|
pakled
|
 |
« on: May 20, 2012, 06:37:21 am » |
|
Getting to the end of writing a Fantasy series, and am considering that A) It's a first 'novel' (I call it a 'long story', Novels are written by geniuses who write in cork-lined rooms and roll around the floor agonizing on what word to use...  B) Per Sturgeon's law, 90% of everything written is cr*p, It's not really bad, but...not really good, either. I'm not sure. The one beta reader I found seems to like them, but she could just be being polite... So - Who can recommend web sites where one can 'publish', just to see what the general public thinks? I've heard of Smashwords, but are there any other sites that one could use? What would be a good fit for Fantasy/Sci-Fi? To pile on...it's actually the 1st book in a 5-book series (all of those are done, thank the writing gods... Awaiting your input - thanks! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Kathelyne
Deck Hand
 Australia
|
|
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2012, 07:50:07 am » |
|
If you just want to find out what people think then why not try and find a couple more betas, or join a writing crit group (there are ones on the internet, so don't have to be local). Most of the good ones require you to critique other's writing as well which is very beneficial for your own writing. Often times it's easier to see what's wrong in someone else's book.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
polyphemus
|
|
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2012, 07:00:22 am » |
|
I have just got my first novel on Smashwords. So far so good. The process was fairly painless and they potentially put the works out to different outlets. They're probably worth looking into.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Polphemus Pomfret
"Don't be silly. He wouldn't write,"Aaarrgghhh!"
"Perhaps he was dictating."
|
|
|
|
AGB
|
|
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2012, 02:30:16 pm » |
|
lulu.com is another self-publishing site (with print on demand as well) that might be worth looking at.
I assume you're already aware that you should avoid any person or site who wants you to pay them to publish your work.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
AGB
AKA Jester, and others
|
|
|
|
kidkunjer
|
|
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2012, 09:28:26 am » |
|
how about wattpad?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Julian
|
|
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2012, 12:17:04 am » |
|
Amazon has CreateSpace. It will be made available at Amazon.
However, I have to agree with an earlier poster. You would be better off joining a writing group if what you want is feedback. It is unlikely you will get much in the way of feedback by self-publishing. If you get anything, it will be general comments like they like or hate it.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
pakled
|
|
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2012, 03:04:55 am » |
|
Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout... I've already got an account on Smashwords, but was looking for other sites as well. I can't afford to pay anyone so much as a Zimbabwean pence, so nope, not worried about that. Sounds good, off to check them out. Thanks to everyone who responded. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Lady Chrystal
Immortal
 Wales
Lady Adventurer, Chronicler
|
|
« Reply #7 on: June 04, 2012, 03:00:33 pm » |
|
I agree with earlier posters about getting feedback from other writers before you try to publish.
Either in a local group or online - alternately you could post a sample on here and ask for comments. Or invite people to a shared folder (such as on Dropbox) and post a couple of sample chapters there.
Whichever way you go - the best of luck!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"The Chrystal? Ah, now - that would be telling."
.
|
|
|
|
pakled
|
|
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2012, 02:53:30 am » |
|
Interesting idea...It's five novels at around 190 pps each, so that would be a lot of samples. I've heard through some of the articles that the first 3-4 chapters are usually what are sent out to sell the book. I'm so far out in the sticks, I'm not sure if anyone can actually read out here... (The county is known for moonshine, among other things). Online would probably be the best bet. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Lady Chrystal
Immortal
Wales
Lady Adventurer, Chronicler
|
|
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2012, 08:39:23 am » |
|
Many writers post a sample to find out if people want to read further. A chapter or two would suffice.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
maevealpin
Banned user
Deck Hand
|
|
« Reply #10 on: June 06, 2012, 08:25:57 am » |
|
Even if you self publish on smashword, Barnes and Nobles, kindle or the like, you want it to be the best it can be. Get a good critique partner or a good critique group. Also if you do decide to self publish after you have it polished as best you can not only per editing but per full knowledge and skill in the craft of writing and all that entails, you need to have it professionally edited. Or once you get it polished at a professional level you may want to submit it to a publisher. Either way you don't want anything published anywhere if it is not at a fully professional level. Everything you put out contributes to your author brand, anything not up to par is not positive for you. There are a lot of good books on writing as well and there is a great blog for Steampunk writers that has articles and advice on writing also. http://ageofsteam.wordpress.com/ |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Amelia Harper
|
|
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2012, 06:36:44 pm » |
|
I agree with maevealpin - though I didn't get my novels professionally edited (as I have no money). I can be found on Smashwords too. The two stories I've put up so far did go out to agents, though, and came back with personalised rejection letters (and if you get one of those, you know you're doing something right!).
