Is there a very, very good reason I shouldn't...

Here's the thing:

As many of you may remember, I had written I novel entitled Moonsword, and had the stupid misfortune of signing with a very disreputable agent and then publisher (long before I found this source of literary wisdom). Despite those setbacks, I earned some great reviews from legitimate reviewers, tons of press, tv and radio interviews, and a 2004 Spectrum Award Nomination. There are about 1,000 copies in existence. The book has become a very minor cult classic. I fought for and recieved my rights back.

Meanwhile, I had written another book, and (still not so very bright) I signed with a new, well-intentioned, small publisher for my sequel. (Hey, at least I skipped the bad agent part), Empress of Clouds. This book earned even more legitimate reveiws (PW, etc.), and more award nominations (2005 Spectrum Award, IPPY award, and Foreward's BOTY award). The publisher shortly thereafter switched it's emphasis to non-fiction, remaindered me, and next year I get my rights back. There are about 2,500 copies in existence.

I had finished the first half of the final book that was to complete my trilogy. A friend had then put in a good word to someone highly placed at TOR who was interested in Moonsword. Apparently there was some crazy communications problem, and two years later I still have heard nothing from them.

Here we are:

I began working on other projects, then had to take a hiatus from writing after my dad became ill, and I had to care for him and take over the family business (to keep hardworking 20 people employed). Things have settled down at work, I've become ascustomed to running the business, and I've again picked up the figurative pen.

Within the last two months I have recieved eight inquiries as to when I will be completing the series, and another three as to where one could obtain copies of Moonsword. This prompted a search to find used copies. Half.com is selling a used copy for about $100.00 US, and Amazon.co.uk is selling a used copy for 129.00 pounds. I did find other copies selling in the $40.00 - $80.00 range.

(At last) My Question:

Is there a very, very good reason I shouldn't self publish Moonsword, and eventually the rest of the trilogy? I feel I owe to my loyal readers, and, frankly to myself.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

Thank you all! I have queried lots, and lots of reputable agents with this. No one has even had the basic decency to send a response in my SASE.

When Empress came out, Ethan Ellenberg saw it on the "Early Adopters List" on Amazon and contacted me. He read both of my books, loved them, thought I was very talented, but that the time was not right for me or my books (whatever that meant). Otherwise, as above, no agent would give me the time of day. I fear the stain of PA has rendered these books (and perhaps me) all yucky to good agents.

Thank you all for you kind input (on Labor Day no less). Please keep the input coming. I will weight all of this very carefully before taking any misguided action. All right then, it's back to the grill for me.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thanks again to everyone who posted here or sent me PM's. I'll get back to everyone soon, but our server crashed yesterday at work and I spent the day fixing it. Today I have to do all the stuff I didn't get a chance to do yesterday. But, I wanted to make a couple of points.

I do very much understand the promotional aspect of writing. I obtained every bit of the press and media coverage for my two books. I made it on to national and regional tv shows, and have done well over 5 dozen radio intervews all over North America. I was, for about a year, the Marketing Director for a small publisher. I do get that it will be alot of work, and I'm prepared to do all that and more, even should I sign with a big time agent and publishing giant.

I've decided to follow-up with my contact at TOR, and try Gillhoughy's kind plan before I do anything else. If that doesn't work, I'll contact other publishers which some of you kindly suggested. If, and only if, all normal channels fail, will I then attempt a self-publishing venture to sate my long suffering fans.

You folks are the very best. I was wrong to dispair. Thank you.

Waving the White Flag

Yeah, I give the F*** up. As of 10/6/08, my wife and I formed Four Elements Press, LLC. We will publish a few metaphysical texts (some very old and never previously published that have recently come into my possession); and my fantasy trilogy (which contains much metaphysical content). I'm sorry, but I believe that no one in the industry will take the chance on these books, but yet I know them to be marketable. This fact is pounded home to me almost daily. DIY. We've already hired an editor (Kris Ryan, who did the edits for the Behler edition of Empress of Clouds) who is very excited. I'm tired of not hearing back from the agents I query, or from publishers who've had my book for years. I'm a businesswoman, and I can't and won't do business with people like that--well, at least, not for this trilogy. Don't worry about me: I've got very good business skills and instincts, book marketing experience, promotional experience, tv and radio, and bookselling contacts, and now an LLC. I'll be okay. Just thought you all should know. I'm finally optimistic about my writing again, and that's priceless. Look for the wholly revised, expanded edition of Moonsword in 2009.