tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post5058834454854076208..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Publish or Perish? Part OneJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-44169612615908760372023-10-29T08:48:18.104+10:002023-10-29T08:48:18.104+10:00Such a great article, informative, comprehensive a...Such a great article, informative, comprehensive and very helpful for writersLynne Lloyd-Editornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-92124381136066261892014-08-25T13:49:39.673+10:002014-08-25T13:49:39.673+10:00Thanks Lynne :)Thanks Lynne :)Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-39058512191527409012014-08-25T13:10:32.954+10:002014-08-25T13:10:32.954+10:00Good job, Jenny! :-) Yes, it's a hard road whe...Good job, Jenny! :-) Yes, it's a hard road when you're trying to get published. Don't give up!Lynne Stringerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03482326578634252234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-76155450489643382712014-08-25T12:26:57.062+10:002014-08-25T12:26:57.062+10:00Thanks Brian. Yes, I think knowing why we want to ...Thanks Brian. Yes, I think knowing why we want to publish and realising that there are different ways to get our writing out there helps us think through the issues. Good on you for getting the traditional publisher for your work. Wishing you success in this. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-37979242279505339542014-08-25T12:23:04.446+10:002014-08-25T12:23:04.446+10:00Thanks Lesley. Well done on your three book contra...Thanks Lesley. Well done on your three book contract - I enjoyed reading more about that journey on Iola's blog. <br /><br />I think you absolutely right - we need to read the contract very carefully and, ideally, get someone with legal expertise in this area to look it over. This is where an agent can help and/or writing organisations like the State Writing groups (Queensland Writers Centre) and ASA (Australian Society of Authors). One of the things that can trip people up is the reversion rights - at what point and under what conditions the rights revert to the author. I have heard horror stories of authors whose books are virtually out of print or was never published but they can't do anything with it because they signed over rights that don't revert back in these situations. Another author published 2 books with one publisher and then went with another publisher when the first wasn't going to publish the third book. The third book did well but she can't access the first 2 books even though they are virtually out of print because of ongoing e-book sales. She would love to publish them in a boxed set but can't do this either. <br /><br />I think Jesus' words apply 'Be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.' Mt 10:16<br />Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-45057036520916331212014-08-25T12:12:14.331+10:002014-08-25T12:12:14.331+10:00Hi Rita, You are right, it can be very discouragin...Hi Rita, You are right, it can be very discouraging. And agreed, perseverance is vital to both the writing and the Christian life :)<br /><br />As for myself, I'm hoping to go the traditional route but am also considering self-publishing if that doesn't happen within a certain time frame. Often the advise I hear is skewed by the source - traditional publishers sometimes pour scorn on indie-publishing and Indie publishers are just as dismissive of the traditional route. I think there are benefits and drawbacks on both sides of the equation. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-3684395018336743012014-08-25T12:06:40.842+10:002014-08-25T12:06:40.842+10:00Thanks Anusha :) I'm hoping too so appreciate ...Thanks Anusha :) I'm hoping too so appreciate your good wishes. Wishing you success in publishing as well. God bless.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-62944434687686443522014-08-25T11:57:20.115+10:002014-08-25T11:57:20.115+10:00Hi Jeannette,
I love this post and think that it w...Hi Jeannette,<br />I love this post and think that it will benefit many people who are writers but don’t know the publishing industry. It is a great overview. <br />I loved how you talked about the different motives for writing and for wanting to find a publisher. Writing is one thing that (as you say) can be shared in a variety of ways now. I’m so glad you mentioned this. Not everything we do or aim for should be to be published, but there are times when we feel strongly we have something to say. (This is what happened to me and it took me 5 years to find a traditional publisher) There is so much info in the blog. Well done. Looking forward to your next one.