DANCING (PUBLISHING) WITH MYSELF
Getting the damn story out into the world
For several articles, I’ve described the origin and development of my debut mystery-thriller novel, THE REVIVED. Within days of releasing this article and after almost four years of writing, editing, formatting, and planning, the novel will be available for sale in eBook and paperback on Amazon, in eBook on Kobo, and in paperback for order in most bookstores around the world.
You can pre-order or buy my novel here.
After querying almost 100 literary agents and publishers over several months and receiving only vague replies that the novel wasn’t a fit for them, I chose to publish on my own. There are many possible commercial, artistic, or personal reasons for why my novel might not have been the right fit for an agent or publisher. Unfortunately, none of the replies (if I received a reply at all) gave me feedback about what didn’t work for them.
This isn’t my first time pitching a novel to agents and publishers. For my first completed novel, The Sleeping Beauty Curse, I queried a similar number and received the same lack of interest.
I’m not going to explain all the steps in the query and publishing process here. If you’re interested, author Diana Urban writes excellent overviews of the publishing process, including the pitfalls that can occur even if an agent shows interest or signs a contract to publish a novel.
For me, after much disappointment then soul searching, I realized that all I want is for my story to be read by other people. I wasn’t looking for large advances of money, pending royalties, or New York Times bestseller status, or even to be on bookshelves across the continent. I wanted to get the damn story out into the world, even if only 20 people read it.
Over a few years, I followed and observed many self-published authors, including a few close friends of mine. I also received inspiration from a few, such as this call to creative action:
“There are so many ways to carve out the creative life that you have been called to live. Dare to question all the stories you are being told about being an artist, we are living in a world that is terrified of us and would rather we not do what we are doing.”
- Aimee McNee ‘How Capitalism Gaslit a Generation’
What it comes down for every artist is to ask what are your goals for your art? Is it money, fame, prestige, large sales numbers, or simply to share your art with other people? While I admit I wouldn’t turn down many of these benefits, my goal is to tell stories and that means I need someone to receive them, no matter what the process involves or who must deliver them.
Writing is often looked upon as a solitary art, but like most writers, I sought out other writers in local and online communities for camaraderie and commiseration. I also relied on other creative types to provide feedback, advice, and design input. Before I close this instalment, I want to acknowledge this team of supporters without whom I might never have reached this publication milestone.
I’m profoundly grateful for the support of my loving wife, Irene, who for many years supported me in making time to create stories—in films and novels. I’m also deeply thankful to my mother, Betty Rowsell, who instilled in me a love of reading as a child and supported this novel-writing adventure with great enthusiasm.
Thanks also to my editing heroes who helped clarify and correct my words: Alyssa Matesic, Margaret Morris, and Louise Spilsbury. Thank you, Christian Storm, for a beautifully interpreted and designed book cover.
The following authenticity readers made sure I accurately represented respective idioms, cultures, and languages: Aniez Atlas (Spain), Stephen Cole (France), and Kimberley Banfield (Melbourne, AU).
Thank you so much to my other beta readers for their constructive and enlightening feedback: Marcella Corroeli Jager, Sabrina Ladak-Jiwani, Susanna Callaghan, Elayne Francis, and Louise Spilsbury.
I have immense gratitude for my writing champions and generous author friends: Jeremy Luke Hill and Vocamus Writers Community (Guelph, ON), Marilyn Kleiber, Shana Gray, Tim O’Connor, and my trusted friend, confidante, and writing partner, T. J. Thompson.
Finally, thanks to Marian L. Thorpe who was a beta reader, then an invaluable advisor about writing and self-publishing, and finally my layout and format expert for the book interior.
In future, I’ll explore more about this self-publishing choice and the process of designing, formatting, selling, and promoting my novel. However, for this month, I submit my story to the world for consideration. If you get a chance to read it, let me know what you think. As always, thanks for reading and keep your creative thrills alive in mind, heart, and action.
If you’re intrigued by any of my ideas, I’d love to interact with you. Please ask me questions or give me feedback on what you’d like to know about me, my process, and my novels.
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So very, very proud of you dear Peter!!
It was a pleasure and a privilege to be able to read The Revived pre-publication! It's a great read.