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Post by WickedCrustacean on Jul 9, 2019 9:56:19 GMT -5
I think it says that I am way too jaded, but I was certain both of you were being sarcastic above. And you weren't. <WickedCrustacean is struck with a critical non-sarcasm hit for 50,000 points of damage> I am also about halfway through the book. Train came to work right at the most cliff-hanger moment.
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Post by Tig on Aug 20, 2019 14:15:39 GMT -5
Just a quick update. I have two solicitations out for publishing agents. We'll see if anyone bites. Publishing agents are the best way to go for new unpublished authors. Most of the reputable publishing houses will not even entertain a new script unless it's written by someone they've worked with or at least heard of before. A good publishing agent will also be able to advise on things like the overall length of the book and whether certain tones or themes need to be changed. I must say the whole ordeal is taxing but very exciting.
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Post by WickedCrustacean on Aug 20, 2019 20:54:02 GMT -5
So what do publishing agents do exactly, they publish the book or negotiate with the publishing houses? Asking for a friend (in case his book gets finished in the next 20 years).
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Post by Tig on Aug 21, 2019 10:25:23 GMT -5
They operate on a commission (the good ones do) and just scout out a publishing house that is the best fit for your book. Some houses won't print true crime or political non-fiction while others are ravenous for sci fi and cheesy romance. The publishing agent also reads the book so they can say definitively this book is worth publishing to the publisher. Any author proud of his work is going to say "yeah it's worth publishing", but a publishing agent doesn't get paid unless the book is published AND SELLS, so their motivation is much more subjective and sincere. The publishing house knows this and the weight of the agent's words are, therefore, heavier. Some houses have agents they work with more directly so if you find an agent that works frequently with Gramercy Press or Random House, and they like the book, there's a good chance you're in.
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Post by Tig on Aug 22, 2019 10:11:30 GMT -5
Got my first rejection letter! Woohoo!
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Post by WickedCrustacean on Aug 22, 2019 12:40:26 GMT -5
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Post by Tig on Aug 22, 2019 13:03:39 GMT -5
HP Lovecraft was turned down over 200 times.
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Post by Mako on Aug 22, 2019 18:35:39 GMT -5
Challenge accepted? When it's meant to be it will happen. Just so frustrating waiting for it to.
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Post by Tig on Aug 22, 2019 19:19:13 GMT -5
It's all good. I signed on for the experience.
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Post by WickedCrustacean on Aug 23, 2019 9:06:09 GMT -5
It's kinda weird, but I find creative writing to be very therapeutic too. You can sometimes express certain things through other characters or dialogue or whatever that would be very difficult to say to other people, or even put down in a diary.
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Post by Mako on Aug 23, 2019 12:46:04 GMT -5
That's why I love to roleplay in an MMO. Makes the game more immersive and adds meaning to what is going on, but also serves as an outlet. You can write short stories or a long interconnected one, too.
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Post by Tig on Aug 23, 2019 15:49:14 GMT -5
This has, by far, been the most fun and rewarding experience I've had as a hobby. Not only did I get to create a world but I populated it and controlled how much conflict, sadness, celebration, etc., occurred in it. I got to live in it and live through my characters and I had the adventure of a lifetime. I'm addicted now; I started a sequel already.
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Post by Taibi on Mar 22, 2020 4:49:42 GMT -5
While you are shopping around still, are you also thinking of the next story?
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Post by Tig on Mar 22, 2020 11:39:10 GMT -5
I've already written a prologue for the first one while I whittle at an outline. I've been reading more than writing lately so it's been slow going. It's a sequel, of sorts, but I'm thinking of putting it on pause while I research for a historical fiction novel about a siege. I have so much more of the outline complete in my head for that book but the research could take a year and I really just want to pound at the keys again, so I bounce back and forth. Worrying about retirement and now the recent flu nonsense, plus recent struggling with other psychological issues, has been very heavy on my mind so that hasn't helped any. I had 3 days off last week and didn't touch either story or write a publishing agent for my completed one. I need to pull my head out and get back into it.
Speaking of, I've been turned down seven or eight times and I have two more out right now. I bought the 2020 Guide to Literary Agents to try and find more to just try the shotgun approach. I have found two publishing houses I like that specialize in sci fi and they're actively soliciting new authors directly. I would send them a manuscript but they don't want it if you have your work sent out to anyone else simultaneously and they take months if not half the year to get back to you. Very frustrating but it's a good backup to have.
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Post by Taibi on Mar 22, 2020 11:47:38 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about the mental issues. As always, feel free to reach out, if need be. It is no secret I have struggled with those myself.
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