I have technically self-published before, putting out a collection of short stories that I had sold to magazines and gotten the rights back for, with a couple original stories thrown in.
But I never self-published any of my novels. I always told myself that if they didn't win an agent over, they clearly "weren't good enough," and they deserved to be shoved in a drawer and read by nobody. The amount of full requests, contest wins, positive beta feedback, and R&Rs the manuscript got didn't sway me. My book was either "offer of representation worthy" or "clearly trash."
After a lot of self-reflection, I've come to realize this was not a healthy mindset. Things can slip through the cracks and not getting an agent doesn't mean a book wasn't good. Heck, I was even told point blank by one agent the lack of an offer had nothing to do with quality--she had just taken on something too similar and couldn't take me on as well.
So I've gotten up the courage to put my novel out there, a middle grade book entitled MY BEST FRIEND RUNS VENUS. All the info is on my website, MBFRV.com. (Because, miraculously, that domain name was actually available.)
I'm really proud it and of how far I've come. I know the journey is just beginning, but I'm excited to be taking it.
But I never self-published any of my novels. I always told myself that if they didn't win an agent over, they clearly "weren't good enough," and they deserved to be shoved in a drawer and read by nobody. The amount of full requests, contest wins, positive beta feedback, and R&Rs the manuscript got didn't sway me. My book was either "offer of representation worthy" or "clearly trash."
After a lot of self-reflection, I've come to realize this was not a healthy mindset. Things can slip through the cracks and not getting an agent doesn't mean a book wasn't good. Heck, I was even told point blank by one agent the lack of an offer had nothing to do with quality--she had just taken on something too similar and couldn't take me on as well.
So I've gotten up the courage to put my novel out there, a middle grade book entitled MY BEST FRIEND RUNS VENUS. All the info is on my website, MBFRV.com. (Because, miraculously, that domain name was actually available.)
I'm really proud it and of how far I've come. I know the journey is just beginning, but I'm excited to be taking it.
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