Traditional or self?
That is the question of the day. Do I need the validation of a traditional agent getting all dewy eyed - making promises which will probably not be kept, but putting his own marketing 'genius' behind my hard work? Or should I just publish on my own and keep working?
In some ways, I still really want that validation. I want to hear someone who is supposed to be in tune with what readers and publishers want to see telling me that my work is just that - marketable.
But then I think about the odds of a good piece of work getting through all of the sludge. I have a few literary agents with whom I have established at least a cordial enough relationship that they would remember my previous submissions. But would a third submission in less than two years impress them or have the opposite effect?
What if they interpret so many submissions as formulaic or garbage writing and toss it into the garbage heap of literature? There is the chance that they could toss it even if it was something they might like because they feel I am trying too hard.
Maybe I just don't have that special 'it' which makes me marketable! I think sometimes that has an effect. I call it the American Idol effect. There are two singers, equally talented, but one has a great back story full of trauma, heartbreak and recovery while the other lived a great life with no obstacles. guess which one gets through? The one with the story because that makes for better television.
At least with writing, I can live with the faint hope that my looks will not play a role in whether an agent likes my work! Ha!
So it is sort of like gambling, or playing the lottery. But the thing is, it's that way regardless of whether I self-publish or go through the formal submission route. What I do not have is a boat load of money to market my own book. I have time. I can push through all forms of social media, but that is a big ol' hit and miss approach to marketing. There is nothing better than being on a shelf, or being well placed on Amazon.com. Without money, those are a difficult task to achieve.
I guess I have some work to do!
In some ways, I still really want that validation. I want to hear someone who is supposed to be in tune with what readers and publishers want to see telling me that my work is just that - marketable.
But then I think about the odds of a good piece of work getting through all of the sludge. I have a few literary agents with whom I have established at least a cordial enough relationship that they would remember my previous submissions. But would a third submission in less than two years impress them or have the opposite effect?
What if they interpret so many submissions as formulaic or garbage writing and toss it into the garbage heap of literature? There is the chance that they could toss it even if it was something they might like because they feel I am trying too hard.
Maybe I just don't have that special 'it' which makes me marketable! I think sometimes that has an effect. I call it the American Idol effect. There are two singers, equally talented, but one has a great back story full of trauma, heartbreak and recovery while the other lived a great life with no obstacles. guess which one gets through? The one with the story because that makes for better television.
At least with writing, I can live with the faint hope that my looks will not play a role in whether an agent likes my work! Ha!
So it is sort of like gambling, or playing the lottery. But the thing is, it's that way regardless of whether I self-publish or go through the formal submission route. What I do not have is a boat load of money to market my own book. I have time. I can push through all forms of social media, but that is a big ol' hit and miss approach to marketing. There is nothing better than being on a shelf, or being well placed on Amazon.com. Without money, those are a difficult task to achieve.
I guess I have some work to do!

Email: sreed3939@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottreedauthor
Twitter: @DuckSports
Loading commits...
Loading schedule...
Popular Articles
-
Time for a new tidbit that might shed even more light on how mangled Lache Seastrunks relationships were during his last two years of high...
-
Lache Seastrunk in Oregon Yesterday, Duck fans learned that Lache Seastrunk would be transferring from the University of Oregon with a li...
-
Spencer Webb is a young man of few words, but great substance. Over the weekend, the three-star tight end from Christian Brothers...
-
Football season begins in earnest this week. With the official end of "fall camp" and the beginning of game Week, we know that foo...
Search Duck Sports Central
Recruiting Articles
Scouting Report: Tommy Tofi
2025-07-02Commit Impact: Tommy Tofi
2025-07-02Wednesday War Room: A look at remaining offensive needs
2025-07-02Scouting Report: Koloi Keli
2025-06-30Commit Impact: Koloi Keli
2025-06-30DSC Inside Read: Recruiting Update ahead of a busy week
2025-06-30
Football Articles
Scouting Report: Koloi Keli
2025-06-30Duck Sports Central: Coming Home
2025-06-30Commit Impact: Koloi Keli
2025-06-30DSC Inside Read: Recruiting Update ahead of a busy week
2025-06-30Flock Talk: Invested in the program
2018-03-02Torches, Flames & Pitchforks: Thoughts on Oregon football
2018-02-13
Recent Posts
Scouting Report: Tommy Tofi
2025-07-02Commit Impact: Tommy Tofi
2025-07-02Wednesday War Room: A look at remaining offensive needs
2025-07-02Scouting Report: Koloi Keli
2025-06-30Duck Sports Central: Coming Home
2025-06-30
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.