Sorry to go off like this, but to imply that vanity publishing is now called indie publishing and a little more respectful than it was is an insult to the hard work that independent authors (who are also publishers) do.

Tam

I’ve got your book on my to-be-read list, too. Looking forward to it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a considered response and for your encouragement.
A year on from when I wrote that piece, I agree. It might well have been better for me to have looked for another agent, or I could have sought advice from a literary consultancy. There’s still prejudice around works that are self-published – more so, I think, in the world of literary fiction than for genres such as romance.
Dappled Light has had some excellent reviews and enough readers have said that they love the book for me to feel that my instincts weren’t wrong in wanting to keep the basic structure. But I also agree with you that a good editor can be very helpful, and I’m sure my writing could be improved with guidance.
The truth is, I self-published because I could, and at the time that felt right. Self-publication has given me validation as a writer, but – despite selling hundreds of copies of Dappled Light – it hasn’t given me a profit, so it is not a route I would choose again.
Congratulations, Rosina, on your own success. I’m off tomorrow on a canal holiday and I’m planning to order one of your historical novels as soon as I get back.
all good wishes
Jessica

But you might have been surprised by the reaction from other possible agents. The fact that Tim saw so much potential in the manuscript raises the odds that other agents will want to have a look. A lot of agents these days are female, and it’s entirely possible that a female agent would have seen the value of the story the way you wrote it. You might have found (might still find, if you ever decide to pursue this) someone who is in tune with what you are trying to do.

I ‘ve gone the more traditional route. I have an agent who really believes in what I write — she’s sold ten novels to major houses for me — and I know she’s got my back. Many times she has solved problems that looked insurmountable to me, and she’s done that with a firm but graceful hand.

One more point about the traditional route: a good editor is an excellent thing. I have never run across a piece of work that wasn’t improved by a thoughtful, experienced editor. Some writers see editors as the enemy. I think that’s a shame, because an editor can save you from your own follies. Dog knows mine have done it for me more than once.

So I wish you best of luck with this novel and whatever else you write down the road, whatever way you decide to move ahead. But don’t give up yet on the idea of an agent. Because Tim didn’t get it doesn’t mean there’s not somebody else out there eager and able to lead you through the quicksand that is publishing.

Thank you Nicole, for your understanding and for buying my book. If when you’ve read it, there’s anything you’d like to discuss please do contact me.
Good luck with your own writing career – love your website!

In fact, I’ve purchased several books based on the narratives I’ve found on this site. What a great resource!

Thank you Lorraine. I’ve been looking at your website – congratulations on all that you’ve achieved!

Thank you Brigid for your kind comments. Have a very happy Christmas!

My own experience was much the same. I discovered, after years of pounding the traditional publishing pavement, that EVERYONE involved wants you to write a different story. There seem to be few who didn’t. And as a writer, particularly if you’ve taken the time to really learn the craft, enough to craft a thoughtfully plotted, beautifully rendered story with a compelling arc and great characters, you’re too often asked asked to sublimate your gut sense of things to reconfigure to THEIR gut sense of things. When you’re trying to create commerce for your book, it can get confusing, especially because there IS an art to sorting out what’s good critique (needed) and what’s them telling you to write their version of the story (very NOT needed!).

But ultimately you have to trust your gut and for those of us who did, the return is immeasurable. Mostly, it’s that you delivered the EXACT book you wanted and that, right there, is worth it all!

Good luck to you and thanks for reminding us all, once again, to listen loudest to your own voice!

It was fascinating to read how her very personal story developed. But for me, it was the last sentence that was by far the most powerful – my interpretation was if it’s the right decision for you, then it’s the right decision.

I’m convinced this piece will continue to enlighten others as it has done for me, and do so for a very long time to come.