At tonight's meeting a Guild member came up with what I felt was quite a unique idea. He proposed self-publishing his book, then attempting to market it through traditional publishing channels; ie getting an agent or an editor to pick it up.
His idea raised some interesting questions. Initially I wondered why he would go through the self-publishing process when his work has good merit; he could undoubtedly be published traditionally in my opinion.
That being said, his idea is a rather unique one and could work. Nothing ventured, nothing gained? In his hand would be a nearly complete project. I say nearly complete because as another member remarked, he would need to be open to suggestions and possible editing or be viewed as unyielding in his ideas and then who would want him as a possible client!?
Thinking outside the box has become a rather trite phrase, and annoying at times. But it causes creative growth when we step outside our comfort zones; when we become willing to risk. Risk our time. Risk our financial resources. Risk our egos being deflated.
I could probably do some research to learn how many authors have been published the first time they sent a manuscript out. Off the top of my head I can think of only one, Sandra Kring, a fellow Wisconsinite who's novel Carry Me Home was the quickest start I've ever heard of! There may be more, but probably not too many more. Even mega-hits such as Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series took some time to get off the ground.
So where's the harm in attempting something new? Is rule-bending so horrible?
In the future perhaps you'll be hearing the rest of the story.
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