Publishing was so straight forward a few years ago. You slave over writing a book – the first draft is easy. It’s the endless editing that nearly kills you. It takes two to three years before handing it over to your agent.
You don’t have one? Then you ship it off to various publishers big and small. Mind, finding a traditional publisher isn’t easy. Especially when the important ones have banded together under the Penguin Random House label.
Throw in Knopf Canada and McClelland & Stewart – a German company owns the whole bunch – and you don’t know where to start. If you’re turned down by one, will others in the group do the same? Probably not, but there are lingering doubts.
I had sent a manuscript to one of them. I got a rejection notice – along with a hand-written note saying they were certain it would be picked up. And when it was, could I send them a copy?
It seems even traditional publishers these days expect authors to do their own marketing on social media. (Globe and Mail, 15 June.) Which means I’d best learn what’s expected of me. I have a website – clarkewallace.com – and with it having published a weekly blog since October 2012.
I’m also on Linkedin, but I’ll be damned if I know how to deal with it. Other than someone you’ve never laid eyes on wanting to communicate with you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m anxious to get exposure on social media. Twitter maybe? I’ve never been tempted to show up on Facebook. If anyone can help, HELP…!
Author’s comment: There is a light at the end of the tunnel. A pessimist will tell you yeah, but it’s a train. I’m more of an optimist. My eighth novel,, HARM’S WAY, an international thriller, has been picked up by the U.S. Beacon Publishing Group.
The original contract stipulates it would be published within a year. Bang on. The release date is Friday, 16 August, with pre-orders a month earlier. Wow! Social media, I’m all yours…
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