Getting published is difficult.

[thelake]

So I met a publisher and a sci-fi author yesterday. I've been in contact with some people for a while now, but yesterday I met them. I've sent the manuscript for one of my novels to the publisher and he refered me to his friend, the sci-fi author. The novel I'm talking about is here. Click if you're interested, but it's all in Turkish, so yeah... I think this one is the most well received piece of writing I have ever done and I'm proud of it.

First and foremost, nobody's publishing my book YET, but it was a very informative and enjoyable meeting.

The publisher didn't read my book because it wasn't his area of interest both personally and professionally, but the author friend read it and he told me he loved it ♥ I'm talking about 60+ year old people and if they like what I write, there might be some hope :))

The most important thing I learned about getting published is: when it's easy, it's expensive; when it's cheap, it's difficult. Basically, if you are a nobody like me, nobody would blindly want to publish you. You either have to have a literary agent (which is a very rare concept in our country) or you have to have ~connections OR you have to write REALLY GOOD. I'll probably choose the literary agent option, but it'll cost me which turns all this publishing mambo jambo into a solid investment situation.

I believe I am writing fairly better than any writer in my genre which is again very rare in Turkey and that's why publishers are hesitant to publish local writers. Twilight and all that jazz sells A LOT in Turkey, but when it comes to Turkish sci-fi/fantasy writers, the numbers are really low. I don't know, maybe it's because Turkish writers tend to complicate their subject or end up writing about politics in everything and as a result, it doesn't appeal to the teen and young adult demographic. I mean, some publishers still think ~supernatural is stupid, but IT SELLS, DAMMIT.

I'll try to submit the manuscript to several other places without paying anything, but the vibe I got is not very pleasant, I have to admit that... In order to sell your book in our country, you either have to be a sensational paparazzi material or a politician OR someone who is bashing a politician.

Let's talk about the amount of money you can make from publishing a book...

I am not in this for money. I am very well aware that I cannot depend my life on selling books, and I'm okay with that. I already have a job and I'm planning on doing that until I am very very old, because the publishing system works like this:

My book is 160 pages long, 50K+ words and if I want some publisher to publish my book without any risks, I might as well pay 2000 bucks and make it happen. Okay, let's say I did it with or without paying anything; I can either sell the publishing rights at once (which is AGAIN VERY RARE and I have no idea how much they pay) or they pay me money for the number of books they're planning to publish and give me AT MOST 10% of the money that books will supposedly make.

Let's say my book will be sold from 10 bucks, they bought the rights to publish 3000 copies. It makes 30.000 bucks in theory and all I get will be 3000 bucks. For 3000 books. So in theory, I can sell my books online for 1 lira and still make the same money if I can sell 3000 books that way.

All in all, I won't earn any money, but I will be a published author in the end. I think that's what matters the most :) It's a lot like carrying a baby for 9 months, gaining all the weight, not being sure of how to raise a kid or how you'll lose all that weight, but still wanting to hold that baby in your hands.

Moms all around the world: Thanks for using our struggles as a convenient metaphor for your lame publishing journey. Hate you very much.

I still feel like I don't have enough information. I should contact the agency and ask for their help.

Have you ever made an attempt to get published? I know there are a lot of writers in my friends list. We're all from different countries, but whatever, share! :D

Comments

[cancoydu.livejournal.com]

So in theory, I can sell my books online for 1 lira and still make the same money if I can sell 3000 books that way.

Damn. From this perspective, it's even more ridicilous money.

[thelake.livejournal.com]

Yok anacım bu işte para falan DAAA işte insan o kadar yazdım, ölmeden bir kitabım olsun diyor :))

[cancoydu.livejournal.com]

Yeeesss, burada kitapligina koymak isteyenler de var, hani cocuklarina BAK BEN BUNUN YAZARINI TANIYORUM BILIYOR MUSUN! Falan. That is something makes it worth aslinda.

