just remember that book and I feel invincible 😅
Thank you for making this, because this is something I really struggle with. Whilst LGBTQ+ stories are becoming more publicised, it's still really hard to find someone who wants your work if it's not filled with graphic sex. All I can hope is that someone, somewhere, at some point will want my story.
Wow, I immediately got called out by the first thing you said, about having to know the right people! Cause I REALLY can't shake the feeling that it does matter. I've seen it happen so many times, like in college with the "teacher's pet" that got so many more chances than the average student (good references, opportunities) and also in the writing business; maybe it's different in America but here in Europe there definitely seems to be a sort of "club" of reporters and publishers that decide which book will make it and which one will not.
I had a job interview once and it came up that I was a writer, and they said, "Oh, so you're just looking for something until you get published?" Noooooooooo. (Sadly not.)
THANK YOU for this! I'm not going to name names, but I have heard sooooo many self-published authors claim that traditional publishing is a scam and that self-publishing is the way to go. I think it's much wiser for me to admit to myself that I can't distribute my book to the degree that a publishing company can, and to give up some of the control in order to let them take care of these things that I don't understand, you know? Still, it's a big decission, and it's something I'm thinking and learning about everyday as I edit the draft of my novel. Thanks again for your content
Talking about point 6, I searched and contacted various publishers in my country (here we don't have literary agents); I had no luck, all ask from you thousand of dollars to publish you, and I hadn't the money. So after 2 years I self published and started going to Fairs and illustration conventions (I'm an illustrator too) and after 3 years a publisher approach me and paid for some copies. Two days later asked me for 20 copies and then we started work together. Now I publish with them my story in a better quality than the one I made. In my case and with the panorama in Chile, was a better choice. Hard but better.
The pressure to have beautiful proses is real. I just started writing my book and honestly it's going terribly.I keep writing the beginning, rewriting the beginning, writing a new beginning and I am about to tear my hair out. I dont want to let self doubt ruin my luscious flowing locks so I try to keep in mind that writers like Ronald Dahl didnt write in the most traditional ways but they still have works loved by many today.
asian_nerd 101 Just get past the beginning. Stop revising it. Forget it exists except for a means of advancement. Just keep writing forward and don’t look back until the vital parts of the story are down. THEN you can go back.
Don’t stifle the way things are coming out in your initial drafting period! It may seem gross, but you very well could be onto something that you don’t realize until you’re done with the first draft. And even if it is shitty after all is said and done, that’s why it’s a first draft! It’s so much better to actually have a full, finished first draft to go back and revise and edit multiple times than to work yourself sick on perfecting a first draft that is going to be extensively revised anyways! Don’t psych yourself out!
@@jenniferponzini2433 Exactly! Chance are, by the time you are finished with the whole book you may come up with a better or different beginning. You can just outline the beginning only and come back to it later.
Anne Rice has some great advice on this topic: "The first draft is the idea draft". In other words, just let yourself write uninhibitedly because you are going to have to edit anyway. Also, as Uncle M*rco points out, you may not know what you are truly working towards until you get to the end of the first draft. Trust your creativity. Trust your art. Trust the process.
You have a really great, well-adjusted perspective on what happens in the industry. Thank you so much for putting in the effort to share what you've learned 😊
I just wanted to say Thank You for all your hard work and content on this channel. As I close in on the the last draft of my novel before I start querying I've been watching more videos on publishing and I've totally binged on your channel the past week. All your content is so well presented and researched, and I'm finding it invaluable. You're a wonderful resource, so thank you for all the work you put into these videos. Also, I can't wait to read Brightly Burning. Congratulations on your first book(of many)!
Thanks for making this video! I've been doing so much research on self-publishing that I've forgotten to take a good look at the other side. I love how thorough your videos are. I'll definitely be watching more!
#7 Don't I bloody know it! I have moved my book, Charon Unguarded, to a hybrid model because I physically do not have the time to do all of it, AND look after 3 boys (under 10), And run a house, AND run my editing business. I ended up burned out within four months of release and on Sertraline with depression and anxiety because I'd overloaded myself. Currently working on the prequel, and I have books 2 and 3 in outline, and feeling a lot better now some of it has been taken off my hands. That one is going straight to hybrid.
I'm choosing self-publishing because I'm afraid of not getting a publisher who is willing to give me creative control. The idea that a publisher can just slap any cover or blurb on my book and put it out there without even showing it to me first is enough for me to say, "Yep, I'm outa here. I'll take the indie route, thank you."
I hear you, though I've decided I'm going to try for traditional publishing because self-publishing seems far too daunting. I can handle rejection, (I'm used to it) but I can't handle the stress of having to do everything. But I understand your concerns. It's shallow, but I'm worried that because I'm a female writer with a female protagonist, I'm going to get what I like to call the "pretty girl in a pretty dress" cover by default, which doesn't reflect the novel I'm working on at all (and the kind of cover that I tend to never pick up as a reader). However, some publishers (so I've heard anyway, I'm not there yet to find out for myself) will allow you to approve of the cover and whatnot if you ask to have a say when making the initial contract, but I think it depends on the publishing company.
Is it really that extreme? I've always wanted to publish with HarperCollins but I thought that they at least ask for your opinion before making final decisions.
happychaosofthenorth yeah I feel you. I worry about that too. If I get a cover with any kind of photography I may scream because there is nothing in the world that I hate more than a generic cover with a photograph on it and some horrible photoshop. I would much prefer a vector cover, typography cover or a painting as a cover. But from my understanding many publishers don’t let authors get much say in their books, which terrifies me as someone who wants the cover to reflect the story. Hopefully once I’m querying they allow me to find my own artist, because the last thing I want is a bad cover.
@@nootnewt3 I wonder if there are artists on YT or elsewhere who are up-and-comers that might want to collab with you to create the kind of cover art you prefer? I've seen a lot of talent out there that is completely unknown.
You inspire me so much with each video 😂 Im over here trying to make my fantasy series perfect. My grammar sucks but it didn't stop me from writing 3 books of the same series. I self published my first book with hopes that I can that same book and gain representation. I ended up paying soooo much and my books hardly selling.
I absolutely love your channel and am so excited to read your book!! My library just got arcs of Brightly Burning for people to borrow and review for them so they know what books to buy this year and i will be borrowing your book :) i am so hyped!!
