Some may find it strange that my immediate future in publishing hinges on a book I wrote years ago. Heck, I find it more than a little odd! I've gone backward, hoping to take a huge step forward.
For me, 2013 was a jump into the new. I self-published a series of novellas. I learned how to format. I enjoyed this learning experience enormously, and my sales for my Secrets of Ravenswood series were much stronger than I'd had in the past with a small press. All good. Still, I want more.
Last fall, I pulled my rights back to Victim of Desire, my very first published book with a small press. I love this story. I believe in this book, and it was just sitting there on its virtual shelf, collecting virtual dust. It has a strong plot and interesting characters. More importantly, the secondary characters were perfect to play staring rolls in their own books. So, I edited the heck out of my first baby and then wrote a second book in my soon to be series. Currently, I'm working on a third. And I re-titled them all. My agent is currently shopping Every Move She Makes as part of a three book deal to bigger publishers. I've had some interest and am currently biting my nails, waiting on a response. I'll keep you posted!
What's the downside to going backward, you may ask? For anyone out there considering revamping an old book, be prepared for major edits! The more we write, the more we all learn and grow as authors. Bringing an old work up to your current standard of excellence is just plain HARD WORK. Still, it can be very rewarding to make an old story shine like new. I'm hoping my step backward will pay off in a big leap forward in my writing career. Only time will tell.
You can find links to all my books on my WEBSITE. To keep track of my progress in this new endeavor, follow me on TWITTER or like me on FACEBOOK.
All the best to each of you in 2014 and may your progress take you steadily forward!
9 comments:
May a HUGE leap forward be in your future. I think you nailed the reason for success - HARD work. It does PAY off.
Interesting. I pulled a book recently to do major rewrites and a sequel. Hard, but worth it.
Margo, thanks! Let's hope it pays off!
Barbara, good luck! Those rewrites are a pain--cleaning up so much in our writing that we know better than to do now. Definitely worth it!
Jannine, this is so exciting!!!! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you.
Thanks, Alison. I can use all the crossing I can get!
Can't wait to hear how it all turns out, Jannine! Good for you!
Thanks, Leah! I'm trying to have nothing but positive thoughts.
I'm so excited for you. As a part of your early foray into publication, I'm very happy and proud of your success and growth as an author. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I can use all those crossed fingers. As the first person (besides my mom LOL) to see potential in this particular book, I sure hope to do us both proud with it!
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