A Kick Ass Way To Get Your Novel Published
September 8, 2008
For me, writing a whole novel is a huge challenge, never mind actually getting it published. But other folk I know are zooming ahead.
My friend Rita, over at Rita’s Digest didn’t follow the traditional route to get her novel published – she used a real kick ass approach. Her way isn’t for the timid, but it certainly got her noticed. She explains it better than I could in this article: My Novel Is Going To Be Published.
And Kelly over at She Power is also making great progress with her novel. For a while, Kelly has shared her short fiction online and now she’s on the third draft of her book, she’s posted an extract on her blog. I think this is a brave move and definitely one which will pay off for her. You can read her extract of “Running With The Dead” here.
As someone who has struggled with novel writing for years, I am in awe of these two. Often, I get bored with the story, or the character’s problems leave me feeling emotionally drained.
Have you written a novel, or are you writing one? What challenges did you experience?
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17 Responses to “A Kick Ass Way To Get Your Novel Published”
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I can’t imagine how anyone could manage to write a novel. It’s like writing 100 ebooks at once! I give major kudos to anyone who writes one, whether they get it published or not.
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Self Promotion For Wimps
One day I will write a book. Currently I just don’t have the time.
Good info as usual..
~ Jim
Jim Gaudet’s last blog post..Remarkablogger Blog Traffic Jumpstart 2
I agree with Hunter.
I said it before – maybe not here: I DO NOT have a novel insode of me just waiting to be written. Seriously, some people are just happy blogging.
Vered – MomGrind’s last blog post..You Read Women’s Magazines? I’ll Give You Ten Reasons To Stop
He, nice article.
Makes me think about writing a book, also downloaded your e-book.
I found you on remarkablogger.com and added you to my google reader. Come and check out my blog if you like, http://www.financialbeast.com
Thanks you and enjoying your blog everyday now.
Marc Williams’s last blog post..Good news about Mortgages
Hi Hunter – that’s a good way of describing it. I must admit, non-fiction is easier as it doesn’t require as much editing.
Hi Jim – lack of time is what a lot of folk struggle with isn’t it. It’s so unfair that folk like Rita and Kelly get 28 hours in a day instead of 24
Hi Vered – that’s true. People shouldn’t feel they have to write a book to have their writing taken seriously.
Hi Marc – thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I hope the ebook is useful to you.
I will check out your blog – I must confess I’m only about quarter of the way through the Remarkablogger list.
Hi Rita – You’re welcome. That’s good advice. I still like the original plot this time. Trouble is, I was advised to change it by someone. I don’t like the new plot, it’s totally changed the theme of the novel and I really should revert back to the old one. So I’ve got to scrap several chapters and go back to the beginning.
I can see how their plot idea was also good, but it’s not what I want to write.
I’ve ‘dabbled’ a little with creative writing, Cath.
I’m a fan of short stories and poetry and have managed to get a few published. Absolutely nothing major, just a couple of small scale competitions and local publications.
It would be great to have the creativity, time, and perseverence to pen that one novel that we all have within us (apparently).
Maybe one day…. maybe one day
Hi Cath,
I’ve got a novel I’ve been working on for 20 years — though I think sufficient time has passed now since I last worked on it that I should stop bragging about it…
There is a writing contest held every year where you try to finish a whole novel in a long weekend. I’ve always wanted to do it, but it’s Labour Day Weekend, so we are doing the last minute summer stuff, or getting the kids ready for school. My wife’s birthday fell on that weekend this year too, which doesn’t help!
But one year, I will do it. That will likely be the first novel I finish.
In the meantime, I’m past thinking that novelists are the only “true” writers. I pay the bills with my writing, and honestly, that is the most important thing for me.
~Graham
Graham Strong’s last blog post..Finding the Time
I’ll have to check out how Rita is getting her novel published. I’m really not at the point of thinking about agents and publishers yet. I’m still trying to pin down the story, then I have to edit. But I am proud I have finished two complete drafts so thank you so much for the plug and it would be nice if more people came to check out my stories now.
I think the key to finishing a novel is finidng the right process for you. I have about 5 half written novels because for years I didn’t use a process that helped me finish. I would start off all gung ho then get disillusioned and stop.. Now I see I was mixing up all the stages of writing – planning, creative writing and editing and that was bringing out the perfectionist within who was never happy with what I wrote.
I think it can be useful to listen to people’s advice about our story as long as they know what they are talking about and what they are saying resonates with us. I really do believe when we hear someone’s assessment of our story, our instincts will know if it’s valid, even if we don’t like what they are saying. We FEEL the truth. But often people may think they know how our story should go, but their thoughts would make it their story, not yours. Don’t change your plot for someone.