Brittany & Books lucky girl!!!! I live in a small Tx town with 7,000 people so our library NEVER gets anything until its been out for half a decade haha They just spent half a million remodeling it but didnt spend a dime on any books 😒 I daydream about living in a big city with a huge, amazing library..... that preferably looks like a castle or Victorian court house.... have you seen the movie Jumper where they teleport into banks and steal money inna few scenes? Everyone picked on me for years because i said if i could teleport i would be teleporting my happy ass into the buildings publishers use to store theyre future releases to "borrow" them hahaha
Pretty GOOD Alexa! You are more fun to watch than Chris Vogler or Michael Hauge. There's so much writing advice out here, it make your head spin. Good presentation, very engaging. The best I know of.
I decided as you were talking about how many hats you have to wear to self publish, that I was going to traditionally publish my book. Thank you for helpibg me decide
Im super excited for the video(s) about publishing/marketing trends. I’m always interested in discussions about this, and people’s views/ tips and tricks about them. Hope it’s coming soon! :D
Do you have a video about what happens during the traditional publishing process as far as editing the book goes? Or any insightful video. I'm curious about what happens when the publisher says you need to make changes or if they actually do that in a big overhaul-type way. What are we supposed to do? Great video!
A majority of the marketing done by publishers is on the backend. Getting you into stores, pitching you to sales forces to get better space in book stores, getting you into more niche bookstores, awards, reviews, sending ARCs and eARCs to reviewers, getting you possible international sales (depending on agent, contracts, and house.) I think a lot of newbie authors think marketing is Facebook ads and book signings. It will be a rude awakening to them when doing self-pub as well, because you still have to do backend as a Self Pub author, it just looks different.
Also about self publishing, I’ve heard from people who self published aiming to get a foot in the door with traditional publishing that if the self published book doesn’t have those hundreds of thousands of sales it’s basically a demerit on your record to publishing houses, like how’ve you’ve talked about having “baggage” from previous books
I loved this video. Especially myth number six about self publishing and then taking it to a publisher. I thought I could do that but have since decided not too.
As a soon-to-be "hybrid" author, I found this very pertinent! My first novel was published by a subsidiary of HarperCollins (The Reluctant Fortune-Teller). I'd already written the sequel, because the characters had more to say, when I learned that the publisher didn't want a sequel. I let it rest on my desk top a while, while I wrote other things. After several months, returned to it, and I have a lot of confidence in it. It makes me laugh out loud, if that's not too obnoxious to say, and I'm reading it and editing it as if it were written by someone else. So soon I will be able to compare the 2 (traditional vs. self-publishing) from experience. You are right, Alexa. With self-publishing, there is a lot to learn, many decisions to make, and there are costs to incur. You have to develop a whole strategy so that your book will have the reach it needs. When all is said and done, will it be worth the time and expense? I hope so. Soon I'll know. Subscribed to your channel. You are fun to listen to.
Could you make a video about parhaps how many words different type of books have before//after the original work to the published work. How much of the book do you still feel is your book? And at what stage should you look for a publicity firm? When you finnished writing, 75% in the book?...
Can you cover how a person would get a literary agent or if it’s even necessary? I’ve come across quite a few traditional publishers who won’t even look at a manuscript without an agent.
If you search my channel, I have several videos that should help! There's one on how to be traditionally published, and several on agents--finding them, querying them, red flags, etc.
Thanks I like that people DO want to hear my story. But would a publisher take a first book from an old person who may not have any more books in her? Though I think I do.
I'm a new follower and I really enjoy your videos. They're extremely informative and helpful. This one particularly! I can't wait to check out the linked videos!
When I was younger I looked at the percentage you get of the money and how much you have control over and decided that self publishing was for me. Now I look at the amount of work required for self publishing and find myself turning towards traditional.
The first chapter of my novel was just published (March 2019) by an online literary journal. Yay! But, wait - Will this mess up my chances with a literary agent/traditional publisher for the entire novel?
Thanks so much for this! I am a new (as of May 2017) Independent Publisher (@CVPubCo for Connection Victory Publishing Co.) on non-fiction and wish I had this information before I started. I will share this with some of my authors, and I'll look forward to viewing more of your videos!
I have a question for you. When a book a self published book gets optioned and it gets made into a movie do you know how a traditional publisher ends up picking up the book?
Thank you so much. I would like to know the cost of traditional publishing. What is the breakdown. How much do I need to start ? Is there a reasonble payment plan? Lastly what company published your book and what about royalties?
Authors don't pay to be traditionally published--money always flows to the author. I have a literary agent who handled all of my publishing things for me, including negotiating my contract and managing the money payments. I was paid an advance against sales for my books, in multiple payments. I didn't have to pay anything upfront. I'm published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I suggest you watch some of my videos that outline how traditional publishing works--I have a really good one called How To Be Traditionally Published that should help with your questions!
Do publishers and agents have any say if you choose to self-publish novels that ar'nt related to what they've contracted you for? I'd love to pursue traditional publishing but I think I just write too fast for them.
I heard the word "payments," when you were speaking about the $$$$$$ deals. I was under the assumption publishers just cut a check for X amount. I didn't realize X amount would be delivered in payments.
Hey Alexa, this video was super helpful (even though the 20 minutes was daunting at first glance haha). Big eye opener for me. I have a question about the "self publish, then traditional publish" (which was definitely my exact plan haha). I'm writing a non-sequential illustrated children's book series. Would having the first one or two on the market be detrimental to being picked up by a traditional publisher for the rest of the books? Or maybe to put it plainly - if I self-publish 1 book, would that inhibit being picked up by a traditional publisher for additional books?
I don't get this kind of reasoning. It's an entertaining YA novel that has massive appeal, so much so that they made movies out of the series. Okay, it's filled with cliché and it's not particularly deep. But it can't have been easy to write. It is HARD to write a popular novel!
@Laurens Brettschneider well again, if the novel has wide appeal, and was made into a successful movie franchise, can we not show respect to the author?
SamOwenI Exactly ! Even though you may not like it, it doesn’t mean you can just discredit the authors work or ignore it’s obvious appeal to the mass audience . Twilight has paved the way for vampire YA no one can deny this. Plus, if someone thinks that twilight is the worst book ever written , they probably haven’t read as much books as they think they did. It’s not as horrible as people make it out to be, seriously reading the comments you’d think twilight was After .
I start feeling bad loving Twilight back in the day... I watched the movie and later read the book (the 2nd movie was meh, and I couldn't watch any of them a few years later). About traditional publishing... In other countries, it may be different a bit... but in small countries, I think tradition publishing is better as you have low chances to sell your book anyway (unless you're really famous)
My original misconception was in the opposite direction. That to breakthrough you need commercial appeal. 😂😂😂 Though I’ve been realizing that isn’t the case more and more.
