The big question is: to self publish or go with a traditional publisher. #writetip #writing
My brother has just published his first novel: Maxwell Huxley’s Demon. He chose the self-publishing route. His book is available both in paperback and as an e-book.
Some say this is the easy route. After watching the amount of work Mike put into this, I don’t believe that’s true. He went through the same vigorous process of editing and proofing, of finding beta readers, of taking feedback. He found YA readers to comment before he published, making sure he had feedback from his target audience.
I decided on the traditional route and have an agent. Margaret Hart at the HSW Literary Agency is representing my work. This route involves the same amount of work my brother’s chosen route.
Mike and I are watching each other and learning from both processes. What we did learn is that we both love writing, so no matter what option you chose, if you love to write, the end result is you have created a novel. While we watch, scheme, plan and wait, hoping that Mike’s book takes off and mine gets published, we continue to write. That’s what this is all about.
Creative Story Editors 
I agree. The first challenge is to write the novel and have all the elements, characters, narrative, theme, etc, fit together well. There’s something almost mathematical about it–maybe that’s part of the appeal for me (and maybe for you, Ms. Spreadsheets). Can I actually create a complete novel? That’s a huge challenge–one you and Michael have already met. How one goes about getting published is separate and there are pros and cons to either approach, but neither is easy. These are very interesting days in the publishing industry.
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Jan – I know you secretly like spreadsheets too. That high tech background doesn’t just disappear. 🙂
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What fun for you and your bro to take this journey together! Best of luck to you:-) Have you ever thought of going with a small press?
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Jamie, I haven’t thought much about going with any press yet. My agent is taking care of that side of things. Mike may have. I’ll ask him. Thanks for the idea. It is fun to have someone close that I can do this with.
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It must be so fun to share your passion with your brother!
Publishing still befuddles me, but it’s good to see that with either route I decide to take, editing, proofing and feedback are still part of the process.
I wish both of you success with your novels!
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Thanks for the positive wishes. I’m befuddled too, and we’ll see how things turn out for both my brother and I. In the mean time, I’ll just keep writing.
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