My friend's question...

[Diana Hignutt]

I writer friend of mine recently asked me for advice, and I am coming to you good people for input. She needs to make a decision about what to work on next. She wrote a novel which was published through a newish, small commercial press. She got a modest advance. The book received some major reviews and award nods. Her publisher (who is a friend of hers) is working hard to improve their distribution, but it is currently fairly limited (I think she said they had sold about a third of the 2,000 book print run). She is very talented and is lucky enough to have a couple of major agents reading her book for possible representation.

Although her book does have a satisfying ending, it clearly lays the ground work for a sequel (or series) which would completely finish the tale. She went through a tough time and had some health issues and consequently, she hasn't gotten too far on her sequel. Also, her publisher is asking her to do a lot more toward marketing her current book. She's a bit down about the prospects of this book as it is.

Now, should she stick it out and finish her sequel and complete her saga, or should she set it aside for a time, and work on something more lucrative (she needs the money) that she could try and sell to a bigger publisher?

That's what she asked me and I'd love to get some other opinions. Thanks.

diana

[kevacho]

Sounds like your friend is on the right track. Barring health concerns (which can side-line the best of us), why would she not continue? Unless of course, something more agreeable presents it's self.

I'm of the opinion, finish what you start.

Kevin
www.kevacho.com (http://www.kevacho.com)

"mmmm.... coffee!"

[JerseyGirl1962]

Diana,

Hmm...

As I'm not a published novelist (yet), I'm not sure I should dip my toes into this one, but I'm in an opinionated mood at the moment (subject to change ;)).

FWIW, my intution says she should finish the first story. She's already got something going with her first book, so she can build on that. How many published writers can say that? I can sympathize about the health problems, because I've had my share (2 surgeries in one year sucks), and continue to have my share.

Not knowing what sort of health problems your friend is facing or has faced, I obviously can't just say she should put it behind her and concentrate on getting that 2nd book in the series out (how cruel is that?). But if you can encourage her whenever you can, it would go a long way, I think, in her thinking; it might even help to ease some of her problems (once I get into writing mode, I don't even notice the pains I have).

I really feel for your friend. I wish her good luck in whatever she decides to do. :Thumbs:

~Nancy

[scribbler1382]

If you're writing for money, you're almost always going to be disappointed. Tell her to write the work she really wants to write, not what she thinks she should write.

[Patricia]

I concur 100% with Marty.

[Diana Hignutt]

Thanks so much, folks! I'm sending her a link to this thread right now...

[MarkEsq]

A "friend" eh? Suuuure, right, a friend.... ;)

That said, I agree totally with the previous posters. And good luck (to your "friend")!!

[Christine N.]

Missy, your friend (do I know her?) should follow her heart. Distribution is a tough hill to climb. I know my publisher's publicist is working tirelessly to get in with big bookstores. It takes time.

To me, marketing seems like fun. I can't wait to go to bookstores and do stuff like that. But that's me, it's not eveyone's deal.

She should do what she feels is right. (hugs) And to your friend - I'm only an e-mail away.

[Roger J Carlson]

Both my first and second novels have clear room for sequels. Unfortunately, neither is yet published. I didn't want to spend a lot of time writing a sequel that might never be published.

If the first book is never published, chances for a sequel are slim. If the first book IS published, it might not do well enough for the publisher to consider a sequel.

But when I finished each book, the stories were still fresh in my mind. So I took the time to write out an outline (very sketchy) and the first couple of chapters in each sequel. That way, if the publisher asks if I have any more, I can truthfully say I've started a sequel and have something to hand them.

Then for something different, I started a short story.

[zornhau]

I'm told it's a good idea to have 2 contrasting series on the go at any one time. That way, you stay fresh, and readers may drift from one target market to the other in order to get more of your writing.

[Jamesaritchie]

I writer friend of mine recently asked me for advice, and I am coming to you good people for input. She needs to make a decision about what to work on next. She wrote a novel which was published through a newish, small commercial press. She got a modest advance. The book received some major reviews and award nods. Her publisher (who is a friend of hers) is working hard to improve their distribution, but it is currently fairly limited (I think she said they had sold about a third of the 2,000 book print run). She is very talented and is lucky enough to have a couple of major agents reading her book for possible representation.

Although her book does have a satisfying ending, it clearly lays the ground work for a sequel (or series) which would completely finish the tale. She went through a tough time and had some health issues and consequently, she hasn't gotten too far on her sequel. Also, her publisher is asking her to do a lot more toward marketing her current book. She's a bit down about the prospects of this book as it is.

Now, should she stick it out and finish her sequel and complete her saga, or should she set it aside for a time, and work on something more lucrative (she needs the money) that she could try and sell to a bigger publisher?

That's what she asked me and I'd love to get some other opinions. Thanks.

diana

Does your friend have a good agent? If so, this is where agents excel. If not, now is the time to find a good agent.

[Kiva Wolfe]

I think she should finish the sequel, and give thought then to whether she's ending the series or leaving it open to a next book. When she feels better, she can start that alternate project that might bring in more money. Right now, she has a publisher and reading audience of 2,000 counting on her. That's money already in the hand.

[Tish Davidson]

Unless the contract she signed with the first publisher requires her to publish a second book with them, there is no reason not to write the sequel and try to sell it to a larger publisher. Every book, even a sequel, should stand alone, and if the sequel gets more distribution, it will help the sale of the first book, too.

[Jamesaritchie]

I think she should finish the sequel, and give thought then to whether she's ending the series or leaving it open to a next book. When she feels better, she can start that alternate project that might bring in more money. Right now, she has a publisher and reading audience of 2,000 counting on her. That's money already in the hand.

A publisher should only count on a writer if they give that writer as much as another publish would. As for the 2,000 readers, they'll still getto read the book if another publisher brings it out, and a bunch of other readers will also have a better chance of reading it.

Nows's teh time for an agent who can not only help with such decisions, but can make them work better, either with this publisher, or another, larger publisher.

If a small commercial publisher likes this series, there's a chance a larger commercial publisher will also like it.

But a first novel should always stand alone, so those 2,000 readers are satisfied, even if there is no second novel.