I wanted to ask your opinion. I have been considering self publishing because of the freedom is something I think would suit me because I suffer from chronic illnesses and thought it would help to decide your own pace. I have heard a lot saying that trad publishing can be very stressful and tight schedules during certain phases. Is that not true? Also, I thought for tax reasons all authors had to start your own company, is that not the case for trad published authors?
I am glad that I stumbled on this video bc honestly......... I had thought that maybe I would try to first self publish then try to "impress" traditional publisher... And at this moment I kind of wanna hide under my blanket and never come out
My journey in Traditional Publishing: 1. I chose to go with small publishing presses. I was picked up by one. I didn't know anyone inside the company. My book fills a niche market of the bear subculture of the gay community that doesn't focus on muscle bears or weight loss. 2. Mine is far from perfect, but it's a story that needs to be told. I have a great imagination, but not great at always putting it on page. I used Beta Readers to help, and that's what editors are for. I tihnk my story needs to be told, even if it's not some masterpiece. It will resonate with someone out there. 3. I know exactly what I'm getting in my contract. Also, if I tried to self-publish, the amount I'd have to pay for editing, cover art, formatting if I didn't do it myself, marketing, etc. Would be large. I know I have to market quite a bit even with traditional publishing, but I'm free to write ny next novel while their editing and not having to pay for those edits. Granted, I did nto get an advance, but I'm going with a small press, and so I didn't expect to get anything up front. 4. My small press will do some marketing, but only a small portion (they do print a lot of authors), but I knew this going in. They will market, but I need to as well. Book ain't gonna sell itself. 5. Who thinks they are going to get a six figure deal? I have such low expectations that I'm happy if I see 100 books when it releases. That's on the high end of happy. I know many authors who have a day job and 15 books published. There are a few authors I know who write as a living, but they are romance novel writers who pander to the masses (fire fighters, small town, etc.). They also publish about 5-8 novels a year. After spending 5 days and only writing for a few hours a day, I could see myself cranking out a novel every 2-3 months if I wanted to, but that seems exhausting to me. 6. I'd thought about self-publishing to get my work out there. However, the cost outweighed what I could afford. My plan was if I was unable to get a publisher, I was going to save up to self-publish. I'm happy I didn't have to. Also, if you sold a few thousand copies as a self-published author, take that money and reinvest and market more and self-publish again. 7. See previous points. Self-publishing takes so much work. It's exhausting thinking about it and kudos to those who can and do.
When you mention peeves #3 and #4... all of the "bare minimum" services/marketing/distribution ...those costs count against earning out, yes? Or not always? My plan is to reap the benefits from both the self- and traditional publishing worlds by this time next year, just like Amanda Hocking! Wahoo!!!!!!! More seriously... I'd love to be traditionally published b/c I'd like to be teaching someday. : )
I had a friend who would not shut up about getting it self published first. She was really pushy about self publishing, actually. Self publishing is a fantastic tool for some people and some books. But it's HARD. And its not for everyone.
im a big noob and a little confused. in a traditional publishing deal, dont you get to keep a healthy percentage of the profits from book sales? or is it just a one-time payment arrangement?
I wouldn’t call it a healthy percentage you get a very small amount they keep like 60-70% of your sales and then self publishing would be the opposite where you’d get 70-80% of ur sales. Also I believe publishers give a one time upfront payment and then the rest is what you make from book sales
What if a book you're hoping to publish for real was already published on a website like Wattpad. Is it the same as trying to get a publisher to publish a book you self-published?
I don't know anything about Wattpad specifically, but a couple of things that might be helpful: 1. A traditional publisher won't publish a book that's already available in its entirety for free online, because what exactly are they selling if people can already read your whole book for free? (This is actually a condition for self-publishing with Amazon as well.) 2. Posting writing online doesn't necessarily mean that you've given away the first publication rights, but it might do. You need to look at the terms of the site you posted on and find out what rights/ownership you gave up as a condition of posting there.
omg omg i cant believe i did this to myself. i self published the first in a seven book series and i want a book deal in trad pub! im dying what can i do to save this?! ive been at this for so many years and i love this story!!
thats what i was thinking after i calmed down. (oh thats also me on your goodreads page) I was also considering changing the title and actually a bit of the beginning after a little consideration. thank you so much!
Alexa Donne well as it turns out, I have a lot of revision ahead. I have pretty much squashed all digital trail, am renaming and going through major revision b/c my current adult fantasy MS is over 276k words and apparently that's a big no no for first timers. Booo I can't help if I'm descriptive.
Alexa, can you make a video on how to stay motivated during revisions? For example, I'm on my third draft. Just fixed a plot hole and looking at a full rewrite now. It's part of the job but goddamn FML right now 😆🤦 #gottastaymotivated
I’m not sure if this is already a video, but when do you start querying? Like what draft should I be on before I start to consider this (all drafts are different but like average)
10 feral rats in a coat ~ Most agents will get upset if they show a sincere interest in a writer's work and find out it either isn't a completed manuscript yet, or, worse, it hasn't even been started yet. As a rule of thumb, the time to start querying is when you're manuscript is complete, even if you are still tweaking the final edit.
On number 6... I'm gonna do the opposite. I'll try for trad. publishing. If I cannot get it out, I'll publish it on my own. Because I really want to be traditionally published. But I also want people to read my book, so... aim high, and if I can't hit the mark, do it myself. :) And 7... I have always been convinced that having other people do your things for you is easier than doing it yourself. So... traditional publishing must be easier, right? :D Or they could be equally hard.
The main reasons that I'm most likely choosing to self-publish are because the advances are so small & split up over such a long period of time that it equals to what you can make self-publishing, or even way less. And because I've recently found out that if you're a damn good writer & a certain publishing house realizes this, they'll sign you just to keep you down so that you're not a threat to their guaranteed money makers. If that happened to me I'd literally end up in a padded room.
thumbs up and subscribed. :) I mean, I love the upfront of the information here. :) I do have a question though: I've read somewhere that "race" does influence traditional publishers/agents. Like I write in English, BUT I am a Filipino...born in the third world country, but has a [dark] fantasy story to tell. So I thought "maybe" self-publishing is my route because I am NOT white and first-world looking, anyway. I can deliver the lexis, the quality even, but again there is this unspeakable mantra that we are all chained with. Thus, should I just self-publish? Or try traditional (in the hopes that a literary agent or a publisher does look past the colour).