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Raven's Heirs and Like Father, Like Daughter, by Lesley Arrowsmith, are now published on Smashwords (YA Fantasy)
|
|
|
|
neon_suntan
|
|
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2012, 01:45:31 am » |
|
Why do you want to self-publish?
Whats the word count per novel?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
pakled
|
|
« Reply #13 on: July 02, 2012, 06:49:14 pm » |
|
Hmm...I think the tentantive plan is to put the first one out, and see what folks think. As for word-count, I'm not where I have them, but I think it's upwards of 50k...I've been measuring by page-count, so I'd have to go back and look. As for real publishing, that will probably have to wait. I'm still misspelling words and going pear-shaped on punctuation, so most places would probably reject for those reasons alone...(where's the en and em dashes when needed, ellipses are so five minutes ago... Plus there's the skimpy descriptions (which I've heard no one reads, but who knows?), excessive dialog, and a scary realization that I seem to be channeling David Eddings, and that rather badly... That raises legal issues; can a style be copyrighted? I'm still reading 'writing' books, looking for things to do differently (like showing not telling, but in all areas, the only consistent advice is inconsistency... I have someone actually reading the work (bless her heart), so I'll know in a few more weeks. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Captain Braid
|
|
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2012, 10:13:03 am » |
|
I have someone actually reading the work (bless her heart), so I'll know in a few more weeks.
Is she Proof Reading for you? Or is she just reading for a review of the story? As there is a world of difference. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Experienced enough to know my limitations,
Old enough to know better,
Relaxed enough not to care.
|
|
|
Lady Chrystal
Immortal
Wales
Lady Adventurer, Chronicler
|
|
« Reply #15 on: July 08, 2012, 10:34:25 am » |
|
Hmm...I think the tentantive plan is to put the first one out, and see what folks think. As for word-count, I'm not where I have them, but I think it's upwards of 50k...I've been measuring by page-count, so I'd have to go back and look. As for real publishing, that will probably have to wait. I'm still misspelling words and going pear-shaped on punctuation, so most places would probably reject for those reasons alone...(where's the en and em dashes when needed, ellipses are so five minutes ago... Plus there's the skimpy descriptions (which I've heard no one reads, but who knows?), excessive dialog, and a scary realization that I seem to be channeling David Eddings, and that rather badly... That raises legal issues; can a style be copyrighted? I'm still reading 'writing' books, looking for things to do differently (like showing not telling, but in all areas, the only consistent advice is inconsistency... I have someone actually reading the work (bless her heart), so I'll know in a few more weeks. A publisher wouldn't reject a work for poor punctuation alone. If the writing's good enough, they can easily get that corrected. But it'll make them less receptive at the first reading. It sounds as if you know what needs doing next to improve your work. You certainly need to do that before publishing in any form. Good luck! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
pakled
|
|
« Reply #16 on: July 09, 2012, 04:03:01 am » |
|
Reading. I don't know if I would wish proofing a 190-page (the average length of each one) novel on anyone... Still, that will come up in the future. I'll have to go back and do that at some point. I run it through the Word grammar and spell check, which rounds off most of the sharp edges (though some of the 'correct' usages just don't scan correctly, at least to the internal ear). Still, it's been fun so far. Thanks again to everyone, I'm hoping this has been helpful to others who are at the same stage as I... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
