Those of you that follow me on Facebook already know that I had a great meeting with Shadow Mountain Publishing on Friday. For those of you who DON'T follow my writing posts on Facebook, here's the four takeaway points:
1. They loved the idea behind Super Six. I pitched them the story, characters, and outline of the first novel, and they like it.
2. They said they will never be able to publish the Psion series.
3. BUT they said they'll send Beta and Gamma to a top-of-the-line agent they know at Writer's House and tell him to read it.
4. They want to publish Flight from Blithmore ASAP. They have a meeting with the national board on Wed. If it is approved, then Flight from Blithmore is HAPPENING (new cover and likely a new title). It'll be published as YA fantasy after I make some small tweaks. Characters ages staying the same.
So immediately after the meeting, what book do you think I started working on? Not Psion Alpha, but Flight from Blithmore. I'm getting that book to where Shadow Mt needs it to be to be able to sell it. That means for those of you who have bought it, there will be some big and small changes that happen if Shadow Mt does indeed pull the lever on Wednesday.
After these few changes are made, and I send it back to them, I'll be able to turn my attention to Psion Alpha and get it out hopefully November, but possibly December. But what happens after that?
Well, truthfully, Super Six will probably happen. Why? Because I know that a publisher is interested in it and wants it. My goal as a writer is not just to finish the Psion series, but to be able to support my family with my writing. And to do that, I have to write what I can sell to publishing companies. If a company swoops in and says "WE WANT PSION!" then I will definitely write more Psion books.
I'm not saying that Psion Omega is being put off indefinitely, but I'm saying it may not come out in 2014 like I hoped. It may be put off until 2015. I hate to say that. I hate to do it, but at the same time, I have to push for that goal of writing full time. Fortunately, I've got great fans who I know will understand. Self-publishing as a side business while working full time and raising 3 (almost 4) small kids and doing other stuff with church, etc keeps me dang busy. I'm lucky to have published 4 books in 3 years. I hope to keep up a similar pace. And I don't want to keep fans waiting for the THRILLING CONCLUSION of the greatest self-published series of all time.
Okay, that was a little over the top. But one more possible scenario to consider: Let's say my friends at Shadow Mt DO send Psion Beta and Gamma to an agent, and he DOES love it, and even sells the rights to the series to a major publisher. What if they pull all the books from sale and re-release them over the course of the next TWO YEARS? Doomsday? Possibly if you have to wait until 2016 to read Psion Omega.
Anyway, these are things to consider as my career (very much hopefully) transitions from self-published to publishing house.
1. They loved the idea behind Super Six. I pitched them the story, characters, and outline of the first novel, and they like it.
2. They said they will never be able to publish the Psion series.
3. BUT they said they'll send Beta and Gamma to a top-of-the-line agent they know at Writer's House and tell him to read it.
4. They want to publish Flight from Blithmore ASAP. They have a meeting with the national board on Wed. If it is approved, then Flight from Blithmore is HAPPENING (new cover and likely a new title). It'll be published as YA fantasy after I make some small tweaks. Characters ages staying the same.
So immediately after the meeting, what book do you think I started working on? Not Psion Alpha, but Flight from Blithmore. I'm getting that book to where Shadow Mt needs it to be to be able to sell it. That means for those of you who have bought it, there will be some big and small changes that happen if Shadow Mt does indeed pull the lever on Wednesday.
After these few changes are made, and I send it back to them, I'll be able to turn my attention to Psion Alpha and get it out hopefully November, but possibly December. But what happens after that?
Well, truthfully, Super Six will probably happen. Why? Because I know that a publisher is interested in it and wants it. My goal as a writer is not just to finish the Psion series, but to be able to support my family with my writing. And to do that, I have to write what I can sell to publishing companies. If a company swoops in and says "WE WANT PSION!" then I will definitely write more Psion books.
I'm not saying that Psion Omega is being put off indefinitely, but I'm saying it may not come out in 2014 like I hoped. It may be put off until 2015. I hate to say that. I hate to do it, but at the same time, I have to push for that goal of writing full time. Fortunately, I've got great fans who I know will understand. Self-publishing as a side business while working full time and raising 3 (almost 4) small kids and doing other stuff with church, etc keeps me dang busy. I'm lucky to have published 4 books in 3 years. I hope to keep up a similar pace. And I don't want to keep fans waiting for the THRILLING CONCLUSION of the greatest self-published series of all time.
Okay, that was a little over the top. But one more possible scenario to consider: Let's say my friends at Shadow Mt DO send Psion Beta and Gamma to an agent, and he DOES love it, and even sells the rights to the series to a major publisher. What if they pull all the books from sale and re-release them over the course of the next TWO YEARS? Doomsday? Possibly if you have to wait until 2016 to read Psion Omega.
Anyway, these are things to consider as my career (very much hopefully) transitions from self-published to publishing house.
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