Try traditional! The publishing industry has come a long way in terms of being inclusive, and that includes many authors from the Philippines getting published. I recommend you look up the authors Rin Chupeco and Gail de Villanueva--both are Filipinos living in the Philippines with traditional book deals!
Wow! Thank you for the reply. :) I didn't even know those authors, thank you for the heads up. :) Then again, I do have that insecurity where traditional publishing "edits so much" that at the end of your novel, you won't even recognize your own plot and character. I heard that they will change the plot, even the character just so it will sell (like I have Filipino characters---actually my novel has "global characters" -- European, African, Asian characters so I don't want to see my novel being "white-washed". I don't want my main character being Americans, and be set in a US city, but my setting do come as far as here in Newcastle, UK; and I don't want them to change the settings because that'll affect book 2 and so on. I mean, they already got 85% of the profit, why strangle authors further?) How true is this, and really, the creativity is hampered with traditional publishing, and although I can compromise and negotiate, but it's when traditional publishing don't know what they are doing with a novel that, like I intended to, be a "global set of characters", that I am discouraged to do traditional publishing.
Your book getting published just depends on how marketable it could be. It could be an absolute masterpiece, but In the least popular genre and not get published
When i got published in 2018, I took time off then applied at part time jobs. Every employer figured I suck at writing since I was looking for a day job. Bullshit. So I had to interview and dim my shine- pretend I'm some blah person willing to be a slave. Everywhere I go, im forced to dim my shine for the comfort of others. People, if you get published- keep your day job. If you're pretty and interviewing with a woman, NEVER tell her you're an author! Chicks never admit it but when they see a shimmery person with books in stores, they cringe. Dog eat dog world, y'all. Don't quit your day jobs!!!!!!
10K for 10,000 book print run is what a spiritual advisor paid to be self-published. Has to have 2 squids shipped to his house. 27 years later, most are still in his garage because he never promoted himself.
I think it's different in many region. In Hungary, there is a great tradition of "knowing" someone, who will help you to get published, since there are no agents. So if you too shy or to introverted, you will start from minus. There are certain publishers who work differently, like they're organize competitions, and the winners take it all. And some publishers really read the drafts what the wannabe writers send to them through e-mail, and find some talented amateurs. But, most of the time, you can publish through connections.
You need to be aware that not all publishers are created equal. I am trad published from a small house publisher and they really do nothing for me. I wish I would have self published because my books are locked in with them. With a trad publisher, you're stuck with their people. Not all editors are good. Same goes for cover artists and with trad publishers, you're stuck with what you get. No updates/upgrades.
@@lizzychrome7630 Yes. While they have the rights I cannot publish anything to continue the series as the publisher has control over them. And until I get the rights back I can't do anything with them.
@@dianawilson13 More motivation for me to self publish. 😳 I'm really sorry you're stuck in this spot. I hope you can get out of that publishing house soon.
For your next book or (second print on this one), feel free to message me for a free cover suggestion. You should have used a different shade of violet, to make it more pleasing for the eye.
I have punked myself out so many times with the "your book needs to be perfect" thing. Intellectually I know it's not true, but I have to fight hard against thinking it. I am determined with muy current book. Nothing stands in my way!
It's so hard to combat! We all feel it, even when we're on our 3rd, 5th, 10th book... I have to give myself pep talks constantly on my book to just stop being so fussy and keep writing!
@@AlexaDonne This will be something I need to remember. As brand new to dedicated writing, and a natural pessimist, I will need to avoid standing in my way.
I'm not gonna lie...I have the same thoughts reading bad YA. Not necessarily Twilight, but I read things sometimes and I'm like "If THIS is getting published, I can SO do this!" lol
I feel the same about adult erotica too. xD
That's really what's keeping motivated when I write tbh.
@@junjunjamore7735 AHAHA my first thought immediately is that grayscale book
the most common one I get is, "Oh, why don't you just self publish?" 😑 I'm tired of explaining myself honestly
I get that all the time too!
it's ridiculously annoying, mainly because I don't think they understand just how much it costs, or that this is like an actual business I don't have much of a head for.
Me too
I just told people I knew what I was doing. When I got a book deal, they shut up.
It’s weird, because years ago self publishing was considered vanity publishing, and most people wouldn’t think a writer should self publish.
About that first misconception, one of the reasons I'm actually so drawn to writing (even aside from the fact that I'm addicted to characters and storytelling) is that novel-writing seems to be literally one of the only industries where you *don't* have to know someone who knows someone just to get your foot in the door. As someone who's super introverted and also shy, I've struggled my entire life with getting employers to give me a chance in one job or another, not because I'm uneducated or inexperienced, but simply because I don't know that many people. I'd rather stay at home with a good book than endure small talk at a party any day. While I do know that some amount of schmoozing and social interaction is necessary once you get a book deal, it's still really encouraging for me to know that I can potentially get my foot in the door on the basis of my writing alone, not on the basis of how many people I know who know someone else who know someone's sister's cousin's mailman.
Thank you for saying that part at the end about self publishing. It really is NOT easy at all.
I really don't like how reductive people are about it! I really respect those who do indie publishing and do it really well. I don't know if I could do it!
Every college professor I knew was so hyper focused on Literary fiction. Then I got a publishing degree and started working with publishers and agents. Literary fiction has the most small presses, but publishes the LEAST amount of books a year. Niches in Genres and Sub Genres actually sell the most, have more published titles a year, and their authors typically makes the most because they have a higher chance (though still slim) of selling out their advance. Romance, Sci-Fi, and YA get the best sells of all genres (I am counting Fantasy in Sci-Fi in this case.) Anyone reading this, don’t let people convince you you’ll never make money as a genre writer.
I appreciate you sharing the truth. It disgusts how many self-publishing gurus spread misinformation to get you to buy their self-publishing course or service.
I love how you mentioned twilight inspiring you, I had the same reaction to a book, it was over 500 pages of the most crap i've ever read. Issues with contingency, character, no plot, unsatisfying in every aspect, so many things! AND it was published by penguin random house...and there's a sequel. Everytime I feel like my book isn't going to be good enough for traditional publishing, I just remember that book and I feel invincible 😅
Thank you for making this, because this is something I really struggle with. Whilst LGBTQ+ stories are becoming more publicised, it's still really hard to find someone who wants your work if it's not filled with graphic sex. All I can hope is that someone, somewhere, at some point will want my story.