<br />Brian Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14520931759153400519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-24767040685301969442014-08-25T11:42:50.188+10:002014-08-25T11:42:50.188+10:00Great post Jenny. Lots of useful information. I wa...Great post Jenny. Lots of useful information. I was published by a traditional publisher being offered a contract for three books - the first two published 2005 and 2009. (1 more to go) My contract states that they have first right of refusal for my first three manuscripts. Ken and I got a lawyer to look at the contract and explain anything that we didn't understand. I know it can be a bit expensive to go this route but it is worth it in the long run if you can manage it. There is so much to take in on these contacts and it's quite daunting for a first time author. Looking forward to your next installment. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01931608632876961722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-1843847838374119522014-08-25T11:40:55.325+10:002014-08-25T11:40:55.325+10:00The more that's out there on the pros and cons...The more that's out there on the pros and cons the more it helps writers starting out. Thanks Jeanette, discouragement can really put up a road block when aspiring writers believe that publishers are eagerly waiting to read their work. We all just have to keep on keeping on. After all, that's what the Christian life is all about, isn't it? <br /><br />I'm curious, which publishing model are you hoping to go with?Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-48987219281011293712014-08-25T11:08:21.597+10:002014-08-25T11:08:21.597+10:00Great post Jenny. And very informative too. I like...Great post Jenny. And very informative too. I liked the way you laid out all the pros and cons of traditional publishing. I confess that despite many rejections I am still hoping that I will eventually be noticed by a traditional publisher. <br /><br />I also liked the way you shared all the important things to consider in our writing - why we write for one. I think that's so important myself.<br /><br />Well done for a very readable and informative blog! May you find your trilogy on a bookshop shelf one day in the near future! I wish you every success.Anushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17508779195790570276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-66675552705586097292014-08-25T09:58:47.809+10:002014-08-25T09:58:47.809+10:00Thanks Paula.
Great point about the shelf-life o...Thanks Paula. <br /><br />Great point about the shelf-life of books. Bookshops have only so much room on their shelves and need to find room for new titles. I guess it's a bit like the cinemas, most movies are screened for a few weeks, blockbusters may be screened for longer while small niche films may only get one or two screenings - depending in part on demand. <br /><br />And on another note, I have enjoyed reading your blogs Paula - always thought provoking like your books - but I do look forward to another Paula Vince novel if and when there is one in the making (no pressure lol). It's true though isn't that God uses a variety of media and forms to touch people's lives. After all, your namesake Paul - never wrote a book, just a bunch of letters to churches and co-workers and look at the impact those letters have had! <br /><br />Wishing you the best with all your writing endeavours.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-50112706419362306652014-08-25T09:42:03.572+10:002014-08-25T09:42:03.572+10:00Thanks Nola. That's a good point about sending...Thanks Nola. That's a good point about sending material out before it's ready. It can seem long a long wait but praying that with persistence and perseverance God will eventually open the doors and find a home for our work All the best with your novel. :) Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-66768014696165781302014-08-25T08:38:57.307+10:002014-08-25T08:38:57.307+10:00Hi Jenny,
This is a great post that everyone shoul...Hi Jenny,<br />This is a great post that everyone should take on board. To add to the picture painted by your description of the book shop shelves, we were once told by staff that most of them have a shelf life of only six months, as it's such a busy industry with more titles appearing all the time. I was amazed to think that even once our books have reached the goal of getting to this prime spot, their time there is often limited. We definitely need lots of persistence to keep going.<br />I like your reminder that there are different ways of getting our books out there. I've been enjoying blogging and writing book reviews just as much as writing fiction these days, and reminding myself that if it's encouraging and informative, it's all one and the same.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-47076155272053806882014-08-25T07:09:02.271+10:002014-08-25T07:09:02.271+10:00Wow, what a comprehensive post. Thanks for that J...Wow, what a comprehensive post. Thanks for that Jenny. I'm aiming for traditional publishing at the moment, but it's good to be aware of just how difficult that process is. I really like your point about not cutting corners. It can seem like a long wait, but if you send material out before it's ready, it will most likely be rejected and you've "done your dash" with that publisher or agent. Good on you for your persistence. I'm looking forward to Part 2.Nola Passmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08425394685430146759noreply@blogger.com