Monday, June 30, 2008

Just Wondering



As I have said before, I have written a novel. I've written lots of parts of other novels, but one which is complete and for which I found an agent who helped me edit it but she never sold it. The book is set in Apalachicola, Florida, and is about a waitress named Rose.

I had originally titled the book The Yearning Heart of Apalachicola Rose, but the agent advised me that that sounded too Romance Novelish, so she wanted me to change it to just plain old Apalachicola Rose so I'm not really sure what the title is.

I am thinking (seriously, just thinking) about putting it up in the form of a blog. Not this blog. It would be another. And it would possibly be serialized. A chapter at a time or so. Maybe just a certain number of pages a week.

I'm just tossing ideas around.

And I'd like to see if I could actually make a teeny bit of money in the process. Now, I'm not sure how that would work. Quite possibly, I'd just go with ads on the site. Yes, shameful, but hellfire, I spent years writing that novel and years rewriting it and why not?
So what I'm asking here is, does this sound crazy? Would anyone be interested in it?
Should I post a few pages, see what sort of feedback I get?
Any suggestions?

And who knows? I might get back into this book and just re-start the damn, excruciating process of trying to find a different agent.

I don't know what I'm doing, obviously, but right now I'm just throwing ideas in the air and seeing where they land.


And to give credit where credit is due, please click here to go to the web site of Richard Bickel who took that beautiful photograph.

15 comments:

  1. Yes, that seems like a good idea to me. I even googled the concept and there is much affirmation on the subject. And don't apologize for including ads on the blog. Putting ads on a random personal thoughts kind of blog is a bit of a put-off but if the purpose of a blog is to slow release a novel that you are hoping to eventually get published, that is very understandable. Be sure to explain your intention and a brief synopsis in the blog description.
    Including shots of JLo's behind with each chapter may be a good idea too.

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  2. I agree...the distribution of music, film, and books has changed so much thanks to the computer. Distributing/marketing your book this way therefore might be a good idea. I'd research how to do it first, but you might be on to something!

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  3. Devil's Advocate says don't give away the farm. Research new representation? That said, Stephen King published online so it must work.

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  4. Aucilla- you just can't get your mind off J-Lo's rump can you? Well, I understand.
    Mike- yeah. I need to research. Ech. I hate research. But if Aucillasinks says he can google the idea, I suppose I can too.
    Jancho- have you ever tried to find "representation?" It's a soul-killer in every way. But, yes, maybe I should do that. Stephen King knows damn well he can get published, even if he gives the goods away for free, which he can afford to do on a whim and a whimsy.
    I need to think about this.
    But I thank all of you for your opinions.

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  5. Juancho has been published so in my mind his devils comments have more creed than my J-Lo's comments. And he has representation too, I know his pimp personally.

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  6. I'm thinking. . . I'm sort of with Juancho on not giving away the farm, but on the other hand, I'm dying to read it! Why not SELL it as an ebook with your own website (not blog)? Give away a couple of chapters and then sell the rest of the book for $_______?

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  7. Sorry I'm late to the party, I can't comment at work anymore.
    If this was a music thing and I was helping I would say, give us a taste and see if there is interest. If you can track the numbers it could be used as leverage for a new agent and a deal.
    Mostly though... I just want to read it.

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  8. I read the book and it is so good I want to read it again. I think.. I don't know, Mama. Are there any fabulous agents out there reading your blog who might want to represent you? hmmmm? Anyone?

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  9. I don't know what to tell you. I'd love to read your novel, but you may be giving up any hope of having it printed (and making any money from it) if you post it.

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  10. Well, you've all given me something to think about. We shall see.
    I really do appreciate everything y'all have said. If anyone else has anything to add, please chime in.

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  11. You should let Lon and I record a book on tape for you with music in the background and sell it for just under a zillion dollars or whatever the going rate is for a book on tape and self publish it. You could have SUCH a good time coming up with a publishing house name.

    My first two cents. Love you dear. *Mwa!*

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  12. I am wondering, could you require email addy's from your readers?
    Any info you show to potential buyers is ammo.
    If a ton of people read it maybe the add revenue will be enough dough to make it worth it.
    If you had a hit without a publisher would have more control when they come knocking.
    Jes spit balling. Scary idn't it?

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  13. Oh, Lizzie! You spoke! So nice to hear your voice!
    And well, that's not a bad idea. Especially the part about a zillion dollars. Tee! Hee!
    Brother WB- it IS scary. That book is like my child. And we all know how I feel about those children.

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  14. Hmmm...I would love to read it. But if it were me, I would probably look for another agent first. Are there agents who maybe specialize in internet marketing and such? Many authors today are bloggers too, surely their needs differ from straight print production. Just a thought, I really have no knowledge of such things...but if you need a copy editor... :) {although it seems as thought your family is an excellent resource for that}
    Enjoy your day!

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.