Wow, I immediately got called out by the first thing you said, about having to know the right people! Cause I REALLY can't shake the feeling that it does matter. I've seen it happen so many times, like in college with the "teacher's pet" that got so many more chances than the average student (good references, opportunities) and also in the writing business; maybe it's different in America but here in Europe there definitely seems to be a sort of "club" of reporters and publishers that decide which book will make it and which one will not.
I had a job interview once and it came up that I was a writer, and they said, "Oh, so you're just looking for something until you get published?" Noooooooooo. (Sadly not.)
THANK YOU for this! I'm not going to name names, but I have heard sooooo many self-published authors claim that traditional publishing is a scam and that self-publishing is the way to go. I think it's much wiser for me to admit to myself that I can't distribute my book to the degree that a publishing company can, and to give up some of the control in order to let them take care of these things that I don't understand, you know? Still, it's a big decission, and it's something I'm thinking and learning about everyday as I edit the draft of my novel. Thanks again for your content
Thank you for making me feel sane for committing towards traditional publishing. The pressure to do self-publishing can be burdensome at times.
Talking about point 6, I searched and contacted various publishers in my country (here we don't have literary agents); I had no luck, all ask from you thousand of dollars to publish you, and I hadn't the money. So after 2 years I self published and started going to Fairs and illustration conventions (I'm an illustrator too) and after 3 years a publisher approach me and paid for some copies. Two days later asked me for 20 copies and then we started work together. Now I publish with them my story in a better quality than the one I made. In my case and with the panorama in Chile, was a better choice. Hard but better.
Those are vanity publishers not legit publishers
@@ayajade6683 i know, that's why i didn't work with them, ever.
The pressure to have beautiful proses is real. I just started writing my book and honestly it's going terribly.I keep writing the beginning, rewriting the beginning, writing a new beginning and I am about to tear my hair out. I dont want to let self doubt ruin my luscious flowing locks so I try to keep in mind that writers like Ronald Dahl didnt write in the most traditional ways but they still have works loved by many today.
asian_nerd 101 Just get past the beginning. Stop revising it. Forget it exists except for a means of advancement. Just keep writing forward and don’t look back until the vital parts of the story are down. THEN you can go back.
Don’t stifle the way things are coming out in your initial drafting period! It may seem gross, but you very well could be onto something that you don’t realize until you’re done with the first draft. And even if it is shitty after all is said and done, that’s why it’s a first draft! It’s so much better to actually have a full, finished first draft to go back and revise and edit multiple times than to work yourself sick on perfecting a first draft that is going to be extensively revised anyways! Don’t psych yourself out!
@@jenniferponzini2433 Exactly! Chance are, by the time you are finished with the whole book you may come up with a better or different beginning. You can just outline the beginning only and come back to it later.
Anne Rice has some great advice on this topic: "The first draft is the idea draft". In other words, just let yourself write uninhibitedly because you are going to have to edit anyway.
Also, as Uncle M*rco points out, you may not know what you are truly working towards until you get to the end of the first draft.
Trust your creativity. Trust your art. Trust the process.
@@morganeoghmanann9792 💯 best advice and I completely agree!
You have a really great, well-adjusted perspective on what happens in the industry. Thank you so much for putting in the effort to share what you've learned 😊
I just wanted to say Thank You for all your hard work and content on this channel. As I close in on the the last draft of my novel before I start querying I've been watching more videos on publishing and I've totally binged on your channel the past week. All your content is so well presented and researched, and I'm finding it invaluable. You're a wonderful resource, so thank you for all the work you put into these videos. Also, I can't wait to read Brightly Burning. Congratulations on your first book(of many)!
Thanks for making this video! I've been doing so much research on self-publishing that I've forgotten to take a good look at the other side. I love how thorough your videos are. I'll definitely be watching more!
#7 Don't I bloody know it! I have moved my book, Charon Unguarded, to a hybrid model because I physically do not have the time to do all of it, AND look after 3 boys (under 10), And run a house, AND run my editing business. I ended up burned out within four months of release and on Sertraline with depression and anxiety because I'd overloaded myself. Currently working on the prequel, and I have books 2 and 3 in outline, and feeling a lot better now some of it has been taken off my hands. That one is going straight to hybrid.
I'm choosing self-publishing because I'm afraid of not getting a publisher who is willing to give me creative control. The idea that a publisher can just slap any cover or blurb on my book and put it out there without even showing it to me first is enough for me to say, "Yep, I'm outa here. I'll take the indie route, thank you."
I hear you, though I've decided I'm going to try for traditional publishing because self-publishing seems far too daunting. I can handle rejection, (I'm used to it) but I can't handle the stress of having to do everything. But I understand your concerns. It's shallow, but I'm worried that because I'm a female writer with a female protagonist, I'm going to get what I like to call the "pretty girl in a pretty dress" cover by default, which doesn't reflect the novel I'm working on at all (and the kind of cover that I tend to never pick up as a reader). However, some publishers (so I've heard anyway, I'm not there yet to find out for myself) will allow you to approve of the cover and whatnot if you ask to have a say when making the initial contract, but I think it depends on the publishing company.
On the other hand, a publisher probably knows better than I do how to market and sell my book.
Is it really that extreme? I've always wanted to publish with HarperCollins but I thought that they at least ask for your opinion before making final decisions.
happychaosofthenorth yeah I feel you. I worry about that too. If I get a cover with any kind of photography I may scream because there is nothing in the world that I hate more than a generic cover with a photograph on it and some horrible photoshop. I would much prefer a vector cover, typography cover or a painting as a cover. But from my understanding many publishers don’t let authors get much say in their books, which terrifies me as someone who wants the cover to reflect the story. Hopefully once I’m querying they allow me to find my own artist, because the last thing I want is a bad cover.
@@nootnewt3 I wonder if there are artists on YT or elsewhere who are up-and-comers that might want to collab with you to create the kind of cover art you prefer? I've seen a lot of talent out there that is completely unknown.
You inspire me so much with each video 😂 Im over here trying to make my fantasy series perfect. My grammar sucks but it didn't stop me from writing 3 books of the same series. I self published my first book with hopes that I can that same book and gain representation.
I ended up paying soooo much and my books hardly selling.
I absolutely love your channel and am so excited to read your book!! My library just got arcs of Brightly Burning for people to borrow and review for them so they know what books to buy this year and i will be borrowing your book :) i am so hyped!!
