The Lonely Road

In my last post, I discussed the choice between focusing upon seeking Agent representation versus the search for publishing directly at the source. Today, I am going to consider a more substantial question: traditional publishing vs self-publishing:

Traditional Publishing

The path of Traditional Publishing has been fairly set for a long time. Changes in the industry have certainly stirred things up from time to time, but the larger game still holds today. Money. The big five publishing companies choose titles not unlike the film industry. Big blockbusters and heavy hitters provide the revenue stream while smaller or untested works often eek by on the backs of these bigger sellers. The opportunity for taking chances on untested concepts or authors is certainly there, but largely limited.

To Agent or Not to Agent?

I've discovered a few things in my quest for publication. One thing I've discovered is that there are some publishers that will not accept unsolicited manuscripts, period. These publishers require an agent representing the author to directly reach out and provide the submission. I'm sure that this provides the publisher with valuable benefits as they do not have to sift through hundreds, if not more, of submissions, paying interns and entry staff to find the diamond in the ruff. Having a trusted name in the form of a known agent telling them everything they need to know about the manuscript up front is by far cheaper and simpler.

However, there are still publishers who will accept unsolicited manuscripts, allowing the author to submit their work directly. Sometimes the open callings are only for a short period of time to limit the likely deluge, but this still offers the author direct access without the need of a representative. This being the case, it is fair to ask, Should I find an agent to represent me or go at it alone? 

The Dreaded Synopsis

So, it's been a couple of weeks since my last post. As it has a tendency to, life got a bit crazy over the past few weeks. Between hectic schedules, car maintenance gone awry, and the close of the tax season; I've been a little drawn and quartered. But, I am still here and I am still chasing my dream; full publication of my book. 

I know that I've not said much about it here, apart from it being finally complete and chronicling the process of getting it into the right hands. In part that is because I am still looking for those right hands and I do not wish to compromise my options in publication. However, I will share something that I have learned along the way: If you want an Agent to read the full manuscript of your book, you need a synopsis. I know, I know, the dreaded synopsis. But, I will tell you, I have queried over a dozen agents and not one to date has requested to read the full book. I get that the premise might not be for everyone and certainly an agent's tastes are largely subjective. But not one even asked to read the whole thing before turning it down? That tells me there is something lacking in my approach. 

Et Tu, Email?

The road to publication is difficult. It is fraught with perils, dead ends, and more than its share emotional pit falls, as mentioned before. I know that there are some roadblocks I have yet to encounter, however, I would never have thought that my own email provider would be among them. No joke, my email provider told me 'no'.

Here's what happened: Literary agents have very specific guidelines for writing submissions. Most I've encountered have preferred that the submitting author send an email containing the basic query letter info; name, address, contact info, bio, short synopsis, etc. In addition, they request the first few pages or the first chapter of the writing in question.

Due to the potential of viruses and malware, most do not want attachments so all of these requested items have to be placed within the body of the email. The subject line of the email needs to contain certain specifics as well, though there is some variation in this depending upon the agent. Once you've compiled the requested info in the specified format, you send the query email on, cross your fingers, and hope and pray for a positive response.

Five Years a Choice, A Lifetime of Dedication

Five years ago this month, I made a choice to start living healthier, to frequent the local gym, and to pull myself back from the morbid brink I had found myself teetering upon. I have always been a big guy. Ever since I was a kid, I've been heavy set, chubby, obese. All titles that have a strange power to arrest your self-worth and slay any sense of self-comfort. Though, all labels do in truth. The world is never short on opinions and perception, sad to say, is everything.

Living heavyset in a world that idealizes the lithe and fit provides an interesting paradox, feeling invisible when you take up nearly twice the room as those drawing all the attention. You learn to live with it; accept the dismissive looks and may even start to apologize for your expanded appearance, laugh along with the jokes about people needing two seats in airplanes, etc. All the while, knowing that your girth is measured more than any other aspect of your being. You could be the greatest artist, funniest comedian, even a talented martial artist. But if you were packing a few extra pounds, that's all anyone really ever saw.

My Writer's Journey

Everyone has a story to tell. So many lives intertwined through time and circumstance, so many funny stories, heartbreaks, and struggles waiting to be shared. We all have something to say, something to contribute, and something to share. And in today's world; with social media, e-publishing, and micro-publishing, there are so many ways for us to share openly. The world has become a sea of voices, a forest of talking heads. Some more popular or sought after than others, but each as important.

For me, starting out with a fresh manuscript, a hope to be published, and the desire to be widely accepted as the writer I am, this sea is intimidating. If we all have a voice, if everyone is talking, who out there is looking to hear what I have to say? What chance do I have? I suppose this self-defeating aspect is partly why it took so long to complete my tale. That negative voice inside that whispers just loud enough to stifle the enthusiasm to write, that questions the validity in just the right way for doubt to grow. We all have that self-doubt, it is part of being a person.

What I have found through years of struggling to trust myself, to finish the piece for the sake of the story, and to give my characters the voice they deserve, is that it boils down to probability. I have seen an inspirational poster many times that depicts an empty basketball court, stating "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Who can argue with that? If you don't try, you won't succeed; if you don't ask, the answer will always be "no". Taking the chance doesn't mean you will always succeed, no one makes 100% of the shots they take. But, if you want the chance at succeeding, then you have to take the shot.

Second Session Highlights

Continuing with my highlight coverage of our first few role playing sessions so far, I present the second session recap:

Camping at night in the dense woods to the south of Woodwall, Katan took the first watch of the night and Olly took the second when they were set upon by some kind of monstrous beast. Olly wakes everyone and Katan casts entanglement to entrap whatever the beast is. Katan and Talys, exit the tent to explore a noise that roused them from sleep. Seeing a wolf like creature but larger, knobby, and shabby in appearance. It is trapped in the middle of the circle of entanglement and has not noticed them. Upon examining the thing closer, they find that is a diseased looking wolf, a large hump in its shoulders, split skin under matted fur, and puss colored eyes. Katan feels instantly sorry for it and coos at its misfortune. 

Hearing her, it breaks free of the entanglement to move toward them. Talys has the blade drawn and readies for combat. The wolf struggles but manages to break free of the spell's effective range to attack Talys. She is ready for the hit and uses the blunt edge of the blade to push the wolf's muzzle away as its teeth chomp for her leg. She held her ground for the next attack. Katan rushed off a ways and flung a stone from her sling, just glancing off the fur. Talys makes a significant strike to the back and side of the wolf, cutting deep into the shoulder. It bites but misses her again, turning to flee and chase after Katan, being the easier prey of the two. 

Katan attempts to clock the wolf with her cudgel, however, does little more that push the head to the side. Before the wolf can land a bite, Talys feels a rage boil within her and she charges to drop the blade upon the wolf's back, bisecting it at an angle. It roars a final pained cry and falls dead at Katan's feet. She balks more at the appearance of Talys in the throws of a receding rage than the dead wolf at her feet and heads back the tent right away. There she finds an etching in the tree that had not been there when they arrived earlier that evening. Being the second such mark they've encountered, she marks it in her journal.