Should I Look for an Agent or Self-Publish My Book?

Hi Valarie. Thank you so much. That's really interesting and insightful. Seems that so far self-publishing is turning out to be the most popular option. I know at some point I need to actually sit down and start writing the book. I guess I'm anxious that it's too big of a project and I won't get it right. But maybe all writers feel that way at some point. I'll certainly look for a writers group now I know such things exist. Thanks for the heads up about checking in with the library. May I ask just one more question? Do you plan and outline your books in advance, maybe what's going to happen in each scene and chapter, so you know what to write, or do you just start at the beginning and go through to the end? I'd like to plan it all first, I guess, but I wonder if that might stem the 'creative flow' if you see what I mean? Oh, and I felt pretty weird about that guy's advice (he's called Chris Fox and he's written loads of books and made loads of money it seems) but I felt like the 'copy what sells' might make financial sense but it's not very creative! Thanks again, you've been so kind.

@Borlotti Every author has their writing style. Some outline first so they know how it will work from beginning to end. I tried that. Didn't work for me. I start on page one and write to the last page. I also edit as I go. Minor editing. I do major editing when I finish the project. Don't forget that the most important part of writing is research. Even for romance books. You need to get your facts right. A member of my writer's group published a book a few years ago and didn't do the research on women's fashions for the era she wrote about and got it all wrong. So, even if you don't think you need to research something because it's fiction if you don't get it right, you won't get any sales. I'm working on a science fiction series. Even there, where most of what you write is total fiction and you can basically write whatever, it still needs research. I found an interesting fact from Albert Einstein related to the series I'm writing and was able to use that fact in my book. It adds authenticity to the story. I write in many genres - historical, mystery, and science fiction are the most prominent of my writing. I'm trying romance, but I don't like romance so this is way outside my box, but I need to prove to myself I can write it. The one I'm working on I call my problem child. Every family has a problem child, and authors do too. I write Christian fiction. So every story I write no matter what genre has a Christian aspect to it. I'm working on two books right now. One is science fiction, the other is a mystery, the sequel to the book I published last October - Thread of Evidence. Those who read it looked at me and said, You do have a sequel to this, right? Yes, and it's called Vendetta. It's coming along well. I hope to publish it next year.

@just4him Hi! Wow, what an amazing, detailed, and incredibly helpful contribution. Thank you so very much. I see what you mean about every writer having her own way of doing things, her own style. I hadn't really thought of it that way before. You know, I'd imagined that there was a "right" and "wrong" way to do it. I guess that's one of the reasons why I've been reading so many books recently, and blog posts, about how to write. Most of them definitely suggest planning everything out, writing a detailed outline of your novel before you begin. It sort of makes sense to me but I think I might try your way. So long as the characters are real in my imagination I reckon there's a good chance that the story will come out right even if I don't plan it too much ahead of time. But having said that, I've already got three notebooks full of ideas! I don't know if that helps or not. I like reading fantasy and romance best. I read a little bit of science fiction but not the sort that is heavily based on real science, more just adventure stories in space! I thought about writing a fantasy novel but it seems way too complicated and they have to be really, really long. The idea I have is for an historical romance, a Regency romance set in London during that time. I've never been to London and obviously I'm not from the Regency period, so everything will have to be researched, I guess. That was a great tip, because I thought that maybe I would have enough information just from having read like, maybe, 100 Regency romances already! It's amazing how many books you've already written and I think you're very brave to try and write a science fiction story, too. You've been so great to give so much time and information to help me. I really appreciate it. I hope you sell a ton of books!

Thank you so much, Amber! I hadn't got as far as thinking about covers yet. I'd assumed that when the books written I'd need to hire an editor and then pay a cover designer. But if I get and agent and the agent gets me a publisher then all of that is 'included' if you like, isn't it? So, if this isn't too cheeky a question, do you make a living writing and self-publishing on Kindle, doing everything yourself? I just get so many mixed messages and I know that if I self-publish my book and it doesn't work, then I won't ever get an agent to look at it. But thank you so much for replying. You're amazing! It's all food for thought.

@ScribbledAdNauseum I just checked out your Amazon page. You've written so many books and the covers look amazing!

@Borlotti I do believe it is all included if you get an agent. There is always paying an editor and a cover designer too, but I haven't gone that route yet. Oh and Pro Writing Aid. Get it! You can find coupon codes to make it cheaper but it's the editing software I use so I don't have to pay an editor. I am still working towards making a living doing everything myself but I believe I can get there. Honestly, i would suggest picking one of your favorite authors and seeing if you can find any interviews they've done. You might get some insight on what they've had to go through and why they chose self pub versus agent etc.

Aw, thanks, Ken. That's so kind! I'm enjoying it. Meeting some really interesting and generous-spirited folks.

@Borlotti Great! I have been here many years. I'm not very active because I have many interests but always check in every day for a few minutes.

@kanuck1 Well, Ken, I look forward to seeing you around and having another chat. You take care, now, right.

@Borlotti Welcome

Thank you, Ocean!

Hi Dena, thanks for sharing. It seems like there are a few published writers on here, for sure. A few have already been helpful with giving advice. Nice to meet you!

@Borlotti You are right if no one buys it then they do not read it unless it is on the computer and they have access to read it for free.

@Hannihar Hi Hanni. Yes, I've just been reading about how to market a self-published book. It looks like most people who self-publish books successfully plan to write more than one book; then they give away the first book for free hoping that people who like it will then go on to buy the next book. I don't know if I want to write more than one book, though, at this stage! Do you read books on the computer, Hanni, and do you get them fro free?

Hi Hanni, Thank you so much for your supportive words. There's no getting around the fact that at some point I must actually sit down and write the book! Thanks for sharing your experience self-publishing, too. And for your honesty about it. So many people seem to praise the idea, but when you look into it they haven't really sold many copies. Of course, not everyone's trying to make money. But if you don't sell copies of your book that means no one's reading it either, doesn't it? All food for thought!

Hi Judy! Thank you. You're very kind.

Hi Sam, Thank you so much for sharing! You're not the first person who has suggested that I should try agents first and then self-publish if that fails. I think a lot of people self-publish because they couldn't get a traditional publishing deal. Seems like both options are hard to win at. But still, I have to write my book first, maybe. Good luck with your book! What kind of book is it, if you don't mind me asking?