I was wondering what you have to do to publish a trilogy? Do you have to have all three books completed or just one at a time?
Publishing a Trilogy?
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As noted in the other "trilogy" thread, the first thing you need to do is prove you can write one good book.
caw.
caw.
blacbird said:
Could you elaborate a little more? Are you saying this is what's required from every publishing company out there or is this your opinon?
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Your novel needs to be able to stand alone, and then if the publisher decides there should be more "episodes" then write on.
The decision process always rests with the publisher. One book at a time--always. Concentrate on that first special project. This is common knowledge amongst writers, editors and agents.
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In my case, I had two books written, and my publisher bought them both. I'm working on #3 now. It's not under contract, but my editor and I have talked about it, and I'm fairly optimistic that she'll buy it ... if I can get the silly thing finished.
I do think it's a good idea to start with something that can stand on its own, though. If you sell it and folks like it, don't worry, they'll ask for more.
I do think it's a good idea to start with something that can stand on its own, though. If you sell it and folks like it, don't worry, they'll ask for more.
Ok, but what if your first book ends with a cliffhanger such as Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring?" TFOTR isn't a complete book without "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King."
So what I mean by "cliffhanger" is what if your first book (out of the trilogy you're writing) ends uncomplete and could not stand alone as a single book? Is this forbidden just because you're a "newbie" even though your first book is well written and loved by many?
So what I mean by "cliffhanger" is what if your first book (out of the trilogy you're writing) ends uncomplete and could not stand alone as a single book? Is this forbidden just because you're a "newbie" even though your first book is well written and loved by many?
TFOTR stated as ONE book, and the publisher decided, for marketing reasons, to split it into a trilogy.
If the first book cant stand on it's own, you need to finish it.
If the first book cant stand on it's own, you need to finish it.
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enchantedfire5 said:
Write really, REALLY well. Make sure your story absolutely needs three 100K books to tell it all.
enchantedfire5 said:
No, but it IS a very good idea to do so.
Have completed, beta-read, feedbacked, final drafts that are polished and ready to ship. Then do an excellent proposal for the first book, and start shopping it around to good agents. Your proposal should make it clear that this is a trilogy and the other two are all ready to go.
While the proposal outline & sample chapters are making the rounds be working on your next book. When lightning strikes--they will want MORE of your writing.
enchantedfire5 said:
Your "loved by many" statement is extremely hypothetical. Who is this many you speak of? You won't know how well it's loved until it's sold, and selling a cliffhanger is astronomically hard.
It's not forbidden, but it will make your book very, very, very hard to sell to publishers. Buying one book is a financial risk. Buying three is tripling that risk, because if the first book doesn't sell, chances are part two and three won't, either. The publisher loses money, and your opportunity to make a splash in the biz is less than a ripple. They probably won't buy your next book.
Write the trilogy is the muse strikes you. Query it to agents once it's done, if that's your choice. But make sure you are working on a standalone, as well. Because an agent may love your writing, but not be willing to try and sell the trilogy (maybe she knows she can't, pick your situation). It never hurts to have something else in your back pocket.
Do yourself a favor and write the story as a stand alone, with "series potential" (or sequel potential, if you will) because the truth is, if you're brand new, it's easier to be struck by lightning while fending off a shark attack.
Is it impossible? No. Is it extremely difficult? Yes.
I'm a big fan of revisiting favorite characters and situations, as a writer and as a reader. But that's a different animal than trilogies. Just go into this with both eyes wide open.
Is it impossible? No. Is it extremely difficult? Yes.
I'm a big fan of revisiting favorite characters and situations, as a writer and as a reader. But that's a different animal than trilogies. Just go into this with both eyes wide open.
Each book in my trilogy is about 200-260 pages. It's kind of short (As C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy is). So if it was one stand alone book it would be about 600-720 pages. Isn't that kind of long?
I just always thought of doing it in a trilogy and not one book. So what should I do? Right now I'm really happy with it and I just couldn't change it to a publishers liken. I know most people in here desire to write for a living and in all honesty that's my goal too. But if that means changing what I love and enjoy to write then I would rather just continue it as a hobby.
But anymore advice would be great.
I just always thought of doing it in a trilogy and not one book. So what should I do? Right now I'm really happy with it and I just couldn't change it to a publishers liken. I know most people in here desire to write for a living and in all honesty that's my goal too. But if that means changing what I love and enjoy to write then I would rather just continue it as a hobby.
But anymore advice would be great.
enchantedfire5 said:
Beats me. What's the word count? And even so, I suspect that what you've got isn't too long, no.
You do realize that no matter what, some editor somewhere is going to ask for something to be changed? And that when this does happens, it's wise to treat it like sound advice from someone who's been at this a long time instead of looking at it as the defiling of your art and the sundering of your muse? 'Cuz it's not.
