A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
A Christmas To Remember was first germinated almost twenty years ago as a story called Ozark Angel. This is the first manuscript I ever finished and put through the paces.
While it hasn't scored well in small competitions, Ozark Angel did get a 'full' request from a Harl. editor who at the time had a reputation for never requesting more than a partial (first 3 chapters and a synop). After going through two editor reads at SuperRomance, I got a kind rejection letter saying while they loved the story, it didn't fit them. Hey - I can live with that kind of rejection.
The second time out of the gate, I received a partial then a full on the manuscript from the editor at Genesis Press. They were a multi-cultural publisher. I pointed out to the editor that this could not be a multi-cultural romance she replied with 'multi-cultural will not always be popular, but a good romance will stand the test of time'. Her reader aka receptionist loved the book. She remembered me and the story a year later when I called their office about another matter. She said her boss was nuts for not picking up the story. From her mouth to a publisher's ears!
And then it sat.... and sat ... and sat...
I've pulled it out a time or two trying to figure out why the story wasn't moving. I know with Harlequin, it wasn't long enough. As I work on the story now, I understand why.
While the manuscript went through a professional editor ( she edits for some big names) as I pulled the story out last fall and decided the time had come, I began seeing a lot of things pop out at me. I'd read a sentence and think 'Why?' or 'How?' and realized A Christmas To Remember needed serious work.
Now I try to spend a minimum of two hours every night going through the editing notes I made. The other thing is that I'm handwriting this story from start to finish. There's something about pen to paper that just makes things flow better sometimes. Fantasy author, Prix Gautney writes her stories by hand the first round through.
I know when I type up the rewrite I'll find other things to fix. Then my sister will do the first read-through for story inconsistencies or something that might not come out the way I had it in my head.
Okay.. so the WHY I've been absent. I think I was so conflicted about how I wanted my career to go that I just couldn't bring myself to write something that might never see publication. The new-age question of TRADITIONAL vs. INDIE
I've weighed the pros and cons for months - okay, a couple of years - and I keep coming back to two things.
1- How bad do I want to walk into Walmart or B & N and see my book on the shelf - or am I just content to have my own copies to sell?
2 - How much control am I willing to give up?
Okay, that is a big one. I am an OCD control freak. One of the things that really turned the page for me a couple of weeks ago was seeing what one of my author friends is going through.
She has been a successful Indie author for about three years - or longer. She's worked HARD on a daily basis to a) craft a great read b) marketing that great read c) continuing to craft more great reads in the process. She recently got a multi-book contract for her stories.
They are revamping her marketing and they've taken excellent titles and turned them on their ear. She is over the moon and I am thrilled for her. But for me, personally, I don't think I can give up that control. I would be a nervous wreck!
On the flip - I have another author friend who has been traditionally published for years. She is now indie-publishing her books and couldn't be happier!
The MORAL - is that each of us has to do what works for us.
Some of my stories don't fit into the box some traditional publishers want you to use. But I still think they're great reads and that there is someone out there who will think so, too. And if not, then at least I tried.
The other thing is let's look at the time line for A Christmas To Remember:
1- End of May - finish the rewrite
2 -End of July - my sister will have gone through the ms a chapter at a time
3 -End of Aug - revamp based on her comments
4 -End of September - Go through professional editing
End of October - have up on Amazon in time for Christmas season
Approximately a 70% commission if what I'm hearing is correct.
If I were to go through steps 1-4 then by first of October begin shopping to a traditional publisher. I'd be lucky to have a contract by June of 2019. So let's look at this potential scenario:
1 - June 2019 - Get a Contract
2 - 18-24 months to publication - October 2020!
All that time, I'm not making any money! And when I do, they are taking a minimum of 45% plus the 15% (est) an agent will take. Plus.. they are taking their percentage for me still doing the lions share of the marketing work.
I do have a western series I'd like to traditional publish. I've already spoken to one publisher and she's waiting patiently. But for now, it's all about my contemporary stories.
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