Now that I'm back to writing, some will wonder what my schedule for publication is like. I have two novels - Homecoming and Schism - that are just about ready to go. I need to read through Homecoming one more time, and I need to add a little more heft to Schism(it's written in four acts, but I think the fourth act needs to be split in two), so it's not their completeness that's the issue - it's the cost.
I takes about $900 to bring a book out. Between cover art, formatting, and editing, it takes nearly $1000 to properly bring a book to market, and my funds are running low at the moment. I have enough to bring out one, but not two. Don't get me wrong - I'll definitely publish both at some point, but I can't afford to do both in the next year or so. Therefore, I have to choose.
And that's the rub, isn't it? Which one would be the best to bring out? Which one could get the most heat? Both are different types of books than I've published before. Homecoming is a science fiction novel written in a journal format, and Schism is a four(soon to be five) act story written both in narrative and internet stream of consciousness format. While the themes are big, ie - revolving around massive and earth shaking consequences, neither delves into the spirit world or talks about God very much.
Looking at the current landscape, I think the choice is obvious - Schism. My next post is going to be about how divided we are, not just as a nation, but also as a people, and I think Schism will bring the most heat to the market. I'm setting it's release date for April 5, 2020, right in the heart of the election season(during primaries but before conventions). I think it captures the seething hatred our society currently feels towards anyone who doesn't share our personal political beliefs or aligns with another tribe(tribe in this case being an opposing political party or world outlook). Is it cynical of me to try and ride the wave of polarization our nation is currently suffering? Probably, but I'm a businessman in the end, and the market will be prepped for just such a book since there's something in it for everyone on all sides to enjoy/feel righteous about. Additionally, it'll give me a little more time to make sure I have sufficient funds to publish without it wrecking my account. Afterwards, we'll see what happens on the publishing front.
I also plan to start writing novels again. I started with a half-hearted attempt at the sequel to Akeldama, but the first draft came out poorly(actually, the plot spun wildly out of control), so I need to wait a bit on that one. Plus, as indicated, my heart just wasn't in it. However, my heart is into the Salvation Day sequel, and I want to at least write the first chapter. There's also a song I hear every now and then on the radio that constantly inspires me, so I better write it before it bursts out of my chest.
As to my other books, there are three more novels I've completed, but all three need extensive re-writes. I used to wonder why authors didn't let us see their first drafts - after all, they produced such great work that I enjoyed reading - but now I know. Had I seen those early drafts, I might not have read the final draft, because first drafts usually stink. So I'll re-write those three other novels before they come close to seeing the light of day. Maybe by then enough of you will have bought so many books of mine that I'll have the funds to publish without worrying about choosing between spaghetti and dog food.
I takes about $900 to bring a book out. Between cover art, formatting, and editing, it takes nearly $1000 to properly bring a book to market, and my funds are running low at the moment. I have enough to bring out one, but not two. Don't get me wrong - I'll definitely publish both at some point, but I can't afford to do both in the next year or so. Therefore, I have to choose.
And that's the rub, isn't it? Which one would be the best to bring out? Which one could get the most heat? Both are different types of books than I've published before. Homecoming is a science fiction novel written in a journal format, and Schism is a four(soon to be five) act story written both in narrative and internet stream of consciousness format. While the themes are big, ie - revolving around massive and earth shaking consequences, neither delves into the spirit world or talks about God very much.
Looking at the current landscape, I think the choice is obvious - Schism. My next post is going to be about how divided we are, not just as a nation, but also as a people, and I think Schism will bring the most heat to the market. I'm setting it's release date for April 5, 2020, right in the heart of the election season(during primaries but before conventions). I think it captures the seething hatred our society currently feels towards anyone who doesn't share our personal political beliefs or aligns with another tribe(tribe in this case being an opposing political party or world outlook). Is it cynical of me to try and ride the wave of polarization our nation is currently suffering? Probably, but I'm a businessman in the end, and the market will be prepped for just such a book since there's something in it for everyone on all sides to enjoy/feel righteous about. Additionally, it'll give me a little more time to make sure I have sufficient funds to publish without it wrecking my account. Afterwards, we'll see what happens on the publishing front.
I also plan to start writing novels again. I started with a half-hearted attempt at the sequel to Akeldama, but the first draft came out poorly(actually, the plot spun wildly out of control), so I need to wait a bit on that one. Plus, as indicated, my heart just wasn't in it. However, my heart is into the Salvation Day sequel, and I want to at least write the first chapter. There's also a song I hear every now and then on the radio that constantly inspires me, so I better write it before it bursts out of my chest.
As to my other books, there are three more novels I've completed, but all three need extensive re-writes. I used to wonder why authors didn't let us see their first drafts - after all, they produced such great work that I enjoyed reading - but now I know. Had I seen those early drafts, I might not have read the final draft, because first drafts usually stink. So I'll re-write those three other novels before they come close to seeing the light of day. Maybe by then enough of you will have bought so many books of mine that I'll have the funds to publish without worrying about choosing between spaghetti and dog food.
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