Some of it I'd read up on. She helped me understand what I'd need to put inside my submission letter/profile, and that most editors will ask for the first 3 chapters. This is a concern. I don't think the story starts off too slowly... but what if it does? I have a prologue, which isn't a traditional chapter long. Does this count as one of the chapters? Do I have to 'beef up' my story to be more punchy? I don't know. I think I've done ok, but it would be really nice to get some feedback at some point. A lot of what I've been doing is pretty much making it up as I go along, and listening to the internets for advice. I'm sure it'll be fine. It helps me fix my tech problems, so why not? Who wouldn't believe everything they read on the internet?
There was other advice. Mostly around getting an editor. There are freelance editors around, and I know the book needs editing, but for a high level look at the work, the one I was recommended came in at about £500. That's... That's a lot in my world. a Hell of a lot.
I know the story would be better off being under an editors 'tender' graces. I know the book is too long. I also know that since I'm unable to see it for myself, the smart move is to leave it as it is, start thinking about the other bits, and once that's done - move on. Next book. I'm
So next steps: Focus on getting a cover, understanding how ISBN's work. There's a site called Nielson which gave me the pricing for ISBN's. Although I could buy more, the lowest two pricing packs are £132 for 10 ISBN's (£13.20 for one) and £318 for 100 (which works out to be £3.18 for one). Someone, somewhere would probably understand the economics a lot better than I do why the pricing discrepancy is so large. I mean come on - 1000 for £846? So big publishers are paying eighty-four freaking pence for the same thing I have to buy at £13.20? I understand economies of scale, but that's off the hook! Still, to get in the writers club, I think that's just the cost of doing business.
Why am I worrying about all this stuff about covers and ISBN's if I'm going to look for an agent? Because like everyone else, agents are rather busy, because they're all probably looking for something with that certain je ne sais pas. I don't think my first book necessarily has the x-factor, to borrow a tv trope. I don't know that it hasn't, but I don't have any feedback. I think I've covered this already. No, tell a lie, there has been one person who's been wonderful enough to challenge me to think about my story and keep challenging me in order to make it better. It worked. Does 'better' mean 'good'? We shall see. So, I'll do the research into agents and offer it out and keep track and wait all those months and offer it to just one agent at a time in the format that they've asked for (hard copy? Really? Do people still want that IRL?) and anything else that's required - oh yeah, more on that later. That'll take a while. Maybe it'll take years.
In the meantime, I think I'll just go ahead after a while and self publish.
Who says my story will actually do well on Amazon rather than Barnes & Noble? Who says it'll do well at all? No one. Not a soul. That doesn't mean its not worth a shot. I mean, I've already done all the hard work, right? What would I have to lose?
Also, I still have to pay someone who can draw/paint/do arty things.
Oh, before I forget - my other blog colleague, the one who was also supposed to be posting stuff up on here? They mentioned they read the blog for the first time. No mention on whether they liked what I'd put up, or if they have cold feet and just can't be bothered. Not a peep on whether they have any impetus on doing something now they see if I can do it, anyone can do this. Nada. Zip. I'm not surprised. I'm not disappointed. I'm holding out hope.
In other news, I've gotten rid of the picture I was using as a background. It just didn't work and looked like a 5 year old created the blog. That's harsh, I know. Most 5 year olds have at least some artistic sensibilities.