Eep! I hope you like it! :D
Brittany & Books lucky girl!!!! I live in a small Tx town with 7,000 people so our library NEVER gets anything until its been out for half a decade haha They just spent half a million remodeling it but didnt spend a dime on any books 😒 I daydream about living in a big city with a huge, amazing library..... that preferably looks like a castle or Victorian court house.... have you seen the movie Jumper where they teleport into banks and steal money inna few scenes? Everyone picked on me for years because i said if i could teleport i would be teleporting my happy ass into the buildings publishers use to store theyre future releases to "borrow" them hahaha
Pretty GOOD Alexa! You are more fun to watch than Chris Vogler or Michael Hauge. There's so much writing advice out here, it make your head spin. Good presentation, very engaging. The best I know of.
I decided as you were talking about how many hats you have to wear to self publish, that I was going to traditionally publish my book. Thank you for helpibg me decide
Im super excited for the video(s) about publishing/marketing trends. I’m always interested in discussions about this, and people’s views/ tips and tricks about them. Hope it’s coming soon! :D
Do you have a video about what happens during the traditional publishing process as far as editing the book goes? Or any insightful video. I'm curious about what happens when the publisher says you need to make changes or if they actually do that in a big overhaul-type way. What are we supposed to do? Great video!
I think that she does
A majority of the marketing done by publishers is on the backend. Getting you into stores, pitching you to sales forces to get better space in book stores, getting you into more niche bookstores, awards, reviews, sending ARCs and eARCs to reviewers, getting you possible international sales (depending on agent, contracts, and house.) I think a lot of newbie authors think marketing is Facebook ads and book signings. It will be a rude awakening to them when doing self-pub as well, because you still have to do backend as a Self Pub author, it just looks different.
Also about self publishing, I’ve heard from people who self published aiming to get a foot in the door with traditional publishing that if the self published book doesn’t have those hundreds of thousands of sales it’s basically a demerit on your record to publishing houses, like how’ve you’ve talked about having “baggage” from previous books
I loved this video. Especially myth number six about self publishing and then taking it to a publisher. I thought I could do that but have since decided not too.
As a soon-to-be "hybrid" author, I found this very pertinent! My first novel was published by a subsidiary of HarperCollins (The Reluctant Fortune-Teller). I'd already written the sequel, because the characters had more to say, when I learned that the publisher didn't want a sequel. I let it rest on my desk top a while, while I wrote other things. After several months, returned to it, and I have a lot of confidence in it. It makes me laugh out loud, if that's not too obnoxious to say, and I'm reading it and editing it as if it were written by someone else.
So soon I will be able to compare the 2 (traditional vs. self-publishing) from experience.
You are right, Alexa. With self-publishing, there is a lot to learn, many decisions to make, and there are costs to incur. You have to develop a whole strategy so that your book will have the reach it needs.
When all is said and done, will it be worth the time and expense? I hope so. Soon I'll know.
Subscribed to your channel. You are fun to listen to.
Could you make a video about parhaps how many words different type of books have before//after the original work to the published work. How much of the book do you still feel is your book? And at what stage should you look for a publicity firm? When you finnished writing, 75% in the book?...
Can you cover how a person would get a literary agent or if it’s even necessary? I’ve come across quite a few traditional publishers who won’t even look at a manuscript without an agent.
If you search my channel, I have several videos that should help! There's one on how to be traditionally published, and several on agents--finding them, querying them, red flags, etc.
@@AlexaDonne You rock! Thank you. And oh yeah...SUBSCRIBED!
Thanks I like that people DO want to hear my story. But would a publisher take a first book from an old person who may not have any more books in her? Though I think I do.
I'm a new follower and I really enjoy your videos. They're extremely informative and helpful. This one particularly! I can't wait to check out the linked videos!
I wrote a book, I chose self-publishing because of all of these myths. Glad to know they aren't true.
Thanks.
I absolutely love these videos. Please never stop creating them because they are incredibly helpful. :)
Twilight seriously did the same for me. It gave me so much hope and courage as a writer.
Very interesting video. I knew that self-publishing was a lot of work, but never imagined there would be so many hoops to jump through.
When I was younger I looked at the percentage you get of the money and how much you have control over and decided that self publishing was for me. Now I look at the amount of work required for self publishing and find myself turning towards traditional.
The first chapter of my novel was just published (March 2019) by an online literary journal. Yay! But, wait - Will this mess up my chances with a literary agent/traditional publisher for the entire novel?
Thanks so much for this! I am a new (as of May 2017) Independent Publisher (@CVPubCo for Connection Victory Publishing Co.) on non-fiction and wish I had this information before I started. I will share this with some of my authors, and I'll look forward to viewing more of your videos!
I have a question for you. When a book a self published book gets optioned and it gets made into a movie do you know how a traditional publisher ends up picking up the book?
Thank you so much. I would like to know the cost of traditional publishing. What is the breakdown. How much do I need to start ? Is there a reasonble payment plan? Lastly what company published your book and what about royalties?
Authors don't pay to be traditionally published--money always flows to the author. I have a literary agent who handled all of my publishing things for me, including negotiating my contract and managing the money payments. I was paid an advance against sales for my books, in multiple payments. I didn't have to pay anything upfront. I'm published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
I suggest you watch some of my videos that outline how traditional publishing works--I have a really good one called How To Be Traditionally Published that should help with your questions!
Do publishers and agents have any say if you choose to self-publish novels that ar'nt related to what they've contracted you for? I'd love to pursue traditional publishing but I think I just write too fast for them.
I heard the word "payments," when you were speaking about the $$$$$$ deals. I was under the assumption publishers just cut a check for X amount. I didn't realize X amount would be delivered in payments.
Your book arrived today, got hospital today so starting it today xxx
Hey Alexa, this video was super helpful (even though the 20 minutes was daunting at first glance haha). Big eye opener for me. I have a question about the "self publish, then traditional publish" (which was definitely my exact plan haha). I'm writing a non-sequential illustrated children's book series. Would having the first one or two on the market be detrimental to being picked up by a traditional publisher for the rest of the books?
Or maybe to put it plainly - if I self-publish 1 book, would that inhibit being picked up by a traditional publisher for additional books?
If you're planning a series, I definitely wouldn't self-publish the first one. It may indeed diminish publisher interest.
Alexa Donne, thanks so much!
I absolutely love the notion that if Twilight can get published, anything can get published.
