The truth about traditional publishing
My goal is to earn a living from writing books. Currently, I’m working part-time as an English teacher and caring for my kids and dog. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for writing novels.
However, I have discovered that when it comes to my goal, I am disciplined. I make sure I write fiction every day.
By the end of 2021 I plan to have three books in The Dawnland Chronicles series on sale as well as a contemporary Australian fiction work I’ve been working on (on and off) since 2014 called Everything I Am.
Once The Dawnland Chronicles series is out there, I am going to chuck in my day job and devote myself full-time to writing more books, as well as promoting and marketing the ones that are already online. It is a well-accepted fact that unless you’re Stephen King or Danielle Steel, the only authors making a living from writing are those who self-publish. For once, I will have control of my writing career.
What's wrong with traditional publishing?
The traditional publishing model has been flawed for a long time, but these days it is increasingly designed to be financially unsustainable for authors. They spend 12 months writing a book and for their labours are offered a wafer-thin sales margin and no marketing support. That model is only sustainable for a select few bestsellers and for hobby writers.
In the new, risk-averse traditional publishing environment, publishers are extremely hesitant to invest in anything that has not already guaranteed its own success prior to their involvement.
This means the industry is fickle. Unless you give it exactly what it wants, when it wants it, there’s no hope for you. ‘Historical fiction is a really hard sell at the moment,’ agents and publishers have told me over several years. And yet I see you, the passionate readers, happily devouring quality, period fiction ebooks.
I’ve had two historical fiction novels published by a traditional publisher. A comment from the publishing director at the time was ‘your books are beautifully written, but they’re just not selling.’ I bit my tongue, rather than suggest they might invest a little to create greater chances of success.
My new direction
I don’t believe historical fiction is a ‘hard sell’. I believe traditional publishers refuse to sell it. Hot genres such as crime fiction are a far safer bet.
That’s why I’m taking matters into my own hands. Writing is not my hobby - it’s my passion and my job. My success is my responsibility. I’m going to self-publish.
Is it scary? Not in the least. In fact, I can’t wait.
However, I would like YOU – the reader – to come along for the ride, to offer me advice, to support me and keep me on track when my self-doubt gets the better of me, and to tell me how I can support you. Feel free to comment, below.