Monday, May 13, 2013

April seems so long ago

Yes, I made it through the A to Z. Admitted, it took a lot more of my time than I could really afford, and I didn't get around to visiting half as many blogs as I would have liked. I think I only finished the month out of sheer stubbornness, but I still managed to find some amazing new blogs out there.

One of the reasons I wasn't so into the A to Z is that Tiamat's Nest is slowly moving through the queue on Critique Circle. I've taken it as far as I can on my own, and it needs a thorough going-over by independent and critical eyes. This means I am also in mad critiquing mode myself, building new critiquing relationships with folks currently active, and earning the credits needed to keep a stream of chapter-sized submissions flowing.

While all that's going on, I am taking the first tentative steps researching the ins and outs of self-publishing for Ghosts of Innocence. I'm taking this slowly, because it will certainly involve some outlay and I want to work out how much it's realistic to expect. Once I start, I want to be able to follow through to completion.

There's that stubbornness again.

On top of that, of course, there's work and Real Life...but that's for another post.

14 comments:

mooderino said...

Ah, real life. Always getting in the way.

mood
Moody Writing

The Funnily Enough

Anonymous said...

Yur A to Z was very informative and I can see where those posts took quite a bit of time.

Jean Davis said...

Sorry I haven't been able to get to any of your chapters. It's one of three novels I meant to crit my way through but I haven't had time to crit anything in a while. :(

Happy researching. There's a lot of information out there, but that also means there's a lot to sift through.

Rebekkah Niles said...

Good luck with your self-pub! Sarra Cannon has a nice collection of links for indie writers. She's a YA paranormal romance author, but many of the links are geared to self-publishing authors in general.

Also, GalleyCat has started a monthly Self-Pub resource column, which is good for collecting up-to-date info.

David Batista said...

I would have failed miserably had I attempted to participate in A to Z. Bravo on completing the alphabet! And even more congratulations on having TN critted. I know that might sound like an odd thing to congratulate one on, but for me it means you've arrived at the next stage of your novel's progression toward publication. And that's a pretty big accomplishment!

Good luck, my friend.

Unknown said...

Bravo for finishing! I'm still on the letter Y from last year.

:D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

April does seem like a long time ago. Glad you made it through though.
I know a lot of great sites and a couple authors who've published books on the topic of self-publishing if you need more to research.

Botanist said...

mood, ain't that so :)

Delores, thanks, glad you enjoyed them.

Jean, no worries. I'm trying to keep up with about 4 novels right now and it takes a lot of time.

Thanks for the pointers, Rebekkah.

David, it is a significant milestone indeed. It's enough to have started the process. It will take me most of this year to plough through.

Diane, still going? Good for you for perseverance.

Alex, thanks. There seems to be a vast amount of advice out there.

Pearson Report said...

I'm excited for you with your writing and critiquing - I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you. It is a process, but you'll get through it! :)

And you're so right - April? What month was that... seems like months ago.

Congratulations on finishing the A-Z, I enjoyed my visits here, and learned a lot from your posts.

Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT

Botanist said...

Jenny, that's what caught me by surprise. End of April, I blink, and suddenly it's mid May and feels like months ago. I put it down to old age :)

Petronela said...

I've heard a lot about these critique circles, they seem to work for most writers. I personally prefer an honest friend, but I know you are very thorough person and this might be your best option. I was curious whether you've submitted or queried some publishers?

Botanist said...

unikorna, I certainly recommend critiques by other writers. Friends who are able to be truly honest - and who have the knowledge to comment on the craft of writing - are hard to come by.

I did spend a while querying Ghosts to agents, but I've concluded it ain't happening and life is too short :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Ian .. so pleased to read Tiamat's Nest is progressing - you must be really chuffed to have it finished.

Good luck with the next stage - the premise certainly sounded interesting and it's not my genre .. all the very best - and I enjoyed your A-Z posts .. cheers Hilary

Botanist said...

Hilary, chuffed indeed, though I reckon our American friends will be wondering what the 'eck we're blatherin' on about :D

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