I don't get this kind of reasoning. It's an entertaining YA novel that has massive appeal, so much so that they made movies out of the series. Okay, it's filled with cliché and it's not particularly deep. But it can't have been easy to write. It is HARD to write a popular novel!
@Laurens Brettschneider well again, if the novel has wide appeal, and was made into a successful movie franchise, can we not show respect to the author?
SamOwenI
Exactly ! Even though you may not like it, it doesn’t mean you can just discredit the authors work or ignore it’s obvious appeal to the mass audience . Twilight has paved the way for vampire YA no one can deny this. Plus, if someone thinks that twilight is the worst book ever written , they probably haven’t read as much books as they think they did. It’s not as horrible as people make it out to be, seriously reading the comments you’d think twilight was After .
TWI! LIGHT! ISN’T! LITERATURE!
@@azuroslazuli6948 ~It wasn't meant to be literature - it was meant to appeal to the masses.
I start feeling bad loving Twilight back in the day... I watched the movie and later read the book (the 2nd movie was meh, and I couldn't watch any of them a few years later). About traditional publishing... In other countries, it may be different a bit... but in small countries, I think tradition publishing is better as you have low chances to sell your book anyway (unless you're really famous)
My original misconception was in the opposite direction. That to breakthrough you need commercial appeal. 😂😂😂
Though I’ve been realizing that isn’t the case more and more.
I wanted to ask your opinion. I have been considering self publishing because of the freedom is something I think would suit me because I suffer from chronic illnesses and thought it would help to decide your own pace. I have heard a lot saying that trad publishing can be very stressful and tight schedules during certain phases. Is that not true?
Also, I thought for tax reasons all authors had to start your own company, is that not the case for trad published authors?
What are your thoughts on graphic novels?
I am glad that I stumbled on this video bc honestly......... I had thought that maybe I would try to first self publish then try to "impress" traditional publisher... And at this moment I kind of wanna hide under my blanket and never come out
My journey in Traditional Publishing:
1. I chose to go with small publishing presses. I was picked up by one. I didn't know anyone inside the company. My book fills a niche market of the bear subculture of the gay community that doesn't focus on muscle bears or weight loss.
2. Mine is far from perfect, but it's a story that needs to be told. I have a great imagination, but not great at always putting it on page. I used Beta Readers to help, and that's what editors are for. I tihnk my story needs to be told, even if it's not some masterpiece. It will resonate with someone out there.
3. I know exactly what I'm getting in my contract. Also, if I tried to self-publish, the amount I'd have to pay for editing, cover art, formatting if I didn't do it myself, marketing, etc. Would be large. I know I have to market quite a bit even with traditional publishing, but I'm free to write ny next novel while their editing and not having to pay for those edits. Granted, I did nto get an advance, but I'm going with a small press, and so I didn't expect to get anything up front.
4. My small press will do some marketing, but only a small portion (they do print a lot of authors), but I knew this going in. They will market, but I need to as well. Book ain't gonna sell itself.
5. Who thinks they are going to get a six figure deal? I have such low expectations that I'm happy if I see 100 books when it releases. That's on the high end of happy. I know many authors who have a day job and 15 books published. There are a few authors I know who write as a living, but they are romance novel writers who pander to the masses (fire fighters, small town, etc.). They also publish about 5-8 novels a year. After spending 5 days and only writing for a few hours a day, I could see myself cranking out a novel every 2-3 months if I wanted to, but that seems exhausting to me.
6. I'd thought about self-publishing to get my work out there. However, the cost outweighed what I could afford. My plan was if I was unable to get a publisher, I was going to save up to self-publish. I'm happy I didn't have to. Also, if you sold a few thousand copies as a self-published author, take that money and reinvest and market more and self-publish again.
7. See previous points. Self-publishing takes so much work. It's exhausting thinking about it and kudos to those who can and do.
When you mention peeves #3 and #4... all of the "bare minimum" services/marketing/distribution ...those costs count against earning out, yes? Or not always?
My plan is to reap the benefits from both the self- and traditional publishing worlds by this time next year, just like Amanda Hocking! Wahoo!!!!!!! More seriously... I'd love to be traditionally published b/c I'd like to be teaching someday. : )
"Or crappy vampire novels"
I feel attacked XD
Thanks so much for posting this video! Your videos are always so helpful!
I had a friend who would not shut up about getting it self published first. She was really pushy about self publishing, actually. Self publishing is a fantastic tool for some people and some books. But it's HARD. And its not for everyone.
im a big noob and a little confused. in a traditional publishing deal, dont you get to keep a healthy percentage of the profits from book sales? or is it just a one-time payment arrangement?
I wouldn’t call it a healthy percentage you get a very small amount they keep like 60-70% of your sales and then self publishing would be the opposite where you’d get 70-80% of ur sales. Also I believe publishers give a one time upfront payment and then the rest is what you make from book sales
What if a book you're hoping to publish for real was already published on a website like Wattpad. Is it the same as trying to get a publisher to publish a book you self-published?
I don't know anything about Wattpad specifically, but a couple of things that might be helpful: 1. A traditional publisher won't publish a book that's already available in its entirety for free online, because what exactly are they selling if people can already read your whole book for free? (This is actually a condition for self-publishing with Amazon as well.) 2. Posting writing online doesn't necessarily mean that you've given away the first publication rights, but it might do. You need to look at the terms of the site you posted on and find out what rights/ownership you gave up as a condition of posting there.
Before querying, should your book already be formatted to standard form?
Yep! And it's really easy to do. I have a video on manuscript formatting!
Alexa Donne Thank you. I will check it out. Is there more than just the standard? My editor showed one way and I found another from 2014.
omg omg i cant believe i did this to myself. i self published the first in a seven book series and i want a book deal in trad pub! im dying what can i do to save this?! ive been at this for so many years and i love this story!!
You can always unpublish it... do what you can to wipe that digital trail. That's my best suggestion!
thats what i was thinking after i calmed down. (oh thats also me on your goodreads page) I was also considering changing the title and actually a bit of the beginning after a little consideration. thank you so much!
Alexa Donne well as it turns out, I have a lot of revision ahead. I have pretty much squashed all digital trail, am renaming and going through major revision b/c my current adult fantasy MS is over 276k words and apparently that's a big no no for first timers. Booo I can't help if I'm descriptive.
