Rick Goldsmith

 

In response to lots of queries I’ve had in the course of writing this novel I thought I’d use the blog to chart how I wrote the novel and the various ways I tried to get it published. Writing this book led me on a huge journey, one which I was wholly unprepared for: it was like running two consecutive marathons after setting out in good confidence that I was fairly match-fit for a 5,000 metre race. I still can’t quite believe just how naive and unprepared I was for the physical and mental slog of completing my first novel. So much sitting and thinking! A part of me continues to believe it would never have reached completion if I hadn’t boldly stated I’d finish it in the Arts Council ‘Developing Your Creative Practise’ grant I managed to secure.

However, my level of naivety regarding writing the novel was nothing in comparison to the whole complicated process of getting the book out into the world and into the hands of readers. It was completely bewildering. I had two writer friends who, after chasing agents for years, found the agent they’d managed to land wasn’t visibly doing anything with their manuscripts. There was another dear writer friend whose book had been looked at by nine agencies, only to be turned down by all of them. Nine agencies! There were times I’d’ve sold my pet dog (if I still had one) for a smidgen of such interest in my manuscript. Inevitably, stories about the “sorry state” of traditional publishing led me to explore the worlds of indie publishing, self-publishing, hybrid (or partnership) publishing, vanity publishing and more. I was told I should make an audiobook of my book before anything else, and then create an eBook even before considering getting a physical book published. A writer proudly boasted that she wrote, edited and self-published so many of her own books that she didn’t have to bother with copy editors or proof readers. There was a whole new bag of things to learn and unlearn.

In other blogs I’ll outline things I went through. And the further trials and whatnots as I continue trying to get my work out to readers. I hope it provides something worthwhile for you, and I very much look forward to hearing other writer’s and creative’s perspectives.