Well, I got another badge of honor today in my course to become a published author (i.e., a rejection letter from a publisher). They acknowledged that I am a good writer and I have significant writing skills, but my material is not what they are looking for as of right now for their marketing strategy. They encouraged me to keep submitting my work to other publishers who may have a better fit for my unique style and content. I appreciate their feedback and will continue to persevere in my journey towards becoming a published author, knowing that each rejection brings me one step closer to finding the perfect match for my writing.
Out of 10 publishers so far, I have gotten 4 rejections. And it takes about 10 publishers to get the one that will take your work and publish it. I remain determined to find the right publisher for my writing.
I guess it's all part of the journey. Receiving this rejection letter only motivates me to keep pushing forward and finding the right publisher who appreciates my unique style and story. I am determined to keep pursuing my dream of becoming a published author.
Fortunately, I have a friend who I helped edit and format for publication and who is one of my recommendations. By lending my expertise, I was able to help them bring their work to publication. Having a recommendation from someone I previously assisted in the publishing process is reassuring and validates the potential of my writing. It's reassuring to know that there are people in the industry who believe in my potential and are willing to vouch for me. I am determined to continue honing my craft and seeking out opportunities that align with my writing style and vision.
Right now, I am looking for the right publisher to publish my book. So, I am sending this post off to see if I can get someone who knows the genre far better than I am to help me out in finding a publisher who will be interested in my work.
Hopefully it will find the right pair of eyeballs to help me find the publisher that fits this book's genre and style, and I can go to print. I am confident that, with the right support, my book will find success in the publishing world.
Though I am still in the game, I might as well hype up my book to see if anyone is interested in my Sword and Spaceship style of book. The Sword and Spaceship genre of Science fiction has been showing up now and then in the SF literary community, but I have been trying to find the right publishing house to release the book. Even reviewing their current lists of upcoming releases on the various publisher webpages, I do not know what they currently have in the pipeline that they haven't posted online.
I wrote a book that has a unique and exciting blend of action, adventure, and science fiction elements. There is a lot of this Star Wars stuff floating around, but no one has really tapped into bringing back that early feel of the Barsoom Books by Edgar Rice Burroghs and the pulp science fiction of the early 20th century. I believe that my story has the potential to capture that same sense of nostalgia and excitement that the readers of those books loved as they were growing up. With the recent success of Dune on the Big Screen, Dune was the last real book that created a vibrant world of politics behind the scenes of the sword duels. You had the epic battles, but also the mechanics of what was going on behind the scenes. The drama that happened with the characters and their motivations was incredibly captivating.
I believe that my unique blend of sword-fighting and futuristic elements will captivate readers who enjoy both fantasy and science fiction genres. With its thrilling plot and well-developed characters, my book has the potential to become a standout addition to the literary world. I am excited to share my work with publishers who appreciate innovative storytelling and are open to taking risks with new voices in the industry. The Sword and Spaceship genre has had a few good stories pop up over the years, but right now, if you were to search for those titles, you would find a limited selection of books and authors (272 novels on Amazon so far with those specific words as a search criteria). However, there are still many untapped opportunities for new and exciting stories in this genre, as the books that make up the rest have strong reviews of 3 1/2 stars and up. This suggests that there is still room for growth and innovation in this genre.
Let me know what you think of the description below so that I can get some feedback to see where I can better target this book and reach my target audience. I am looking for some feedback on what experiences my fellow writers and authors have gone through in their journey towards publication. I would love to hear about their struggles and successes in the publishing industry. If they have any insights from any publishers that would be open to taking a look at my book, I would be happy to send them the information on it.
Furthermore, if anyone is part of or aware of communities or forums that focus on the Sword and Spaceship genre, where I can potentially connect with like-minded individuals, I would be grateful for that. I would like to see what type of marketing they used to get their books out to a wider audience. There is only so much that reading "Marketing Your Book on Amazon" can get you before you need to start thinking outside the box and exploring other marketing strategies. I have subscribed to several Science Fiction groups online and have been actively participating in their discussions and sharing my knowledge and expertise. But right now, I feel like I have been beating my head against the wall to find the right publisher. I am eager to find a publisher who will appreciate my work and help me reach a wider audience. I have been working with various marketing strategies to promote my book and increase its visibility. I have a good following online, but I do not know if it is because of the posts that I make or the quality of my content.
That is the clencher of things. I have been getting people's attention and engagement, but I need to know if it is truly making a difference in the long run.
I believe that exploring these alternative marketing strategies could be beneficial for my own book promotion efforts before I start looking for an agent to help me out. I have found a niche with my writing, but I am not sure what course to take for my next few moves in the publication process.
But agents cost money, and I am a bit cash strapped at this time, so any help in finding some publishers that are taking unagented submissions would be a plus. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or resources you can provide in this regard.
Well, now I move on to give you the synopsis of my book. Let me know what you think of it. I might need to expand it or change it up so that it sounds better for a wider audience.
Book Synopsis: "Gladiators of Internium: Realm of Stolen Memories" is a science fiction and fantasy fusion novel set in the World of Internium. Libra, a shape-shifting explorer, lives a quiet life of farming after living on ancient Earth for centuries. When her friend, the Gladiator King Spartacus, returns with amnesia, Libra is thrust into a world of political intrigue, dangerous challenges, and profound themes of identity, family, love, and sacrifice. The novel transcends traditional genres, presenting a rollercoaster of emotions with its diverse cast of characters.
Here is getting folks attention and maybe a chance at publication. The story has the potential to captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.
As my friend Ollie says, "I need to get it released so that I can hold a publication party saying that I got it out." But there is more to that. I feel like I am succumbing to the headaches that force some authors to self-publish and avoid the traditional publishing process altogether because of market forces or not finding the right publisher that will take their work.
I am a good writer. I have a unique voice and perspective that deserve to be heard.
But is there anyone listening to that voice? Will my words be lost in the noise of the industry? Or will someone find my voice and give it the platform it deserves?
If you are listening, help me out here.
Shannon Gregory Hearn
Author of "Gladiators of Internium: Realm of Stolen Memories"
#Iamwritingsciencefiction