Writing Journey #22- Publishing
I FINISHED THE FIRST BOOK. I’ve been putting the finishing touches on the story, and I’m happy with the results. It’s been a literal lifetime in the making, and I’m done. At least with the first book. For me, that’s a big accomplishment! I’m happy and excited and ready for the next step in the process.
SELF PUBLISHING was my initial idea. I know many indie creators (people putting their ideas and stories on Youtube, Tiktok, and Webtoons, to name a few) doing very well for themselves.
They don’t have movie or comic deals with large publishing houses, but they’re throwing their ideas, work, and labor of love into the world. They’re doing something with their ideas instead of letting them stagnate in the unknown. And they’re making it work, independently.
That’s what I wanted to do! I still want to do it. If all else falls through, I’m just going to write, finish my stories, and then self publish them. They may not be the best, but it’ll be my story, and it’ll finally be out there. I’m doing this.
I LOOKED INTO KINDLE DIRECT PUBLISHING. Or KDP. I looked up reviews, watched videos about the process, and researched before diving into it. I like the idea!
So I started formatting my book with Kindle Create (a program that formats your manuscript in a file ready for ebook publishing), and I have to say the results are looking good! The overall look is crisp, professional, and I’m eager to see the finished product. It’ll be nice to tell people here’s the book. Finally, it’s done, it’s ready, and you can read it!
I’ve been working in Kindel Create and wanted to have the book out by Christmas 2020! I’ve been looking up ways to promote it: book review blogs, book review bloggers, and Booktubers. You know, people I can send the book to, get reviews, and get the word about the book out there before the launch.
If it sells, if it does well, if anything, that’ll be up to the powers that be. What’s most important to me, at least right now, is that I finish the story. Finish it all, and put it out there. I can worry about what comes next once I’m at that point.
ON THE DAY I WAS PREPARING the final Kindle Create file, I received an email from one of the writers I follow. Her name is Hope Clark. I subscribe to her newsletter, which is always full of publishers, contests, writing news, helpful tips, and writing jobs.
I always frequent the publisher and agents section of the newsletter. I usually look for publishers and agents in my genre, then write to them with the chapters and cover letter, waiting for a response. So far, no luck, but I always try to see if there’s a new publisher or agent listed that I may have missed.
On this day, I happened upon the newest newsletter in my inbox. I hadn’t read it in a while, and I figured, hey, why not check it out? Today there could be something good. DAW books was open to submissions.
THERE IS ONE PUBLISHER I’VE HAD MY EYE ON since the beginning. Way back, when I was looking for publishers, DAW books kept popping up. They’re the publishing house that I have always wanted to publish with. If there was one publisher that I’d wish to be a part of, it’s DAW. Unfortunately, DAW closed their doors to submissions years ago. I check back now and again to see if they’re once again accepting manuscripts.
In all honestly, the most enticing thing about publishing with them is that they asked for unagented work and the whole manuscript, and that was it for the most part. Othe major publishers wanted an agent, the first 5 chapters, a cover letter, and your work could be turned down without ever being fully read and completely understood.
But I mean, that’s the face of traditional publishing, in general. It’s rough, difficult, and it isn’t easy to get a deal. I’ve been trying to get my books read, agented, published, and pickup for years. I’ve written and rewritten more than I care to admit, but I feel like this latest iteration is the one I’m happiest with. I have to throttle through the rest of the series, get my story out there, and let God take care of the rest.
Whew, at 8:58 on 10/28/2020 I put the finishing touches on my book. I wrote the query letter. And I sent it to the publisher on the top of my list that has been closed to submissions for a long time. They just opened back up. Awaiting a reply in the next 3 months!
— Hand of Rel (@handofrel) October 29, 2020
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I SENT MY MANUSCRIPT TO DAW BOOKS. It says that it takes about 3 or so months for them to come to a decision. So I am assuming maybe early February or March? I don’t know what will happen, but this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. And if they reject my book? Well, it’ll be formatted and ready to be self-published.
Publishing with DAW Books would be a dream come true! But either way, I’m getting the story out there. Until then, I have more plans for the book, my art, and other social media. Please stay tuned! Fantastic things are happening. Let this be the first step to finally accomplishing my lifelong dream!
IF YOU ENJOY my work, please feel free to support me with some Kofi! Any support is appreciated, but not necessary 😉 It helps support me as a creator, so anything helps 😀 If you choose to buy me a coffee, I thank you, YOU ROCK!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading! I’ll be back with another entry next time. Stay creative and go make something! Tell the world your story, in the way that only you can. Please take care and God bless. Stay safe. Say I love you. Social distance and wash your hands. Cheers!
