ROW80 Goals for Feb 29-March 6:
1. Edit Rivers of Stone. Steadily working on Section 04, 7 out of 7 days for this week. What is especially pleasing is that each day I've made real progress, chapter by chapter, scene by scene. Sometimes the revisions are fueled by research, sometimes I end up deleting a scene that no longer fits my understanding of the characters. Rather like finding my way in a maze, the story slowly tightens and surprises await for my characters and me.
For the coming week, my writing goals will be to write 5 out of 7 days, allowing for a travel day and recovery time. And that's it . . . except:
2. Attend Thursday's Spokane Authors group.
3. Write just one indie review.
4. Read & comment on what others have posted for ROW80.
5. Do one action step related to marketing.
6. Draft article for The Country Register.
Today's question: Our local authors' group will talk this week about whether indie authors need an agent. As a self-published author, I feel intensely independent, but Michelle Brower of Folio Literary Management recently said in an article: "If a book has 250 reviews with 4 and 5 stars, and 70,000 in sales, this author has a lot of promise." This is so far from my goals, I can't even begin to imagine how an agent could be helpful. Maybe we need to start with a definition of what an indie author is . . . What's your take?
Meanwhile may your week ahead bring you good words, insights, and celebrations!
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| Curlew seeking safe haven on Mustang Island (February 2016) |
I have gone back and forth on whether to get an agent. Part of me feels I don't need one--I'm an attorney so negotiating terms and contracts etc are second nature for me. However, the other part of me knows that an agent has more contacts and knows more people, the business, etc...so maybe it would be a good thing do.
ReplyDeleteOr they might hate it and it's just another rejection.
After years of going back and forth, I still don't know which way to go, so I remain agentless and with no plans to submit. :/
You're doing great with your revisions and I hope you're trip home is a good one. Good luck this week on your goals!
Thank you for commenting, Kat. The reasons that drive us to go with an agent or not are so varied -- pushed by our experience, our inclinations, and our goals. Add in the rapid changes in the publishing industry, and the indie route seems best at least for me. Agents at conferences have pretty much told me f2f what Michelle Brower wrote. Maybe an agent would have more contacts with publishing houses, even those larger ones who now have new self-publishing arms! Have a great week.
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