I've got a bit of a dilemma. I wrote a short story a couple of years back. Very niche, lots of slang and swearing. It was picked up by a publisher that specialises in exactly those sort of stories and will be published in an anthology in a couple of weeks. I sent the same publishers a second story yesterday, and they snapped it up straight away for a second anthology to be published in February/March. These publishers are just starting out, seem like great blokes, and really friendly. As of yet, there is no payment for publication, although there is a free copy of the book. My dilemma is this. I seem to have found a writing voice that, on this evidence, is suitable for publication. Do I begin to focus on writing a collection of stories in view of submitting them as a whole to various publishers or carry on submitting them individually to these publishers until I've, perhaps, built up a small body of published work? My heart says stick with what I'm doing, but my head . . . well, I'm not so sure . . . . Any comments much appreciated. Warmest regards, Ian
If you are just starting out then I think that this relationship could be beneficial and a boost to your confidence. Probably worth pursuing just for that. I can't see any harm as long as you don't expect any more than the things you identified in your post. Just look at it as you exercising your creative muscles in preparation for later projects. As for style - perhaps the style has chosen you rather than you consciously thinking about changing your style.
Think you're right, Wilson. In a way, you've said everything I wanted to know. Just starting out, that's right - building relationships and confidence, making contacts, getting used to the submission process, whilst, hopefully, improving as a writer. Thank you, you have put my mind fully at rest. Warmest regards, Ian
who's the publisher?... two major red flags to me are 'anthology' and 'no payment'... will they pay you royalties when the book is sold?... have you seen the 'anthology' yet?... is it high quality physically?... is all the work in it high quality?... is it priced realistically?... it's not a benefit to one's writing career to be included in an anthology, unless the publisher is a well-known one and well-respected... which, if they were, you'd be paid for your contribution and have a good royalty deal... sad to say, most anthologies these days are scams... the fact that they gave you a copy, instead of asking you to pay for it is a good sign, but not being paid is a bad one that outweighs that 'good'... keep in mind that in getting your work published, the main goal for most writers is to get paid for it, as well as to get 'known'... and if this outfit puts out anthologies that are not well-regarded in the literary world, you may end up being known as a 'mark' instead of as a good writer... love and fingers-crossed hugs, maia