Alexa, can you make a video on how to stay motivated during revisions? For example, I'm on my third draft. Just fixed a plot hole and looking at a full rewrite now. It's part of the job but goddamn FML right now 😆🤦 #gottastaymotivated
I've been told I'm not a real writer cause I wrote fanfic and lack experience with traditional publishing.
Chlobo you’re a real writer if you write. Don’t listen to people who are gonna be rude like that.
I’m not sure if this is already a video, but when do you start querying? Like what draft should I be on before I start to consider this (all drafts are different but like average)
10 feral rats in a coat ~ Most agents will get upset if they show a sincere interest in a writer's work and find out it either isn't a completed manuscript yet, or, worse, it hasn't even been started yet. As a rule of thumb, the time to start querying is when you're manuscript is complete, even if you are still tweaking the final edit.
Oh my gosh! I have the SAME EXACT feelings about Twilight!
You're wonderful, thank you.
This is so helpful! Thank you so much for you to sharing all these good/useful tips♥♥
Thanks for your video. You have given me hope.
On number 6... I'm gonna do the opposite. I'll try for trad. publishing. If I cannot get it out, I'll publish it on my own. Because I really want to be traditionally published. But I also want people to read my book, so... aim high, and if I can't hit the mark, do it myself. :)
And 7... I have always been convinced that having other people do your things for you is easier than doing it yourself. So... traditional publishing must be easier, right? :D Or they could be equally hard.
This is very informative 👏🏾
The main reasons that I'm most likely choosing to self-publish are because the advances are so small & split up over such a long period of time that it equals to what you can make self-publishing, or even way less. And because I've recently found out that if you're a damn good writer & a certain publishing house realizes this, they'll sign you just to keep you down so that you're not a threat to their guaranteed money makers. If that happened to me I'd literally end up in a padded room.
I don't if my book would be good enough to a published but my heart believe so
I've watched a few of her videos. I so happy that she published.
My name is trinity,but my last name is very popular any pen name suggestions?
If you have a unique first name, you can have a common last name.
Alexa Donne thank you x
thumbs up and subscribed. :) I mean, I love the upfront of the information here. :)
I do have a question though: I've read somewhere that "race" does influence traditional publishers/agents. Like I write in English, BUT I am a Filipino...born in the third world country, but has a [dark] fantasy story to tell.
So I thought "maybe" self-publishing is my route because I am NOT white and first-world looking, anyway. I can deliver the lexis, the quality even, but again there is this unspeakable mantra that we are all chained with.
Thus, should I just self-publish? Or try traditional (in the hopes that a literary agent or a publisher does look past the colour).
Try traditional! The publishing industry has come a long way in terms of being inclusive, and that includes many authors from the Philippines getting published. I recommend you look up the authors Rin Chupeco and Gail de Villanueva--both are Filipinos living in the Philippines with traditional book deals!
Wow! Thank you for the reply. :)
I didn't even know those authors, thank you for the heads up. :)
Then again, I do have that insecurity where traditional publishing "edits so much" that at the end of your novel, you won't even recognize your own plot and character.
I heard that they will change the plot, even the character just so it will sell (like I have Filipino characters---actually my novel has "global characters" -- European, African, Asian characters so I don't want to see my novel being "white-washed". I don't want my main character being Americans, and be set in a US city, but my setting do come as far as here in Newcastle, UK; and I don't want them to change the settings because that'll affect book 2 and so on. I mean, they already got 85% of the profit, why strangle authors further?)
How true is this, and really, the creativity is hampered with traditional publishing, and although I can compromise and negotiate, but it's when traditional publishing don't know what they are doing with a novel that, like I intended to, be a "global set of characters", that I am discouraged to do traditional publishing.
Great video! You've just earned another subscriber.
Your book getting published just depends on how marketable it could be. It could be an absolute masterpiece, but In the least popular genre and not get published
When i got published in 2018, I took time off then applied at part time jobs. Every employer figured I suck at writing since I was looking for a day job. Bullshit. So I had to interview and dim my shine- pretend I'm some blah person willing to be a slave. Everywhere I go, im forced to dim my shine for the comfort of others.
People, if you get published- keep your day job. If you're pretty and interviewing with a woman, NEVER tell her you're an author! Chicks never admit it but when they see a shimmery person with books in stores, they cringe. Dog eat dog world, y'all. Don't quit your day jobs!!!!!!
What about historical fiction? I guess I need to know someone? WTH. That means it is a closed shop, as I know nobody. However, I am qualified.
All that purple is so pretty.
I really liked you totally dumping on Twilight.
Awesome video
Chris Fox has a UA-cam channel and he details what he had to deal with while self-publishing.
10K for 10,000 book print run is what a spiritual advisor paid to be self-published. Has to have 2 squids shipped to his house. 27 years later, most are still in his garage because he never promoted himself.
You hit it right on the head again.
Hahah I started writing after Twilight too! I said I could write better than that !
Twilight-it gave me hope. I mean.... Yeah.
It's weird, but you kind of look a lot like my friend that helps me with my book as my editor.
Whenever someone says that self publishing is easier my response is "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA NO!"
A more up-to-date reply: you know you've become a writing cynic when you can honestly say Agatha Christie was a terrible writer!
Better than the, “real Alexa.”
I think it's different in many region. In Hungary, there is a great tradition of "knowing" someone, who will help you to get published, since there are no agents. So if you too shy or to introverted, you will start from minus. There are certain publishers who work differently, like they're organize competitions, and the winners take it all. And some publishers really read the drafts what the wannabe writers send to them through e-mail, and find some talented amateurs. But, most of the time, you can publish through connections.
You need to be aware that not all publishers are created equal. I am trad published from a small house publisher and they really do nothing for me. I wish I would have self published because my books are locked in with them. With a trad publisher, you're stuck with their people. Not all editors are good. Same goes for cover artists and with trad publishers, you're stuck with what you get. No updates/upgrades.
So you've lost the rights to publish that book anywhere else? :(
@@lizzychrome7630 Yes. While they have the rights I cannot publish anything to continue the series as the publisher has control over them. And until I get the rights back I can't do anything with them.
@@dianawilson13 More motivation for me to self publish. 😳 I'm really sorry you're stuck in this spot. I hope you can get out of that publishing house soon.
For your next book or (second print on this one), feel free to message me for a free cover suggestion. You should have used a different shade of violet, to make it more pleasing for the eye.
LOL crappy vampire novels!!! Love it =P
11:21 🤣🤣😂😂
Also, the self-publishing... oof....
What is YA?
TMC presentations Young Adult
Whoa has hands