Thank you for this blog post! I had been taking classes, working on craft, and querying for years. There were some suggestions from traditional publishing that don’t sit well with me. I took Darcy’s self publishing class through Story Teller Academy and realized that this was the path that called to me the most.
We absolutely need quality writing. We need to change the narrative but also keep in mind that there are people that will not agree with some of our editorial decisions because it’s not something a “big publisher would do”. We have the freedom to make educated decisions that go against the norm. I love that about self-publishing!
Thank you so very much for saying this, Darcy. I am traditionally published, but I do manuscript consultations for those who wish to be traditionally published and those who plan to self-publish. I enjoy working with them to help them make their stories as good as possible, but often they have no idea how long most published authors have worked prior to being published. Quite a few have written for only a year or two and hope their very first try to be snatched up. Our first duty is to give our precious children the very best books we can. It is an honor to write for children. It is not something to add to one's "I've done this" list or because you wish your name on a book. I always look forward to your wisdom, Darcy!
I do think that there's room for lots of types of stories. Maybe we quash something wonderful too fast? We need to walk that balance between our legacy ideas of "good" and the freshness that someone might bring. Still - too often the beginner manuscripts lack the kid-appeal necessary.
Thank you, Darcy, for your comments. About 6 yrs. ago I started my writing journey. I am one of those writers that thought I wrote wonderful stories everyone was going to love. As I read back on my earlier books I think, " oh no." I have since learned the importance of taking classes, critique partners and an editor. Learning will be a nonstop process. I hope on my journey I will continue to learn ways in which I can improve my skills and produce a quality product that a child will love.
Well said, as always! When I first decided to dive into indie publishing, I became very worried after reviewing a lot of picture books that felt to me were more like rough drafts than books ready for publishing. But since then I have seen both the good and the bad. What writers need to realize is that by not learning or seeing that their book is the best that it can be, they are slowing down not only their success but they are giving indie publishing a bad reputation.
It's interesting the journey we're all on as writers. I've been writing for 20 years. I have BFA in creative writing. I had an agent a couple years ago and almost got published and it never worked out. I'm what you call, the opposite of the example you set forth. I have LOTS to share and have shared nothing. Legacy publishing has gotten less and less attractive to me, especially after my first experience dipping my toes in that water. On the other hand, I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed by all the options a writer (for children or any person) now has for getting their work out into the world. Self-publish? Hybrid? Wattpad? Yes, we must commit to the very best writing we can manage, and then sometimes even then getting it out into the world, seems like a daunting and near impossible task. Thanks for this.
Ah, I know. It's hard to make that commitment to building your own business. I dabbled and played for a couple years before going full tilt. I think it does need that full commitment! But I'm so much happier. And wealthier!
Thanks Darcy. What would your advice be for where to start learning how to do that? There's just SO much out there. I'm at a complete loss to know how to move this forward.
Are we writing what publishers want or need? What type of books are publishers looking for? Some editors do not want fantasy, sci-fi, or princess books. Read the submission page on a publisher’s website.
If you are going for a legacy contract, true. These days, though, I write the things I want to write, and publish what I think will be successful. Hallelujah! Indie publishing is a joy!
How right you are! Traditional publishing houses have only so much room. I liked, and feel good about, my time publishing with them. But I LOVE indie publishing.
Thank you for this blog post! I had been taking classes, working on craft, and querying for years. There were some suggestions from traditional publishing that don’t sit well with me. I took Darcy’s self publishing class through Story Teller Academy and realized that this was the path that called to me the most.
We absolutely need quality writing. We need to change the narrative but also keep in mind that there are people that will not agree with some of our editorial decisions because it’s not something a “big publisher would do”. We have the freedom to make educated decisions that go against the norm. I love that about self-publishing!
Love this! Yes! There are many readers who will welcome our visions for children's books!
Darcy
Thank you so very much for saying this, Darcy. I am traditionally published, but I do manuscript consultations for those who wish to be traditionally published and those who plan to self-publish. I enjoy working with them to help them make their stories as good as possible, but often they have no idea how long most published authors have worked prior to being published. Quite a few have written for only a year or two and hope their very first try to be snatched up. Our first duty is to give our precious children the very best books we can. It is an honor to write for children. It is not something to add to one's "I've done this" list or because you wish your name on a book. I always look forward to your wisdom, Darcy!
I do think that there's room for lots of types of stories. Maybe we quash something wonderful too fast? We need to walk that balance between our legacy ideas of "good" and the freshness that someone might bring. Still - too often the beginner manuscripts lack the kid-appeal necessary.
Darcy
Absolutely agree. We want to do our best for the children. That's the bottom line. www.marshadianearnold.com
Thank you, Darcy, for your comments. About 6 yrs. ago I started my writing journey. I am one of those writers that thought I wrote wonderful stories everyone was going to love. As I read back on my earlier books I think, " oh no." I have since learned the importance of taking classes, critique partners and an editor. Learning will be a nonstop process. I hope on my journey I will continue to learn ways in which I can improve my skills and produce a quality product that a child will love.
Learning is a life-long journey! You're right!
Darcy
That's what I have always loved about writing. You never get good enough.
Well said, as always! When I first decided to dive into indie publishing, I became very worried after reviewing a lot of picture books that felt to me were more like rough drafts than books ready for publishing. But since then I have seen both the good and the bad. What writers need to realize is that by not learning or seeing that their book is the best that it can be, they are slowing down not only their success but they are giving indie publishing a bad reputation.
It's interesting the journey we're all on as writers. I've been writing for 20 years. I have BFA in creative writing. I had an agent a couple years ago and almost got published and it never worked out. I'm what you call, the opposite of the example you set forth. I have LOTS to share and have shared nothing. Legacy publishing has gotten less and less attractive to me, especially after my first experience dipping my toes in that water. On the other hand, I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed by all the options a writer (for children or any person) now has for getting their work out into the world. Self-publish? Hybrid? Wattpad? Yes, we must commit to the very best writing we can manage, and then sometimes even then getting it out into the world, seems like a daunting and near impossible task. Thanks for this.
Ah, I know. It's hard to make that commitment to building your own business. I dabbled and played for a couple years before going full tilt. I think it does need that full commitment! But I'm so much happier. And wealthier!
Darcy
Thanks Darcy. What would your advice be for where to start learning how to do that? There's just SO much out there. I'm at a complete loss to know how to move this forward.
Sounds like a blog post. Let me think about it and I'll post soon.
It would definitely be a very helpful to read! Thank you!
Are we writing what publishers want or need? What type of books are publishers looking for? Some editors do not want fantasy, sci-fi, or princess books. Read the submission page on a publisher’s website.
If you are going for a legacy contract, true. These days, though, I write the things I want to write, and publish what I think will be successful. Hallelujah! Indie publishing is a joy!
Darcy
How right you are! Traditional publishing houses have only so much room. I liked, and feel good about, my time publishing with them. But I LOVE indie publishing.