tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post3160124079537457607..comments2023-10-29T01:06:52.133-07:00Comments on Art Edwards - Laying Down the Law: Don't Tell me the OddsArt Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595801214227949028noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-28203905496463329422010-12-06T08:22:25.549-08:002010-12-06T08:22:25.549-08:00Yup. Gotta write that killer query. :)Yup. Gotta write that killer query. :)Sarahttp://saraflower.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-46916980679678496382010-02-19T13:21:34.220-08:002010-02-19T13:21:34.220-08:00Congrats, Anna.
There always has to be a way for ...Congrats, Anna.<br /><br />There always has to be a way for artists to go it alone, and for as cheaply as possible. POD and ebooks have finally made that possible for writers.Art Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08595801214227949028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-71711651956898614702010-02-19T13:14:58.438-08:002010-02-19T13:14:58.438-08:00Ebooks have changed the odds for the self-publishe...Ebooks have changed the odds for the self-published author.<br /><br />I tried the traditional route, you know -- query, query, query, rejection, rejection, rejection (repeat 100 times). Discouraged, I put my MS away for 4 years.<br /><br />Then Amazon introduced the Kindle store, and they encouraged indies to upload their work. It cost me nothing to do that (my daughter designed the covers and I did the uploading).<br /><br />It was the best investment I've ever made. I'm not getting rich (ha, not yet), but I'm making some money -- enough to motivate me to finish the third book and continue on to book #4.<br /><br />Will I ever have an agent? Who knows -- if someone comes forward with an offer I'll certainly consider it. Right now I like being my own agent. I control the price, artwork, and editorial, and I retain the rights to my work.<br /><br />Anna MurrayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-84231619477987703452010-02-17T16:15:09.701-08:002010-02-17T16:15:09.701-08:00... The answer depends on the definition of succes...... The answer depends on the definition of success.<br /><br />If the definition of success is money hand over fist, an individual might experience a large amount of frustration and hairloss based on the numbers. <br /><br />If the definition is fearlessly pursuing your dream, breaking down doors and relentlessly laying down the law then you are successful. <br /><br />You are a success ... An award winning musician and writer. It doesn't matter if it is aligned with the world's definition.Brenthttp://www.myspace.com/nostonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-57620630603369598512010-02-17T08:06:19.985-08:002010-02-17T08:06:19.985-08:00I believe the writer should first try all avenues....I believe the writer should first try all avenues. Publishing is a business - a sales business. A lot of writers don't have the ability to see their crafted piece of art as a 'product' to sell. If you don't have a business minded perspective then go the traditional route. Take the time to figure out what you can do, will do, and want to do with your writing career.LM Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16624508396760965680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-386750126025692332010-02-15T21:38:47.395-08:002010-02-15T21:38:47.395-08:00Mark,
I too genuinely enjoyed the self-publishing...Mark,<br /><br />I too genuinely enjoyed the self-publishing process, getting the chance to do the whole package right, or otherwise. <br /><br />James, <br /><br />If I were a salesman for self-publishing--and I'm not-- control of both the art and the business would be my main selling point. <br /> <br />ArtArt Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08595801214227949028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-55081779894280986922010-02-15T14:48:58.329-08:002010-02-15T14:48:58.329-08:00In my experience, I was able to secure two reputab...In my experience, I was able to secure two reputable agents the past seven years. Guess how many book deals I got? None. Which is why I'm self-publishing. Getting an agent (even a high-powered one), doesn't mean automatic book deal. <br /><br />And even if you get a call from Random House, it could be two years before you see your book on the shelves. Through the process, they can edit the hell out your book, too. That's another reason I'm choosing to self-publish. <br /><br />Selling a self-published book is hard, but I'm willing to take my chances than with a big house chopping up what I wrote.James W. Lewishttp://www.pantheoncollective.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-62145380931610889542010-02-15T08:11:44.831-08:002010-02-15T08:11:44.831-08:00Good thoughts....It depends on the definition of s...Good thoughts....It depends on the definition of success. If success means your book is purchased and published by a major publishing house, and you will settle for nothing less, then you pretty much have no choice but to slog away in the agent world. I've seen people who are in their 50's who have been shopping the same manuscript for decades, hoping they break through. No thanks. <br /><br />But if on the other hand, success means you have created a story that you love, and you enjoy the process of editing, typesetting, working with artists, designing websites, networking with other writers and bookstores, and building your platform from the ground up - and owning this entire process, keeping creative and financial control in a vice grip... and then presenting your work to the world to have it embraced and ignored. That's more appealing to me. My most successful moment as a writer was when a book club invited me into their house to talk about my first book. To sit in that living room with a dozen folks who had read my novel and field questions was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.<br /><br />You can slog away hoping to land an agent - which does not mean your book will be published - or you can focus your energy on moving forward with your project and enjoy the process as much as the payoff. <br /><br />Sending queries to agents and hoping for a response? That was not fun.<br /><br />Writing a book and publishing it myself - that's an experience I will always love.Mark Mhttp://thecigarmaker.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5711076752515383013.post-38296831118785097652010-02-15T08:01:47.293-08:002010-02-15T08:01:47.293-08:00The ugly truth. Sounds about as likely as making ...The ugly truth. Sounds about as likely as making it in music. Trying to become a household name in any of the arts can a class in brick wall etiquette.Randynoreply@blogger.com