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   Asakiyume (asakiyume@wandering.shop)'s status on Monday, 20-Jan-2025 03:02:41 JST Asakiyume

   #WritersCoffeeClub 19 Dec: Did you find a way through the maze of traditional publishing to get your book published? What's your secret?

   Most published writers I know, incl. myself, have a combo of indie-press published stuff & self-published stuff.

   I've had only one acquaintance who went from aspiring writer to successful Big Four published writer. She worked her tail off and tailored her writing to what the market wants. (1/x)

   • Embed this notice
     Charlie Stross (cstross@wandering.shop)'s status on Monday, 20-Jan-2025 03:03:40 JST Charlie Stross

     in reply to

     @asakiyume Tor.com is not an indie publisher: it's an internal startup within Macmillan, spun off of Tor itself (originally indy but acquired by Macmillan over 25 years ago) to explore new publishing models. Tor.com and Tor share editorial staff and production facilities—marketing and contracts are distinct. (Source: I'm published by both those imprints.)

   • Embed this notice
     Asakiyume (asakiyume@wandering.shop)'s status on Monday, 20-Jan-2025 03:03:41 JST Asakiyume

     in reply to

     #WritersCoffeeClub 19 Dec, con't.

     (re: Ann Leckie, I didn't realize that Orbit wasn't independent--it's part of Hachette Group. So--good for her!)

     One person whose success really cheers me is Amal El-Mohtar. THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR, by her and Max Gladstone, came out from Tordotcom, a large indie publisher, and became a best seller. And she's had a subsequent book after that--THE RIVER HAS ROOTS. (3/4)

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     Asakiyume (asakiyume@wandering.shop)'s status on Monday, 20-Jan-2025 03:03:42 JST Asakiyume

     in reply to

     #WritersCoffeeClub 19 Dec (con't)

     I've also known several people who published with a Big Four publisher, had modest success, and then were dropped, or who signed with a Big Four publisher and had their publishing date pushed away and away and away, or who signed and then the editor left and the orphan book came out with no publicity.

     [Oh wait: I know more than one person who got success w/a Big Four publisher, and did it without tailoring her work to the market: Ann Leckie!] (2/x)

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     Asakiyume (asakiyume@wandering.shop)'s status on Monday, 20-Jan-2025 03:43:18 JST Asakiyume

     in reply to

     • Charlie Stross

     @cstross Ooh noooo, my illusions are crushed. Okay--thanks! I will correct the post (something I can do here on Mastodon; love that functionality)