I haven't been on my blog in almost a week...i haven't been reading blogs, neither have i been commenting. Only aloted made me come out of my sabbatical when she said my attention was required on her blog. I was wondering what trouble i'd gotten into..lol. Turns out i didn't commit a sin afterall.
I've been Mega busy, writing and trying to concentrate so i decided to stay off blogging, and i actually succeeded. I think deadlines help me because when I dont have them, I just typically keep procrastinating. With deadlines though, I would still push till the last minute. Gosh I could win an award for being a 'crash worker'. *sighs*...wish there was an award for that.
I've been doing what i should do as a writer, and it's to write. I should be doing more though and I plan to. I was busy rewriting a script which I just finished. I've come up for some fresh air. I need to start working on something new, cant lose the steam. You know how good it feels to be paid for something you love doing? It feels so good...I won't even talk about that now.
So I have a publisher dilemma and I'm trying to decide what to do. I know some of you guys have published stuff or are in the process of doing so, I need your advice. I submitted to two of the high flying ones but nothing was forthcoming. I sent to a publisher in Ibadan sometime late last year and he only recently said I should send the rest of the book as they can't make up their minds based on the first three Chapters. It's been with them about 8 months now, and he said it might take another 9 months to reach a decision. *sighs*. I'm a bit skeptical about sending the whole manuscript but I know I'm not really experienced in this, so I want to ask, what do you guys think? Should i send it? Are there other publishing houses that will be willing to work with an unknown writer like me? Should I go the self publishing route? I don't want my manuscript to be another one that never sees the publishing daylight. I completed it over a year ago and I don't want to give up. I haven't been motivated to write any other long stuff cos I just want this one published!
Any ideas from you good people in the house? While I wait though, i will continue to write because that is what I love to do. I am a writer, I love to write. A writer writes!
PS: I just noticed this is my 100th post...it's interesting considering I've been blogging since 2006 though i used to be what you;d call a seasonal blogger..lol. So happy 100th post to me!
29 comments:
Numero uno :)
When Aloted left me that message I thought I was in trouble too!
Awwww it really must be amazing to get paid to do something you love doing, that's my prayer for myself as well.
Meanwhile I don't know if you should send them the whole thing or not :S
Do people ever do that? Hmmmm I think I'll leave this to people who know what they're talking about...But don't give up sweets okay?
x
you are not supposed to send them the whole script...they are supposed to decide from those chapters..but if they insist, see a lawyer first and write up a written agreement that they cant use any part of it if they decide not to publish you!
hi..just wanted to say i dont know anything about publishing..outside of blogger..thank you...lollllll
all the publishing best...
i missed u writefreak,glad ur doing somthn u love doin, in my own lil experience, i just dnt think it makes business sense to self-publish.
I'm sure the experts willbe able to advice... Total novice here unfortunately.. LOL
happy 100th post.....
cant advice cuz u fired me......... hehehehe
Writefreak, Oh dear, that sounds totally WEIRD mennnn! Lol.
Anyhooos, Me I dont know oooooo but Write on writer! Gosh I am uber hungryyyyyyyy!
XOXOXOXOXOXO
don't no nada about publishing either, but what I have, I'd give unto you..."may the good Lord send you HELP"...cheers
i was wondering where u were,howdy? happy 100th post ....
as per publishing, its a no!no!! for me but I shd expect their are guidelines both professionally n legally on dealing with publishers, check out the internet!
For me, I would say try small things here and there: submit to competitions, for anthologies, to magazines, etc. In a way to build up a personality that is you and improve your writing (now feels like I am preaching and saying what everyone says)...
And remember: a writer writes despite all. Keep writing...no one can take that from you!
Dear Write freak,
Do not give your whole manuscript to anyone without some form of written agreement... not the publisher in Ibadan and not anyone else.
The first 3 chapters is enough for them to know if they can do it.. then they will sign something to say they wont use any part of your book for themselves before you give the rest.
Otherwise you will find your book published under another title in a few years oh and there will be nothing you can do!
Yeah I know how it feels to do what you enjoy...its like getting paid for having fun...wow I am happy for you ma'am...
I ono alot about publishers yet but I think you should try FARAFINA [www.kachifo.com]or you could try Jude Dibia...if you don't know how to contact him if you're around for the next Writer's Anonymous in Ikoyi I could hook you up...
as per self publishing like mizcynic said...hmmmn I think you need tips from someone who has self published...hence once again I suggest you talk to Jude Dibia...last I checked, he self published his first book and it was a breakthrough...