Trilogies are nice, but stand-alone books have their power too. I, for one, am more likely to pick up a stand-alone novel these days simply because any fantasy I read I fully expect to turn into a thirty-five book monster of a series out of which you probably only need to read three books.
A cliffhanger can so easily be changed into an actual honest-to-god ending with some plot lines dangling for the next book anyway. Besides, even if you do write it as a trilogy, it'd probably be close to a year between publishing the first book and the second book. As a reader, it would irk the crap out of me to wait a year between a cliffhanger and the next book, so why not just give it its own ending and let it stand on its own, then provide more of what the readers want in the next book?
PeeDee said:
I understand that an editor will want to make some changes, and I'm ok with that. I do not want to come off as being pridefull or concieted, I just don't want an editor telling me to make numerous changes here and there, especialy on parts and chapters I've worked so hard on. They really speak to my heart.
My first book doesn't end with a dramatic cliffhanger, but the main goal of the MC isn't yet accomplished. Is this still a dramatic cliffhanger?
I am going to try and publish it but if I'm unable to because I'm a "newbie," then I will write it as one stand alone book. It's just not what I had in mind.
Sassenach said:
I disagree because I am not excpecting it to go anywhere. I am writing because I like to tell stories that I myself would like to read. If an editor doesn't care for it and if no editor ever cares for it then I will attempt to self publish. If that fails then so be it, for I already have a job I'm happy with (most of the time) and I make a good living.
But I am willing to compromise, I'm just saying I will not change main plots or specific paragraphs that speak to my heart just to make a buck. I wouldn't even want it in the book store if I wasn't happy with it. I most soon rather burn it than dramaticly change it and sell out, however harsh that sounds.
I write for me and hope others will like it, but if not I will just continue doing it as a hobby.
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I can totally understand where you're coming from not wanting to change your work just to make cash, but often editors make suggestions that vastly improve the book, and not simply because they are all money grubbing monsters. And sometimes the suggestions go against what you initially wanted, but then in the end turn out to definitely be for the best. You (as in a general you, not you specifically) need to be open even to critiques of your favourite bits, because chances are those are the bits you haven't been too critical of because of your love for them. Even if you don't want to be published, it's still a good idea to find someone you respect and listen to what they have to say. We spend so much time in our own bubble as writers we can sometimes lack clarity, or, as is my case, be incredibly long winded. I've seen this quote from some author elsewhere on this site, maybe someone can help me attribute it correctly, but it was something about the sentence you love most is the one you have to delete. Argh, if anyone knows, could you tell me?
Toothpaste said:
I understand what you're saying and I respect it. I do listen to others about my story-my wife. So far she likes it alot but she has been critical about certain parts and I compromised with that and I was fine with it. I myself have been critical on certain paragraphs. The words were beautiful and seemed so poetic but they didn't really fit along with the story so I got rid of them. I'm ok with these types of changes. I just do not want to rewrite or change paragraphs or chapters that I feel are so improtant to my story. I'll look at suggestions, but if I do not like them then I would rather remain unpublished.
The quote is from Stephen King who was, I believe, quoting Raymond Chandler. He said "Kill your darlings." It's good writing advice. I've had scenes I've loved to death that have never seen the light of day and never will, because they did wonders for me but nothing for the story. So they died.
One of the best things I've ever written was about seventeen pages from the perspective of a man who thought he was dying in battle. It's freakin' brilliant, and I used it to begin a manuscript that I'm currently shopping aorund. However, by about the third draft, I realized that as brilliant as it was, it really didn't belong in the story. It was unneccesary in its existing context.
So I chopped it. Broke my heart, because it's really smashing. But the ms is stronger with out it.
I figure if I ever sell the ms, I'll post The Culloden Pages as a 'reader's bonus' on my website
So I chopped it. Broke my heart, because it's really smashing. But the ms is stronger with out it.
I figure if I ever sell the ms, I'll post The Culloden Pages as a 'reader's bonus' on my website
so true - the first five pages of "The Second Line" were there until the last draft, when I looked at it with a critical eye and realised that the story didn't *start* until the fifth page.
rip.
the book's MUCH better for the lack of it, imo.
rip.
the book's MUCH better for the lack of it, imo.
With my novel I just finished, I completely chopped out my main character and all his related storylines in favor of a bit character. Worked wonders.
PeeDee said:
It was E.B. White.
Enchanted, I think frequently writers are the worst judge of what's good or bad in their work.
Sassenach said:
I stand corrected. I was just guessing from memory.
I think writers are absolutely the worst judge of their own work, though. On that, we agree.
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