As for marketability, I think this can be valid for the genre or style, but your story must e your own otherwise what’s unique about it? Even so, I think if you feel like you have a story in you or you want to express yourself in this art form then I say forget marketing and tell your truth. Fill it with conflict and it can be good no matter what it’s about. Later, you can figure out what to do with it. You can always self publish.
Kelly.
Kelly@SHE-POWER’s last blog post..Kickstart Your Brain With 21 TRUE Trivia Tidbits
I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I see myself more as a nonfiction writer. I read Kelly’s excerpt and I thought it was excellent. I also thought that Rita’s strategy for getting published took a lot of cojones.
Marelisa’s last blog post..How to Make Decisions
Hi Catherine,
I don’t feel I have a novel in me, but maybe an ebook or two. Although I do like to write, I like the fact I can do it in short excerpts via a blog.
I admire those who work on novels. It’s a lot of hard work and long hours. Whether they get them published or not, it says a lot about their character and perseverance. Kudos to all of you.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Reflecting On Our Online Presence
I have a book written and it’s out doing the rounds of agents. I’m starting my next one.
Yes, I’m doing the traditional route. I couldn’t do it how Rita did. The type of agents and publishers I want to work with would be one of the people who walked away from Rita’s lunch (or not even taken the bait in the first place). I’m happy it worked for Rita, and maybe with my way I’ll have less chance of getting published but we all make our choices as to how to act and those actions make up who we are in the long run.
Good luck with the novel Cath – and I say stick to what works for you – if you’re passionate about the book and your writing is anywhere as good as it is here on the blog, then you will craft a fine novel. Just get the first draft written then worry about polishing it later.
Cheers,
Alex
Alex Fayle’s last blog post..Trapped in the Day-to-Day: Urban Panther Interview Part 1
Oh, I didn’t mention challenges…
I found just committing to regular writing was the challenge, but I had an outline. I loved the characters and the story, so I just kept going. Usually no more than 1500 words a day (often less) and often going 3 or 4 days without writing, but I kept coming back to it and four months later got the first draft done. It then took me a year and a half more to get it to a level that I’m super-duper proud of. (Like Kelly it took 3 drafts).
Alex Fayle’s last blog post..Discovering a Passion for Blogging: Interview with the Urban Panther Part 2
I am with Alex on this one. Good for Rita, if it worked for her; it was quick and dirty. I, personally, would be concerned about an building a long term relationship within the industry for operating in a open and honest way. I am not sure that subterfuge will get you more than one book deal.
Urban Panther’s last blog post..To poo or not to poo, that is the question.
@Rita
I’m sure it’s a great book or no matter what you did it wouldn’t have been picked up. And yes, lots of deals are done on the golf-course and lots of business is done starting with a lie or two. It’s not, however, business that I would ever get involved in. As I said, I’m super happy it worked for you – it’s just not a way I’d work. I prefer to start from a position of truth – as I said, it might never get me published, but it fits with who I am.
Cheers,
Alex
Alex Fayle’s last blog post..Discovering a Passion for Blogging: Urban Panther Interview Part 2
Hi Rita – that is a good point. It was a novelist I took advice off but he writes very different things to me. I know what you mean about marketability and I’m going to go back to the original.
Hi Scott – that is absolutely brilliant. Short stories are meant to be one of the most difficult things to get published.
Hi Graham – that is a long time. I would forget what I’d written by then. That competition sounds interesting. I’ve seen the 24 hours short story ones before but not a novel in a weekend.
Hi Mare – I can imagine you writing a really good non-fiction book, judging by your blog articles. I agree – Rita’s move was really brave.
Hi Barbara – that would be brilliant if you would write an ebook. Like you, I must admit, I’ve got used to writing blog length stuff and it’s quite difficult to do anything else.
Hi Alex – 1500 words a day working on your novel is brilliant. 1000 a day seems to be the average, from what I’ve read, so you’re doing great.
Re: Getting published, Rita’s way is not for everyone. I guess you’ve got to do what’s best for you.
Hi UP – As I said to Alex, we’ve all got to do what is right for us. I don’t think Rita’s way would prevent her from having future work published. From what I’ve heard, most publishers want more than one book out of an author. Apparently, on a new author they struggle to make enough to cover the advance, in most cases.
Hi Rita – They wouldn’t have accepted your book if it wasn’t good. You just found a way to get it in front of someone to look at.
But I don’t believe you just have one book in you. You’ve written some excellent stuff on your blog and I’m betting you’ll easily come up with more.
And I’m betting you do have more books in you
Hi Rita – that is good – they’ll make sure you get a good deal. And it’s great that you’re meeting the publisher again. If she’d hated you, she wouldn’t be publishing your book.
When Kelly’s finished, I bet she’d be happy if you offered to introduce her.