Years ago, I gave a book to an editor to review and he was the one that told me of how my book/story can be easily taken and rewritten or published. I am kinda skeptical about the publisher in Ibadan asking to bring the rest of the book for them to make their decision. uhhhhh, not sure about that
uh uh uh, did you say script? will Nollywood act on that? will it be good a movie or good a story? uh uh, when will we see it
I wish you all the best....it takes discipline to start and finish a paragraph not to talk of a whole book. it takes grace too
I dunno anything about publishing oh,just tot to give u my best wishes,thanks for d sms.
i was sooo touched.have a great week
Happy 100th dear Write. Lets hope your next 100th wont take you another 3 years...wink*
I wish you luck with the publisher thing. Unfortunately I have no clue how it all works.
hmm
so sorry dont know anything on publishing, but i think us should go with chari to go see jude dibia, might help,
and then pls don't send ur manuscript or see a lawyer before u do okay
Hurray at d 100th post
ye! u reached 100 before me...?? kai!
lol..congrats girl...
dunno anything about publishing so sorry can't help there :(
did my message to come to my blog really sound scary?
lol..Writefreak and Lolia mind yourself o!
OK, dont know from experience but from a lawyers point of view (my sis) she advises that you copyright your manuscript before you send it out as a whole and that's if you really must.
Dont let the fire die out, kudos and all d best, so happy for ya
Me , I don't know anything about publishing o.
Like some people have said I am skeptical about just giving your whole manuscript to some publishers you don't know very well
I also believe you should look for people that are more experienced in publishing
Write freak the Writer!
Wishing you all the best
and HAPPY anniversary! 100th post! you've really come a long way,more grace! more interesting and edifying posts!
Cheers!
Happy 100th post, Writefreak!
I wouldn't send the entire manuscript either.
I am so thrilled that you have found yourself something that you love so much...that is a blessing!
Lolia: Thanks God we're not in trouble se? lol
leggy: hmm, ok, will consider that,thanks
simeone: thanks, am i forgiven?
miz-cynic: aww thanks...i missed being here too...i was thinking the same about business sense!
lifebydb: how can you call yourself a novice? with all the trust i put in you? DB you have disapppointed me o! lol
Funms: Me! Fired you? Well, stay fired then! lol
Temite: That even sounds weirder..you're always hungry jo! And how does that affect my writing skills? Mscheew...don't go and find food o! lol
justdoyin: awwww that is so sweeet! Amen!
downtheaisle: thanks darl, i'm right here! looking for info as we speak
Bookaholic: thanks for the tips and advice..yes a writer writes
Tyger: I hear you my friend! I hear you o!
Chari: You've been a blessing! Thanks a lot! Big hugs
naijagirl: yes nollywood uses scripts...i was acually rewriting one for a producer and there are opportunities in that line.
QMoney: you're welcome darling!
Scoops: Lol...It really shouldn't take 3 years
Optimistic: Chari is such a darling! Thanks a bunch
aloted: to think you introduced me to blogging, shame on you! lol...me i am such a committed blogger! Yeah right! So both of us should mind ourself our ourselves? lol
jhazmyn: thanks a bunch. Is it possible for you to help me find out how i can copywright my works?
Olufunke: Thanks darling, how're you? Amen to your prayers!
Wish i had some advice, but unfortunately I don't. Best of luck oh!
Here is my late comment.
First of all it is lovely you can do what you love. That's what everyone should. That way every job getting done in the world would have been done better don't you think?
Don't send them the rest of the manuscript. They can use it without your consent and fail to recognize the origin.
BTW what exactly do you mean by manuscript? Are you an author writing a book or what?
Everything you should do should involve contracts. Make sure you know your rights and make people respect them.
I don't know much about publishing but giving them the whole manuscript smells fishy.
You might need to get in touch with a legal adviser.
Are you a member of any author associations? ANA - Association of Nigerian Authors for instance. They can be of huge assistance.
I'm thinking of publishing some of my works soon but I've always thought along the lines of self publishing. Not sure how that works in this country sha.
Seeing as you're taking a go at this,I'll follow you closely as I'll be walking in your footsteps soon!
An experienced Publisher should be able to read the first chapter and know if this is a write-up that will make big money...
I have to look for this website and email to you that will give you ideas on how to package yourself and your product.
I promise to get back with you on that one...until then may God bring people that will help us (Amen)
hi...i concur on u concentrating when you dont blog when you dont log on the internet for that matter.
I sure know that feeling of doing stuff you'd do for free but getting paid...
My friend had that kinda of publishing issue and this time it was a foreign publisher, i adviced her against sending the whole script and i hope you didnt too.
9 months???what are they doing? setting up a panel?
i'd suggest a publishing house on my street...its small o...but i'm sure they'd get your work done for you...
cheers
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