My new crime book is cruising along at No 46 in the Amazon charts, under ‘Best Sellers in Welsh Crime.’ Stella Windermere The case of the Polish sailor, tells of an older lady, an amateur sleuth who solves crime in her local town. The character is based on a family member (now deceased) and is set in my old town in Wales.
Self Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
I’m pleased that its there, but I’m slowly realising how difficult it is to market a book yourself. My first two did well; a trilogy of historical novels that’s still WIP. After sharing it on Facebook, my blog, and Instagram, I ran out of promotion tools. The novelty of my books has also waned a bit with people I know, so I’m getting a bit frustrated by self publishing.
Because I’ve been swayed by the potency of having your own work published (and seeing it there in print), I have neglected to go the other route, and send manuscripts to traditional publishers. My dream of having several publishing houses vying for my work has become an illusion, a fantasy and a cause for self doubt and self critiquing.
Has anyone else had these same doubts? Do I carry on self publishing or send to traditional publishers?
Please share your thoughts!
suzannebowditch 
December 15, 2016 at 5:19 am
Hi Susan: I wrote you a reply on Christoph Fisher’s Welsh Wednesday blog share! Wishing you a prosperous road ahead!
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December 15, 2016 at 5:35 am
I ‘ve just read your post Claire, on Christoph’s site – thank you ! I’m still writing, and aim to make 2017 an even more fruitful year! Great news about your own story, thanks for sharing, that has given me such a boost! 🙂 x
Are you on Amazon? I will definitely look you up and read your books – are they thrillers/ historical fiction? 🙂 x
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December 15, 2016 at 5:48 am
Claire just found your website, it looks so cool 🙂 And on FB :)x
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December 15, 2016 at 8:40 pm
Hi Susan. Yes, both my novels are under Claire Fullerton on Amazon. My publisher is Vinspire Publishing. I’ve had an interesting road, to say the least! My first published book was simply intended to be page-turning fiction, but Vinspire put it out as paranormal mystery! My 2nd book is what you’ll see from me in the future. It is first person, contemporary fiction set in Ireland and called Dancing to an Irish Reel. My third is a Southern family saga, and good things are happening with it. Early 2017 should find me making an announcement as to the road ahead. This is why I want to see you get in the game by raising your own bar as a writer. It takes patience and perseverance, but I think you deserve to aim as high as you can to discover your best options.
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December 15, 2016 at 9:41 pm
I love the cover of Dancing to an Irish reel and the story set in Ireland is very appealling! I look forward to reading it. I am working on the thir.d book of a trilogy, historical novels set around the convict era. I hope to get it finished by May 2017. I’m also enrolled on a creative writing course, Feb 2017 at my local uni – looking forward to learning more on the craft of writing!
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December 16, 2016 at 12:00 am
You are on a great path! And, of course, there are many interested in your progress, myself included!
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December 16, 2016 at 1:14 am
Thanks claire! Have a lovely christmas 💜
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December 14, 2016 at 1:28 pm
It’s a numbers game. Keep writing and the rest should come in time. Agents and publishers generally get interested when an author sells at least 50,000 books. There are exceptions, of course, but that’s a general rule. Use marketing tools like the Kindle Countdown promotions. Ebooks are extremely price sensitive. And do all you can to develop positive links with book bloggers at home and abroad. I’ve found the blogging community very supportive. Finally, there’s some great advice on the Alliance of Independent Authors website. Orna Ross, who runs it on a non profit basis, is an author and ex agent with a great deal of publishing expertise. I hope that helps? My books are at # 2, 3 and 4 in the Welsh Crime chart at the time of writing. If I can be of any help, just let me know. Best wishes, John
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December 14, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Thanks john for this ☺I will definitely look at the Independent Authors website that Orna Ross runs. You are right about the blogging support, its fabulous. Well done with your own achievements, I m going to take a look and download your books. Fabulous! ☺📚
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December 14, 2016 at 11:12 pm
I’ll check yours out too. Have a great Christmas, John
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December 15, 2016 at 12:14 am
Lovely, have a good christmas, and thanks ☺🎄
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December 12, 2016 at 11:35 pm
I’m just going to concentrate on my writing, and think of the rest as White Noise!
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December 12, 2016 at 9:59 pm
Heard it’s as hard to get an agent as get a publisher these days. If only sending stuff off gave you feedback … I got a novel opening sent to a publisher after winning a local authority competition and the detailed response was very helpful. As this hasn’t been, I’m afraid, but good luck anyway …
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December 12, 2016 at 10:17 pm
Thanks dave ☺
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December 12, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Suzanne, you can expect to do a lot of your own marketing with a trad publisher, too. Marketing never stops if you want to sell books, in my humble opinion. The best advice I have received from other authors is to “write the next book, hire a good editor, and never stop learning.
Take a deep breath.
In the end, you have to do what feels right for you.
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December 12, 2016 at 10:16 pm
Thanks Mary its a learning curve. I love to write but marketing is a different story, a necessary evil that distracts from writing. Learning this all the time ☺
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December 12, 2016 at 11:21 pm
So true.
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