By the end of next week I will have sent my first story to be published by an actual 'we will give you money' type publishing outfit!
I expect nothing. I have no illusions about my skill or my chances. Aw FUCK no. But just doing this is a rush and a half! And I figure I'm going to keep on doing it if only to learn a lot, first hand, about what not to do and how not to do it...and what the fuck, right, I'll be learning it free, and firsthand! THIS MAJOR BIGTIME TOTALLY KICKS MAJOR ASS MAJORLY!!!!!
Back when I was still doing visual art as a primary medium I found it was pretty easy to get shown and even to sell. I'm not talking about anything huge here, but just that if you do it, chances are that someone else will notice. I've done business cards, concert posters, an album cover, tons of automotive art, tattoo designs, portraits, cartoons, just all kinds of shit, and been paid for it too. It was no big deal. No formal training, no portfolio, no nothing. I just put it out there and did it.
I'm hoping it turns out to be the same way with writing...that the big, huge 'thing' that I've put up there about it's being difficult and frightening and only for such and what kind of qualified people is just that....a thing.
Cross your fingers. AND IF ANYONE HAS ANY PRACTICAL ADVICE ABOUT THE BUSINESS END OF THINGS WOULD YOU PLEASE PASS IT THE FUCK ALONG TO A BITCH?
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I trust that the book has been dedicated to my goodself. This will be only right and proper and I expect 25% of your royalties (payable in cash) to be forthcoming in due course.
ReplyDeleteBear in mind that should you become famous you will be stalked by short men with moustaches.
Ask yourself. Is it worth it?
This is fucking fantastic! I will want to purchase your book ya know. You're going to have to post a link to amazon when it's available.
ReplyDeleteI have no advice. I'm a reader not a writer!
WOWIE! So proud! (Wipes tear from eye and sniffs)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, if you get a contract, have some one with lawyer-ly leanings check it out.
You do not want to end up ghost writing "War and Peace" or sumpin' sumpin'.
I have read various interview articles from favorite authors, some have agents, some do not.
Lay in a supply of large manila envelops. Love R
wear jello pig upon your chapeau. no one will even read the writing, but they will throw money at you. it is far less intimidating than using an opie. jello pig is like money cat on acid.
ReplyDeleteNice one, FN. I trust there is much sweary ranting in it.
ReplyDeleteWill say this: having one thing published does make getting the next thing published that tiny bit easier. Editors do have a sort of herd mentality about these things.
Check the contract about the rights and try to keep them.
ReplyDeleteMake sure that the book actually is printed well: May sound silly, but page after page, not page 1, 11 21 etc. you see.
If it's a real publishing house your book will have an ISBNumber.
There surely is a lot more, but that comes to my mind now.
HAd not yet time to follow what you sent me, but I will.
This story of yours...
ReplyDeleteAre we in it?
We shall all turn up at your book signing, drunk, heckling you and asking you to sign our various body parts.
ReplyDeleteTotally awesome, FN!
ReplyDeleteIf my oldest sister were alive, I would get her to talk to you. She got some of her poetry published after a lot of trying, so she knew what to do.
Please do keep us up to snuff on this. It is so exciting!
All I ask is, when you become famous AND YOU WILL. Remember me. :)
ReplyDeleteOh and I will be your number 1 fan. I won't stalk you.....very much.
About time too!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I shall sulk jealously for a while.
ReplyDeleteit will be brilliant. we will all buy a copy or six. you will be rich and famous. 'nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you're going to have fun. And we get to read all about it.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely agree with you regarding the "just do it and get it out there and someone will notice it" Works every time. As far as your writing goes, you've got a gift...
ReplyDeleteAnyway I asked my brother - who keeps getting stuff published - and he says that best advice there is...is to just keep writing and sending it off.
Advice? Get it all in writing.
ReplyDeleteYou are required reading.