As most of you know, CLOCKWISE was launched out into the world last week. Finally. That was a Good Thing. No, that was a Great Thing. It was fun and I got to hang out with friends and make some new ones. It's an awesome feeling to see your work on Amazon--it is like hanging a novel on the wall.
The bad thing: right at the peak of CLOCKWISE glory, my cat Spiff went missing. If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you will have heard me refer to him, and his pretty face is located on the right side of this blog. It was tough to celebrate the success of the launch without him. He was with me right from the beginning of this blog, cheering me on, telling me I could do this crazy thing. So, yeah, he's gone and I miss him.
A not so good thing, but maybe not a bad thing: Just a couple days before my launch my agent and I parted ways. It was an amicable parting, basically just realizing that we each had different creative goals, and my work and her vision weren't lining up. It's not so surprising, as she was kind of a hand me over agent. Based on her profile and what she's looking for, I wouldn't have queried her, and she likely wouldn't have offered to represent me. I'll be honest and tell you that I felt sucker punched for the first couple days but with the excitement of CLOCKWISE and the prospect of indie publishing further, I started to feel a little -- relieved?
So, what now you ask? A few days ago I would've said I'm all in for Indie Publishing. I love the control it gives me over my own career, and that I don't have to worry about aligning my creative style to one or two people in order to get published.
Then someone who read the next book I'd planned on indie publishing convinced me I should try querying one more time (you know who you are :). I wrestled with that, because I had made peace with doing things on my own, but my daughter agreed I should give it another shot, so I sent out five queries.
Bottom line, I'm going to keep indie publishing, but I might still give traditional publishing a try if the right opportunity presents itself. If not, it's indie all the way, and I'm okay with that.
About Me
- Elle Strauss
- I write Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. I'm a married mom of four, and live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, famous for beaches and vineyards. I'm fond of Lindt's sea salt dark chocolate and hiking in good weather. My Young Adult rom/com time-travel CLOCKWISE series and contemporary/otherworldly Middle Grade IT'S A LITTLE HAYWIRE are now available on Amazon.
I def. hear of that happening more and more. Maybe more writers are speaking out about it? But writers change, visions don't align anymore. LIke rejection, it's not always personal.
ReplyDeleteRequerying is a personal choice. But if you felt relieved? Maybe you should stick to indie. For now.
So sorry about your cat. It's always hard when something amazing happens and the people (and animals) we know should be there aren't.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to see what happens in your journey next - whether traditional publishing works for you, or if you stick with indie publishing. You are one of the writers who has inspired me to pursue the indie route, so I'm following your path with interest!
Spiff will probably walk through the door anytime and act like nothing happened. You know the way of cats.
ReplyDeleteI wish you great success in your jouney. I will be following you.
I hope Spiff returns soon, safe and sound!
ReplyDeleteI know there are a lot of writers taking your same exact course. I am also indie pubbed and have other books that I am still querying traditionally. I think we're going to see more and more of this in coming years!
Congrats on a huge week!!
Your poor cat, I hope you find him soon. Also, I've heard these kinds of things happen with agents more than people are aware of. It's good you're being honest about it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. :( :(
ReplyDeleteNo harm in trying different routes! You don't have to be one or the other, in my opinion.
I lost a cat in just that way once. His name was Julius Caesar, and I missed him terribly. So sorry about Spiff. :(
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me like with all that's been going on, what you need is a holiday! The time after a big "victory" (creative success) can be one when we're most vulnerable. Be good to yourself and take some time for just *nothing*- you've earned it!
I hope your kitty comes home soon! And gosh, what a wringer you've been through with the agent upheaval. What you'd said about having control and being able to follow your vision is making self-publishing sound very, very appealing to me. But like Talli said, this isn't necessarily a forever decision. You can handle different projects different ways.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Spiff.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've had your share of trials, but you inspire me with your strength and resilience. I hope your launch is a smash.
Laura - I'm pretty sure the decision will be made for me. If I don't hear something positive by end November, I'm putting my next one out in time for Christmas. That's the deal I made for myself.
ReplyDeleteE. Lousise - Thanks for rooting for Spiff. I'm curious to see what happens in my journey too!
Elizabeth - I agree.
Angela - It does seem that agent partings are happening a lot lately, for all kinds of reasons. The industry is in a shake up.
Laurel -Ya, it's been kind of emotional. It's true that there are different ways you could go, but Indie is the only one where you can call all the shots. Doesn't mean you can control sales, though, but you can't do that with Trad, either. It's getting harder to have to wait on other people to make things happen for you, especially when the odds of breaking in Trad get slimmer every year.
ReplyDeleteMaria - Thanks!
Talli-- it's true that it's technically possible do both, which is great.
ReplyDeleteAmo - Thanks for the kiity love. Ya, there is a bit of post launch dip. I've been watching a lot of Dr. Who for therapy :)
Big hugs, Elle. I'm sure whatever you decide, will be the best for you. Hoping your cat returns safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteHi Elle,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Spiff. I hope he comes home soon! Sounds like you've been going through a lot the past few days, but it also appears as if you're working through it quite well. Hang in there and thanks for sharing. :)
Kristin - Thanks, Kristin! Appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouraging words, Shannon!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry your cat went missing, I've had that happen and it's heartbreaking. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThere is no reason you can't do both indie and traditional. I think each book is different and you have to do what feels right to you. I'm not sure I'd be willing to jump back in the querying shark pool but if a publisher approached me, that would be a different story. :)
Oh, I hope Spiff is home safe soon! thinking of you- and glad you're doing what feels right to you with the book!
ReplyDeletebru
Heather - Hugs back! I know what you mean about jumping back into the querying shark pool. That's why I gave myself a quantity limit and a time limit. So we'll see.
ReplyDeleteBru - Thanks!
Elle: I have a zillion stories to tell, but I'm sure you heard them all. The bottom line is that the days of Hemingway and the $100,000.00 advances are over. The industry has changed drastically. Indie appears to be the way of the future, but I still send out my queries as well. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elle. Wishing you great success with CLOCKWISE. Based on the reviews, you're well on your way.
ReplyDeleteI hope kitty comes home!
ReplyDeleteI hope Spiff comes home safely soon, Elle! Sorry to hear things didn't work out with this agent, but finding someone who has a vision for your career and will guide you through any publishing medium is a positive thing. Querying stinks, but I'm sure you'll find a new agent in no time. And by the way, your author photo is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSeems life is about moving from one challenge to the next. Like you, I'm keeping my options open and working along with publishers, even as I travel down the self-publishing road. Hoping your cat has since come home.
ReplyDeletemwuhahahaha! *cough*cough* sorry. My evil laugh is rusty. Keep us posted... *rubs hands*
ReplyDeleteBut not Spiff!!! Nooo... OK, here's what I know about cats. They like to visit the neighbors and if anyone's feeding them, they'll hang out. I actually *stole* my neighbor around the corner's cat inadvertently. This cute little kitty showed up, the girls loved it, and we fed it. It hung out for weeks until I finally started asking around and Voila! So ask around~ :o) <3
Sorry about Spiff. :(
ReplyDeleteYou've sure been on the emotional rollercoaster, but launch=good and the other publishing stuff will sort itself out. You have a good attitude, which will help.