[thelake.livejournal.com]

Yessss ♥ Neyse, bakalım, kısmet. Agency'le iletişime geçerim bir ara. Adam bana görüşelim, yerimiz Moda'da, buyrun gelin demişti (benim de Moda'ya geçmeye ne zamanım var ya!) de ben müsait olduğumda arayayım tekrar demiştim (gerçi ne dediğimi hatırlamıyorum bile, kabalık etmiş bile olabilirim LOL). Onunla tekrar iletişime geçerim.

Hayır anneme bunu anlattım, "AAA PARASI NEYSE VERİRİZ YAWWW" dedi, manyak kadın =)) Ben tereddüt ediyorum, utanıp sıkılıyorum :P

[cancoydu.livejournal.com]

=)))) awww! O da tamam iste dude utanip sikilacak birsey de degil ki, sen ben yazar olacam dedin, ve kitabini yazdin. Cok da guzel oldu. E gerisinde sartlarin gerektirdikleri seni rahatsiz etmemeli. You're doing what you can dooo :X:X

[katayla.livejournal.com]

WARNING. I'M GOING TO SOUND LIKE A KNOW IT ALL. FEEL FREE TO IGNORE.

I know a fair amount about publishing here. There are some differences, of course, but it sounds like there are similarities, too. I wouldn't advise an American writer to go the self-publishing route. It's a lot of work and not much pay off for the vast majority of people. It's rare for someone to want to buy your book, but, if they do, they'll do all the work of making it the best it can be, the marketing, etc.

I mean, I know the self-publishing route is temping and maybe it's different there . . . but you likely won't make any money AT ALL. Like, to use your example, if they pay you for 3000 books, you get to keep that money, no matter what happens. It doesn't matter if the books actually sell. That's their loss, not yours. (Wellll, they're unlikely to buy another book from you. But still! You'll have that 3000 bucks!) But if you self-publish, you only get the money if you actually sell a book. And there are some great self-publishing stories out there right now, but they're sooooooooo rare. Most people aren't going to take a risk on an independent author. And, again, you're doing a LOT of work if you self-publish. Much more than just writing.

Also, be careful about putting your work online. I don't know how much this applies in Turkey, but in America, that means you gave up first publishing rights, which publishers don't like.

And, um, I apologize for sounding like a know it all! And, again, this is about American publishing. I can dig up some articles about this if you're interested.

And, of course, do what you feel is best. ♥

[thelake.livejournal.com]

You do not sound like a know it all! ♥

ut in America, that means you gave up first publishing rights, which publishers don't like.

It's not that important in Turkey as far as I know. I keep telling people that I've been publishing my work online for at least 5 years and nobody said anything negative. They even think it's pretty cool.

And, again, this is about American publishing.

I've read so much about publishing in America, it's insane. It's actually sad how much I know about publishing in the USA than in my own country. I wish there were more resources for Turkey but , publishing is not a very strong area of work here. That's why I'm contemplating on doing it.

And you're right, going for the self publishing is too much hassle for me (both money and effort wise) and I really don't want that. I mean I am working in a full-time job and I don't have time for all that stuff.

if they pay you for 3000 books, you get to keep that money, no matter what happens

Yes! That's true and that's why it makes more sense in the long run.

Thanks for the info and opinions on this ♥

[katayla.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I'm glad I didn't sound like a know it all!

And I can't believe I forgot to say it . . . GOOD LUCK! It's awesome the author friend loved it!

[thelake.livejournal.com]

Thank you! ♥ :D It was really great to hear a complete stranger telling me he loved my work. I've received so many good comments online, but this was still different :))

[thelake.livejournal.com]

OH HEY, KATIE, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY!

My phone just reminded me. Fail. It's 3pm *facepalm*

Well, it wasn't 31st when we were talking this morning so it's still not too late!
Living in the future pays off at last!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ♥

[katayla.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh! And now I forget to respond to this!

THANK YOU!!!!!

[aftersix.livejournal.com]

I haven't made an attempt yet because I haven't finished any original novel :P But I already work as a freelancer in a publishing company, and my father has a friend in another publishing company, so I think I already have the necessary connections :X

[thelake.livejournal.com]

Dude, you seriously need to finish one and get published already!

[aftersix.livejournal.com]

Working on it. I have one like 40% there XD