This sounds exactly like my journey. I spent years researching the industry, tweaking my query and pages, and sent out several rounds of queries over the years. Eventually, I came to the realization that should I go the traditional route, I would only continue jumping through hoops in the hopes of getting any attention from people who are only interested in how much money you can make for them. Yes, the publisher takes the risk and investment and they have all the connections that could make you a big name author. But they also give out mediocre advances, expect you to do more and more every year (ex. marketing, signing events, etc.), and still might put your book on the back burner in favor of the author with more sales. I'm tired of the disrespect and I'm not taking it anymore. So, I decided to do it myself. I'll take all the risk and investment and maybe it'll pay off. Or I might fall flat on my face. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. Now, I have a publication date set for November with a Kickstarter pre-release for the special edition this October.
If there's anyone you should be willing to invest in, IT'S YOU! I'm so happy to hear this. Congrats on the success you've had already, and everything that's to come. I know this is just the beginning for you.
Hi Megan, I've been Trad-published, self-published, and finally I founded a small press. The books I publish are on the experimental end of the spectrum, but it does get me groceries every month. I've done 28 books and 7 audiobooks, by authors and artists from around the world. Sometimes you just have to do-it-yourself, especially if you are doing unique work and are avoiding the sausage grinder. Grants are one option for income, but word-of-mouth on the Internet can also be lightning. My press is nimble, adaptable, and I use print-on-demand, so I don't have pallets of books rotting in my garage. It's easy to publish today, the challenge is to find people who will donate their time and attention to the work. The magic formula for me is to make books that are innovative but still entertaining. If money was my primary concern, I would have gone into banking instead of publishing. But printing books is sometimes like printing dinero. The hard part is just getting the book put together in the first place, then if the book floats, you can collect royalties the rest of your life. Good luck finding a literary agent. I just tell people I have a secret agent to get a smile out of them. Here's a link to my retirement plan: postasemicpress.blogspot.com/
I think you are right. I have been trying to get an agent since the 1980s. During that time I have studied engineering at university (sensible), had a military career then trained and worked as a schoolteacher. Now retired, I came to the conclusion the best thing I could do was improve my writing, and self-publish. It is fun because I am in control. I stopped trying to get an agent. Their loss😇. I suspect agents may try to poach bestselling self-pubbed authors, but... what can they offer them? Not much.
This industry is very bizarre. I'm glad you carved your own path, though, and stopped waiting on agents. There's a world of opportunities out there, and I'm sure there are people dying to read your words!
I felt this video. 35 with 23 books written, no agent in sight. I feel pretty disillusioned with the entire querying process. Daniel Greene just posted a video talking about this very same thing, how the publishing industry is basically being held up by about 50 or so authors (most either Stephen King levels or celebrities). Whether its comics, movies, or books, it seems the storytelling industries as a whole are a house of cards ready to fall. Looks like there is no better time than to consider indie publishing--I know I will be.
Very interesting - "50 or so authors." I haven't heard that before! From everything I've learned, the industry has changed tremendously. I know this is normal and to be expected, but holy cow, it's challenging. I guess we just have to roll with it and carve our own paths!
I like your tenacity. Don't give up! I know someone who self publishes fantasy novels. He had one year where he made $70,000 but usually he makes between $10k and $20k per year with his novels.
And not easy for a guy writing romantic comedy. Impossible really as most of the readers, agents, editors and publishers are all women. Coming from a screenwriting background I didn't realize this.
I think either way its important to look at marketing the book yourself. Publishers will want to see you doing your bit, until it starts selling under itsown steam
I feel your frustration. I've wanted to be a published author since middle school. I have gotten lucky with a few poems and short stories, but publishing novels is a whole different animal. I've queried dozens and dozens of agents, but years later the two novels I've written and paid to be professionally edited are still not winning agents over. The closest I got was when an agent referenced my main character in her rejection. I was so excited, "Oh my God, did she actually look at my pages?!" I'm not giving up but I am getting rather tired of playing this game. I might move to self-publish in a few years if this keeps up...
You and I have had the SAME experience! Or similar, anyway. I totally feel you. If you ever need a writing buddy or just someone to talk shop with, shoot me a DM on Instagram! Or wherever. ByMeganGrant. It's helped me a ton to have a support system of fellow writers. :)
Hi Megan, interesting video. Could I perhaps read your first couple of chapters? I've been traditionally published, but I went straight to a publisher. But I know there are so many writers better than me who haven't, I don't know how it happened.
