Wonderful comments are starting to come in from first readers of Years of Stone. I begin most mornings with edits, rereads, and revision. I've also started working that list of potential agents. I'm reading more online, various blogs, and dipping into snarky agent query tips. Most mornings I feel good about my progress, though I did blow 3 hours on researching potential Australian agents before deciding that's not the right market. It's not like I can just pop over to Hobart or Brisbane.
So many of the articles I've read recently point to a basic shift in publishing -- the traditional route or e-publishing. There's something to be said for traditional publishing, but do I aspire to literary recognition? A terribly long writing career? A place on any best seller list? No!
What I really would like is to have some readers like my stories, maybe a few more readers than that so-close-to-vanity-press label 'family and friends.' Though family and friends would be good. Dear husband Allen is a purist. He wants my writing to be recognized professionally. With an agent. And a publisher. Since I've begun seriously writing on retiring from a teaching career, I don't have decades ahead. So, perhaps like other otaws (older than average writers), I vascillate ever closer to e-pubbing.
To keep me from jumping too quickly into researching the next novel, Rivers of Stone, the third in the MacDonnell saga, I've decided to experiment with an e-pub collection of short stories and join
ROW80, a lovely writing challenge called A Round of Words in 80 Days, that requires measurable goals and accountability -- and blogger posts on Weds and Sundays.
ROW80 Goals for the week to complete by Sunday, July 28.
1. Complete edits for Section 1 Years of Stone.
2. Revise two stories for The Mermaid Quilt and Other Tales.
3. Decide whether Amazon or Smashwords works best for me.
4. Identify five potential agents for Years of Stone.
5. Draw two pictures for The Mermaid Quilt and Other Tales.
Dream on. May your own projects for the coming week go well!
I went and read about ROW 80 and immediately began to experience gastric distress. The idea of HAVING TO WRITE on a regular basis frightens me to death!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear this, Beth. You have worked hard and I believe you will succeed. I'm at the airport, heading for Australia, as I write this. You may not hear from me for a bit, but I will continue to check in with your blog. All the best.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to dip your feet in the water of self-pubbing to see how you like it. Best of luck!
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