Like Glass Off the Market
I thought, when I started trying to sell Like Glass about a year ago that it was a good idea. I’d get my name out there, people might take a little notice of it, and it’d be easier to get a publishing deal when I could say “Hey look, I’m selling books, I just can’t market it the way it needs to be marketed.” I knew I wouldn’t get rich in the process, but I figured I’d make enough for a couple cartons of smokes.
Turns out I was sorely mistaken. Not only has it been nothing but a headache, it has actually damaged my chances of getting published. In spite of great reviews, no one wants to touch it because it’s self-published. Of course, if it had made great sales, it’d be a different story; what I’m wondering though, is why anyone would think I’d be seeking a traditional publisher if it had made great sales… Seriously, if I can make some decent money and get noticed on my own, why waste anyone else’s time?
Anyways…
I need to get my head out of my ass. This writing thing is fun, but I’m not cut out to be a career writer. I just can’t handle the business side of it – the marketing mostly, but pretty much everything else aside from the plain-old creative part (and even that drives me to the brink of psychosis). It’s just too much work for me to handle, simple as that. Others can deal with it quite well; I’m not “others.”
I need to relax, refocus on life. I need to focus on my job. My family. My sanity – as much as I try to not let it get to me, getting rejection letter after rejection letter starts to take its toll.
So, with this time off (if I get it; it’s still pending), I’m going to just chill out, play video games, maybe work on a software project or two. Like Glass and Shattered are no longer a concern. If I feel like it, I might work more on Vanishing Point stories, but even those were a means to an end – they were just supposed to get people interested a little in the story so I’d have an audience for a set of novels I was planning. If I have the urge to work on them, there’ll be more, but I wouldn’t expect much.
Thanks, and it’s been fun.
–Matt
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11 Responses to “Like Glass Off the Market”
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That’s a great shame, and personally, I think you are making a mistake.
I have always been an entrepreneur, even as a kid, sitting on the side of the road selling fresh lemons (without my parents or neighbours knowledge I was profiting from *their* lemons
). Guess it has help me develop thick skin around failure and rejection. But I never give up because for me that would be hard than going on.
As for marketing, I like this little gem from Jim Rohn:
“To succeed in sales, simply talk to lots of people every day. And here´s what´s exciting ? there are lots of people!”
Take a break Matt, but don’t give up. Look at J K Rolling. It was pure “accident” that her first book ever got published. Don’t discount “accidents”, many many successful people got their because of them.
I understand where you’re coming from with this. I can relate to the disappointment and impatience – but you strike me as someone who really has a love for writing. Redirecting your focus is one thing – it’s most likely a very good thing. It’s easy for me as a stranger to say that I doubt you’ll be any happier if you go ahead and turn your back completely on something that you’re passionate about.
Sometimes, it’s just hard to see the forest for the trees, you know?
Matt,
I am sorry to hear your stepping out, but I totally understand. I think you should revisit the idea at some point, but hire someone to market you. Seriously. It will be money well spent. Remember, however, you were writing for yourself. Find joy in writing again. Please let me know if there is anything I do to help.
Renee
I understand your disappointment. The hardest part we have to face about the writing business is it’s 70-80% business and very little time spent writing. No matter if books or articles, it’s the same scenario.
Matt, I think many of us have been at the point you are now. I’m not going to try and talk you out of giving up. Only you know what is best for you. I would recommend before you do that you search out a local writers’ group and join or at least visit. Though we make lots of connections on the web, there’s nothing like face to face with other writers to inspire you and answer your doubts. They also might guide you on ways to ease the stress of it all. Taking a break is one of the things I’m sure they would tell you. If you take a break and don’t miss it, then you will know you made the right choice. If you feel like you must get back to it, then you are a writer no matter how many books you’ve sold.
I was rejected nearly 30 times while sending in my first novel–which did get published, finally. About every time it came back, I rewrote it. Finally realized I hadn’t really learned enough about the craft of writing and joined a critique group and went to lots of writing conferences.
Now I have over 20 published books, but my biggest advice is never give-up.
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
I’d like to thank everyone for the comments — I wasn’t expecting such a response.
I want to say that it’s not an easy decision (although it would seem like it — I’ve given up on a monthly basis it seems). It’s something that’s been coming for quite some time, and recent events just kinda pushed it over the edge.
I won’t say it’s permanent, although at the moment I wish I could say that. If it makes anyone feel any better, consider it an “indefinite hiatus”.
Marilyn, I definitely understand where you’re coming from, and it’s stories like yours that have kept me going as long as I have — stories where an author goes X number of years before getting their first book published, and finally hits the big time. I don’t have the stamina (or perhaps, it’s simply I don’t have the desire) to go full-force for that long. I’ve gotten many more than 30 rejections, never getting past the query letter, and have rewritten it many, many times — all to no avail. It’s getting old.
Again, I thank everyone for your comments and support.
Wow, I understand how you feel but I agree with the others posting…take a break and see how you feel in a week, or a month, or a year.
My suggestion, keep up on the Twitter/Facebook/MySpace thing. Keep you name out there, have fun with it, and see if the writing comes back. Maybe you can get someone to do a review of the book. A little good publicity might go a long way to jumping back on the horse.
Anyway, good luck and if nothing else, leave the door open…if only a crack.
~Doug
Oh yeah, and one more thing. Maybe you could consider giving it away in a serialized podcast. A lot of authors like Scott Sigler, Mur Lafferty, and others have gotten off of the ground by getting a following before they got a book deal. And Scott hit the NY Times Bestseller last week at #33 with Contagious.
Something to think about.
~Doug
Oh Matt!! I am just now catching up on things and I have to say that I am honestly heartbroken to hear this. You have got such awesome talent and the world deserves to see that. I am furious that you are having such a hard time getting published – there is no reason that you should be, in my opinion. You have a unique and wonderful writing voice and the ability to draw a reader into a whole new world. I hope that this is truly not the end of your writing career. Perhaps by taking a break and just stepping back from it for a bit, that will help put a new perspective on your writing career (ie, enable you to continue to pursue finding a publisher) In any case, I wish you the very best in the future and still hope to see your name on the bestsellers list someday soon!!
April
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