I'll say traditional publishing wasn't dead back in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and mid 2000s back then traditional publishing was the hit. But now it's dying because when you traditional publish it like you're still working for someone else it's rules. Just like with this publishing company I saw. I am a black woman and I am writing a story about Latino's and it was this Latino publishing company I called them and said I would like to publish my book with them. I told them that it was a Latino story and the lady was interested but when I told her I was black she said oh mommy, we only accept books written by Latino writers because as a black woman you know nothing about our Hispanic culture. Now in middle school I went to school with mostly Hispanic people. There was 30% blacks and 80% Hispanics and if you read my stories and screenplays you'll think a Hispanic wrote it because younger Hispanics speak English and Spanish, but the older Hispanics in my story dose not speak English and that's how it is in real life and Latino's kinda eat the same food black people eat beans and rice. So after she told me that I said to myself I think I should start my own book publishing company because I would not tell myself oh I have to be Latino. It's just too many rules. And I also write stories about white people and they wasn't saying I had to be white for them to accept my book they didn't care about that all they cared about if the story was good, but I still will be my own publisher and if I need any help I'll just ask them and I will hire a professional ghostwriter a one that is trustworthy because it's a lot of scams in ghostwriting especially if they charge $3,000 you know those cheap ones. I am going to be my own publisher and be my own film producer because if I keep waiting on someone to say I would like to make your book a movie I will be waiting forever.
It does seem like traditional publishing is not the best path anymore. Authors now have to become content creators. Building a platform then pitching your self-published book is the best bet. But building a platform is its own thing. People can make videos for years with no audience. And I don't think the world needs to see most writers making tik toks. So instead of not getting seen by agents. We don't get seen by subscribers. It just keeps getting further away from writing.
I hear you, 100%. I have to keep reassuring myself that people ARE reading and buying books. There IS demand. I just think there is an insane number of writers to very few agents and even fewer publishers. It's so saturated.
Traditional publishing is most definitely not dead. Thousands of books are still printed every year. Some of them good, some of them awful. It's all subjective. Getting an agent is "so dam hard" because you have to make money for them, as you do for a publishing house that accepts your manuscript. They aren't doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. I was in your position 20-30 years ago and I have never been traditionally published. I don't care. I write because I love writing. You're obviously a talented non-fiction writer if you've built a "six figure business". I dream of building a 4 figure business in writing, let alone six.
Listen, trad publishing is far from perfect. Agents and editors are overworked. Self-publishing and social media are challenging what's worked for publishers in the past. But no, trad publishing is not dead. It's still the best path for a lot of writers like myself while self-publishing is the best path for others.
I am a writer. I'm looking for a business partner. Unfortunately, I live in the Republic of Belarus. Belarusians refused to publish my book “Life without problems.” I have one book in English, “Cosmic Laws and World Domination.” Maybe you will agree to become my co-author and publish this book in England.
This sounds exactly like my journey. I spent years researching the industry, tweaking my query and pages, and sent out several rounds of queries over the years. Eventually, I came to the realization that should I go the traditional route, I would only continue jumping through hoops in the hopes of getting any attention from people who are only interested in how much money you can make for them. Yes, the publisher takes the risk and investment and they have all the connections that could make you a big name author. But they also give out mediocre advances, expect you to do more and more every year (ex. marketing, signing events, etc.), and still might put your book on the back burner in favor of the author with more sales. I'm tired of the disrespect and I'm not taking it anymore. So, I decided to do it myself. I'll take all the risk and investment and maybe it'll pay off. Or I might fall flat on my face. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. Now, I have a publication date set for November with a Kickstarter pre-release for the special edition this October.
If there's anyone you should be willing to invest in, IT'S YOU! I'm so happy to hear this. Congrats on the success you've had already, and everything that's to come. I know this is just the beginning for you.
Hi Megan, I've been Trad-published, self-published, and finally I founded a small press. The books I publish are on the experimental end of the spectrum, but it does get me groceries every month. I've done 28 books and 7 audiobooks, by authors and artists from around the world. Sometimes you just have to do-it-yourself, especially if you are doing unique work and are avoiding the sausage grinder. Grants are one option for income, but word-of-mouth on the Internet can also be lightning. My press is nimble, adaptable, and I use print-on-demand, so I don't have pallets of books rotting in my garage. It's easy to publish today, the challenge is to find people who will donate their time and attention to the work. The magic formula for me is to make books that are innovative but still entertaining. If money was my primary concern, I would have gone into banking instead of publishing. But printing books is sometimes like printing dinero. The hard part is just getting the book put together in the first place, then if the book floats, you can collect royalties the rest of your life. Good luck finding a literary agent. I just tell people I have a secret agent to get a smile out of them. Here's a link to my retirement plan: postasemicpress.blogspot.com/
Manifest your desires, yes!!!! 🙌 thank you for sharing your insights.
I think you are right. I have been trying to get an agent since the 1980s. During that time I have studied engineering at university (sensible), had a military career then trained and worked as a schoolteacher. Now retired, I came to the conclusion the best thing I could do was improve my writing, and self-publish. It is fun because I am in control. I stopped trying to get an agent. Their loss😇. I suspect agents may try to poach bestselling self-pubbed authors, but... what can they offer them? Not much.
This industry is very bizarre. I'm glad you carved your own path, though, and stopped waiting on agents. There's a world of opportunities out there, and I'm sure there are people dying to read your words!
I felt this video. 35 with 23 books written, no agent in sight. I feel pretty disillusioned with the entire querying process. Daniel Greene just posted a video talking about this very same thing, how the publishing industry is basically being held up by about 50 or so authors (most either Stephen King levels or celebrities). Whether its comics, movies, or books, it seems the storytelling industries as a whole are a house of cards ready to fall. Looks like there is no better time than to consider indie publishing--I know I will be.
