I'm working on the third installation in my unpublished fantasy series, and after many frustrations I'm wondering what to do. I'm Icelandic but I originally wrote the first book in english and sent query letter after query letter abroad for about a year, with no results.
I then translated the first book (Lord of the Blind) into Icelandic, doing some much-needed rewrites in the process, and started contacting local publishers over a year ago. I DID manage to get a respected writer and publisher on my side, who likes my work and definitely considers it worthy of publication, but now the financial crisis is standing in my way; His company isn't doing too well, and they can only take on a very limited number of books for now. He's had to delay again and again in giving me any kind of concrete statement, and the latest postponement is till next January.
And in January I may very well get another postponement. Assuming his company doesn't just go bankrupt after the Christmas releases.
After all this effort and waiting with very little to show for it, I'm wondering if I made the wrong decision in giving up on foreign publishers. Everyone who beta-reads my work agrees that it's intriguing, fast-paced, entertaining, fairly unique, and filled with compelling characters. And I trust their judgment and honesty, so I know I have something decent on my hands, and I have pleeenty more books planned. So it's just a matter of getting my foot through the door.
Should I devote the time and effort needed to re-translate the latest version of my manuscript into english? I know there are online lists of fantasy publishers, but can someone give me personal advice on which ones are likely to give me the time of day, and are actively looking for new writers?
I then translated the first book (Lord of the Blind) into Icelandic, doing some much-needed rewrites in the process, and started contacting local publishers over a year ago. I DID manage to get a respected writer and publisher on my side, who likes my work and definitely considers it worthy of publication, but now the financial crisis is standing in my way; His company isn't doing too well, and they can only take on a very limited number of books for now. He's had to delay again and again in giving me any kind of concrete statement, and the latest postponement is till next January.
And in January I may very well get another postponement. Assuming his company doesn't just go bankrupt after the Christmas releases.
After all this effort and waiting with very little to show for it, I'm wondering if I made the wrong decision in giving up on foreign publishers. Everyone who beta-reads my work agrees that it's intriguing, fast-paced, entertaining, fairly unique, and filled with compelling characters. And I trust their judgment and honesty, so I know I have something decent on my hands, and I have pleeenty more books planned. So it's just a matter of getting my foot through the door.
Should I devote the time and effort needed to re-translate the latest version of my manuscript into english? I know there are online lists of fantasy publishers, but can someone give me personal advice on which ones are likely to give me the time of day, and are actively looking for new writers?
