Well, it's that time of year again. I can't believe this is my third January 01 post. It's kind of scary looking back at former goals and confessions now that I can track results.
2011 was an interesting year for me. I started off 100% on the track to pursue traditional publishing and half way through jumped rails into self/indie publishing. A couple things brought that on, besides the whole publishing is being turned on its head thing.
1) I had three books go out on submission and none sold.
2) My second agent and I decided to part ways.
Two pretty good reasons to give self-publishing a go.
So, after being in the do-it-yourself throes for half a year, what do I think? I think it's pretty exciting. And I think it's pretty hard.
But not so hard that I won't keep going. I went into it knowing I'd be learning as I went a long, starting from a foundation of knowing basically nil. Now I'm going into 2012 with a foundation of some knowledge, a better strategy and more realistic expectations. I feel like 2012 is opportunity for a do over. I'm not going to waste the first half of the year waiting for someone else to make something happen for me. And what I do do for myself, I'll do smarter.
This doesn't mean I'm done with traditional publishing. I'm still of the philosophy that diversification is a good idea.
If the first part of this post was my confession, this part is my goals.
1) continue to self-publish the Clockwise series
1b) learn how to better market and publicize myself and my books.
2) self-publish middle grade book, It's a Little Haywire
3) pursue traditional publishing with current wip
4) pursue small press pub with historical YA when its ready
I'll stop there. If I can manage these in the year I'll be happy.
How about you? Do you have publishing goals and confessions for 2012?
If you manage all that in a year I'll be awed. My goal is single-minded--finish my dark fairy tale and get it out there.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great New Year, Elle.
Tricia-Is it Sunday? Already this new year is rushing me! I thought this post would go up tomorrow, but it must be Sunday somewhere in the world. :)
ReplyDeleteBeing single minded is a lot less stressful, good for you!
Ha, I was wondering if I'd lost a few hours somehow! I totally agree on the not wasting time waiting for someone else's approval when it comes to writing goals. Good luck with all your projects in 2012.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMy goals are somewhat similar to yours, really - pursue indie publishing, small press publishing, AND traditional publishing, for three different projects. What can I say, I like to explore a broad range of experiences!
My non-writing goal is to finish the three quilts I have started for friend's babies and get them sent out before said babies start college!
These are very good, specific goals! I'm just trying to get another agent. That's all.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! For me 2012 is a year of change. Daughter graduates and is leaving home to go off to art school in another province. That is exciting and scary. My writing goal is to finish up two manuscripts this month and then sink myself into revisions. I want to try and find the balance in the writing and take it to a new level. I'm also going to try and follow agent blogs in an attempt to get to know them. I will focus on the traditional publishing for now. But right now it's all about the writing and only the writing! Vera
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! I think along with the confessions, you should have a section for "bragging". Cause you certainly got something to brag about, with this last year. What a corner turned with "Clockwise"- and all in the space of half a year!
ReplyDeleteFor myself, my publishing goal for this year is- to do some. And seeing as only three months ago, writing/publishing wasn't even on my radar, that's huge. Eeeep!
I'm pretty much doing what you're doing, Elle. A toe in all waters. Self pub another Cupcakes book. Shop my YA historical fantasy to small publishers and still, (currently,) agents. And work on more books in both series. Oh and then there's the day job... Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteshew! That is a good place to stop. That's a lotta goals--but you can do it. And best of luck to you! :o) <3
ReplyDeletePower to you girl! The key to success is never giving up and you've got that well in hand. And hmmm, historical YA, we'll have to chat...
ReplyDeleteI am waiting to hear from a publisher. She did let me know she was on holiday, and two others were ahead of me in her reading pile. I was about to give up and self-pub, so I will wait a little while and see what she comes up with. If not, I will have a go!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Writing Year, Elle.
I definitely can see you achieving all that this year, you're that focused and driven! Myself, giving my own novel a fair shot for publication. Short and simple! :)
ReplyDeleteMy 2012 goals are to release my 4th novel and to finish #5 for release next year. In addition to blogging and promoting. Never ends, does it?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals also!
Nancy ;)
Great goals. I wish you the best! My goal? Just keep writing. Just keep writing. :)
ReplyDelete