In the time since I wrote my first post here back in October 2011, I’ve completed my first draft, revised a second draft and a third draft, had the manuscript read by a cadre of beta readers, revised again, had the manuscript read again by a couple of experienced writers and revised again, and finally gotten it where I want it to be. However, I’m guessing even more revision is in my future.
Coming in March 2014
But here’s the deal. Darren Aranofsky and Russell Crowe’s film, “Noah” is coming out in just a couple of months, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to proceed. Should I attempt self-publication in the hopes of riding the wave of interest is film will garner? Or should I go the traditional route and find an agent who wants to represent me, which would put publication out at probably over a year. By that time, the “Noah” interest will have sailed on, and the book will have to stand on its own merits. I’ve even tweeted my website to Russell Crowe with the hopes he’d do a retweet, and get the novel some attention! I doubt he’ll do it, but that’s the world we unknown writers live in!
Not willing to just wait and try to see if a megastar will give me a hand, I have also spent the past two days sending out queries and submissions to about a dozen agents, and now sit back waiting to get the responses. If publishing history is any indication, I’ll get several rejections. I might get a couple of agents interested to see the full manuscript, but even then it’s not a definite. And when I finally do find an agent, then that person will have to sell the story to a publisher.
All in all, it’s a really long, drawn-out process.
To be honest, I’m obviously more attracted to the traditional route. That’s the way a writing career is really possible, and that would be a dream come true for me. Yes, there are stories of people finding great success self-publishing, but with over 300,000 new books self-published last year, the odds are pretty long. Again, this is why catching the “Noah” wave is so critical.
So then, the great question for me continues to be – to self-publish or to not self-publish?
Thimblerig's Ark 