Very interesting - "50 or so authors." I haven't heard that before! From everything I've learned, the industry has changed tremendously. I know this is normal and to be expected, but holy cow, it's challenging. I guess we just have to roll with it and carve our own paths!
I like your tenacity. Don't give up! I know someone who self publishes fantasy novels. He had one year where he made $70,000 but usually he makes between $10k and $20k per year with his novels.
That is INCREDIBLE! I hope he's proud of himself. Writing a book is hard, let alone selling it! And thank you for the kind words, also. :-)
And not easy for a guy writing romantic comedy. Impossible really as most of the readers, agents, editors and publishers are all women. Coming from a screenwriting background I didn't realize this.
I feel like that shouldn't matter! If it's a good story, it's a good story. Period. Don't give up.
There are a few out there! Mike Gayle and Drew Davies are great.
Thank you for your thoughts! You made me think of a raw idea: is being a writer nowadays a matter of endure regardless of the professional status?
I think either way its important to look at marketing the book yourself. Publishers will want to see you doing your bit, until it starts selling under itsown steam
I feel your frustration. I've wanted to be a published author since middle school. I have gotten lucky with a few poems and short stories, but publishing novels is a whole different animal. I've queried dozens and dozens of agents, but years later the two novels I've written and paid to be professionally edited are still not winning agents over. The closest I got was when an agent referenced my main character in her rejection. I was so excited, "Oh my God, did she actually look at my pages?!" I'm not giving up but I am getting rather tired of playing this game. I might move to self-publish in a few years if this keeps up...
You and I have had the SAME experience! Or similar, anyway. I totally feel you. If you ever need a writing buddy or just someone to talk shop with, shoot me a DM on Instagram! Or wherever. ByMeganGrant. It's helped me a ton to have a support system of fellow writers. :)
Hi Megan, interesting video. Could I perhaps read your first couple of chapters? I've been traditionally published, but I went straight to a publisher. But I know there are so many writers better than me who haven't, I don't know how it happened.
I'll say traditional publishing wasn't dead back in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and mid 2000s back then traditional publishing was the hit. But now it's dying because when you traditional publish it like you're still working for someone else it's rules. Just like with this publishing company I saw. I am a black woman and I am writing a story about Latino's and it was this Latino publishing company I called them and said I would like to publish my book with them. I told them that it was a Latino story and the lady was interested but when I told her I was black she said oh mommy, we only accept books written by Latino writers because as a black woman you know nothing about our Hispanic culture. Now in middle school I went to school with mostly Hispanic people. There was 30% blacks and 80% Hispanics and if you read my stories and screenplays you'll think a Hispanic wrote it because younger Hispanics speak English and Spanish, but the older Hispanics in my story dose not speak English and that's how it is in real life and Latino's kinda eat the same food black people eat beans and rice. So after she told me that I said to myself I think I should start my own book publishing company because I would not tell myself oh I have to be Latino. It's just too many rules. And I also write stories about white people and they wasn't saying I had to be white for them to accept my book they didn't care about that all they cared about if the story was good, but I still will be my own publisher and if I need any help I'll just ask them and I will hire a professional ghostwriter a one that is trustworthy because it's a lot of scams in ghostwriting especially if they charge $3,000 you know those cheap ones. I am going to be my own publisher and be my own film producer because if I keep waiting on someone to say I would like to make your book a movie I will be waiting forever.
It does seem like traditional publishing is not the best path anymore.
Authors now have to become content creators.
Building a platform then pitching your self-published book is the best bet.
But building a platform is its own thing.
People can make videos for years with no audience.
And I don't think the world needs to see most writers making tik toks.
So instead of not getting seen by agents.
We don't get seen by subscribers.
It just keeps getting further away from writing.
I hear you, 100%. I have to keep reassuring myself that people ARE reading and buying books. There IS demand. I just think there is an insane number of writers to very few agents and even fewer publishers. It's so saturated.
Traditional publishing is most definitely not dead. Thousands of books are still printed every year. Some of them good, some of them awful. It's all subjective.
Getting an agent is "so dam hard" because you have to make money for them, as you do for a publishing house that accepts your manuscript.
They aren't doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.
I was in your position 20-30 years ago and I have never been traditionally published. I don't care. I write because I love writing.
You're obviously a talented non-fiction writer if you've built a "six figure business". I dream of building a 4 figure business in writing, let alone six.
Listen, trad publishing is far from perfect. Agents and editors are overworked. Self-publishing and social media are challenging what's worked for publishers in the past. But no, trad publishing is not dead. It's still the best path for a lot of writers like myself while self-publishing is the best path for others.
Agreed! Every writer is different. :-) I can imagine that agents/editors wear a ton of hats. The industry has changed a lot.
I am a writer. I'm looking for a business partner. Unfortunately, I live in the Republic of Belarus. Belarusians refused to publish my book “Life without problems.” I have one book in English, “Cosmic Laws and World Domination.” Maybe you will agree to become my co-author and publish this book in England.