It’s time to dust off this site and try to focus. I’ve spent the last few months since finishing my Master of Fine Arts degree just catching up on everything I had to set aside to focus. And there’s still a lot to do, but I have to write. I need to write.
First, I can honestly say that my novel is good. Not perfect, but it’s passed the sniff test of the poor souls that volunteered to be my beta readers. That alone is wonderful to hear. The instructor from my thesis class also indicated it was pretty good, though she left me a pile of notes. Revision and editing: the struggle is real! Now comes the hard part as I work through my revision and editing process: making a decision.
The question is quite simple. I would even venture to say that it is straightforward. Do I put together a bunch of query letters to publishers and agents, or do I publish a non-traditional route? For such a direct question, the options are far more complex than it seems.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. The traditional route gives the advantage of using the publisher’s editors, graphic artists, distribution routes, and even their reputation for selling the novel. Additionally, the traditional route may find my novel in a local bookstore. Unfortunately, this aid comes at the cost of lower income from the sale of each copy. Conversely, going the self-publishing route means I have to hire my own copy editor and graphic artist, handle page layouts on my own, and establish and maintain my own distribution routes. Additionally, there is a much lower probability that my novel will grace the shelves of a local bookstore.
This is a stressful and frustrating decision to make. And one that is quite opinionated. I know folks who strongly believe that publishers provide a significant service and that the losses in per-novel royalties are far less than the expenses of directly hiring folks to get the novel ready to be published. Conversely, I know self-published authors who are just as adamant that the expenses of directly hiring editors and artists are a drop in the bucket compared to the higher potential returns of their direct sales. And what bothers me the most is that both sides of the debate have presented me with convincing evidence to back their claims.
So, as of right now, I’m not sure which action to take. What I do know is I need to do some revision and editing and move forward with my novel. If I am lucky, I will make a decision and move forward.