The path to publication has been a circuitous one, to say the least. I haven't traveled down the trail I had first set out upon at all. Instead, I've wandered, I've dawdled, I've started anew, I've strayed quite far, I've tried to follow the crowd, and I've let the road take me where it wanted.
I imagine I'm not alone; however, I've often felt as if I am.
I started writing my novel, "The Clearwater House," a long, long time ago. I can't even recall how I managed to keep working at it over the years, a little here, a little there, until I finally had a completed first draft. I've amended it many times over the years, and I could probably keep changing things in it forever, but at some point, you have to say that enough is enough.
I tried regular, and perhaps more credible, channels of publication from time to time, but I felt like I was beating my head against a door that said "INACCESSIBLE to little peon teachers from the middle of nowhere." So, I essentially gave up on finding an agent like I'd always planned and imagined my writing career would have. I was very sad and also disappointed in myself because I do believe that I have talent as a writer, but I couldn't get those with the power to help me to see that, I guess.
Honestly, though, I don't have nor have I ever had a lot of time to really chase agents. I also feel like I'm shooting in the dark because how am I really supposed to know if an agent is right for me based on an article in a writing magazine or from an online profile? In addition, I get a bit fed up with people who won't reply to my submissions unless they are interested in representing me. Seriously, a little feedback would be nice. Why didn't you like my work? What exactly about it didn't appeal to you? Are you simply too bogged down with the work of those you already represent, or was my work that horrible that you refused to touch it? I simply don't know because you won't reply to me!!!
For five years I've been writing a bi-monthly column called "Novel Thoughts" for The Norfolk Daily News, and due to my connection with that newspaper and its editors, I approached them with the idea of publishing my novel in a serialized fashion. They graciously and enthusiastically jumped at the idea, so for one year, readers were allowed to read my book a chapter at a time as it was updated each week online.
I was astounded at the praise and positive feedback I got from the readers. Many of them contacted me wanting to purchase the novel, but I had to tell them that it wasn't available in print anywhere. Naturally, I really wanted it to be available, so I did contact a few more agents, but I had no takers.
Once the year of serialization through the newspaper was up, I decided to publish via Amazon Kindle even though I'm not much of an e Reader reader myself. I did it because it was free for me. I don't want to pay to publish my book even though I want to see it in print. After all, my overall goal is to make a living as a writer, or at least a little bit of money, and paying to publish my work negates that very intent.
Through Kindle, I've sold a few copies, but only a few. Most people still prefer and want an actual physical copy of a book when they are reading, so I kept being asked where they could buy the actual book. I had to keep answering that it was only available on Kindle, and I got tired of hearing "I don't have a Kindle," or "I don't like to read on tablets," or many other reasons as to why the person wasn't going to buy my book on Kindle.
Another writer friend suggested that I use Create Space to make my book available through print-on-demand publishing. I was a little skeptical as to the quality of the finished product and also to my ability to set it all up, but my desire to have a physical copy of my book out there for people to buy and hold and read won out over my skepticism, and I decided to go for it.
It didn't take all that long to set the book up since I've had the finished novel saved for years, but formatting it caused me a little stress and a few do-overs. I probably spent longer on my cover because it was important to me to include the photo of my ancestors' house that once stood in rural Clearwater.
People often ask if the book is non-fiction, then, since the cover contains a photo of a real, yet long gone, house. No, the story is complete fiction. Only the setting of Clearwater and its rural environs is real.
I've written other novels during the many years since I first started "The Clearwater House." I plan to use Create Space to set them up for publication as well when I can find the time to do some final edits first.
If some agent somehow, someday notices my work and decides to come knocking on my door or sends me an email, then maybe I'll still get a chance at publishing my books through a more reputable source. Until then, however, I'll be happy for any sale, and I'll extend a big hug -- whether it be a virtual one or an in-person one -- to anyone who buys and reads my book.
Over the years I've spent trying to establish myself as a writer, there have been two people who have grown and changed right along with my writing. Those are my children, both of whom are all grown now. I always meant to become an author when they were young and then stay home and write and have the flexibility to be there for them at the drop of a hat. Life, though, had other plans for me, so here I am still trying to make a go of writing as a career, and they have grown up to be gifted and talented people in their own rights. One is a wonderful coach, and the other will be a fantastic scientist in a few years.
I will never give up on my dream of being a respected writer, and I hope they will never give up on their dreams, no matter what they may be. Because I'm blessed with them as my children, I have dedicated my first print-available novel to them. I love writing and reading so very much, but I love Trevor and Samantha even more.
To anyone reading this who also reads or has read my novel, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy reading! (This novel is available for purchase on Amazon Kindle or in print form through Amazon or Create Space.)
