The Wild
May 3rd, 2007The name of this website comes from a place name in the fantasy novel that I finished last fall, and which went to market in January. Long after I had started writing this novel, but long before it was done, my agent called to say he was concerned – the market for heroic fantasy had collapsed, and almost nothing was selling anymore. I wasn’t too bothered. This was typical of my career – the collapse of science fiction arguably began around the time I started breaking into the market – and anyway, I was writing the book I wanted to write. I hoped to have it published – I thought it would be published – but if not, at least I would have written it.
So I kept at it, through some very stressful years.
When my agent read it last fall, he was… shall we say ‘concerned’ again? ‘Finely crafted, but doesn’t draw the reader in until well-along in the story.’ I was surprised, and none too pleased, but after some discussion it went off to market anyway. His premonitions proved accurate, for the novel did not find a home among the last of the major fantasy publishers. The general reaction was very similar to my agent’s, “Doesn’t grab me enough; Doesn’t draw me in.†Well, okay.
Strangely enough, I am not depressed. I still think there is a market for this book, but now I will have to find it without the involvement of New York publishers. This is not a horrible fate. Truthfully, I have had such awful experiences with the publication of the last two books that it’s not hard to look at this positively.
So unless I am struck by a bolt of good sense and persuaded otherwise, it’s my plan to self-publish the novel. Not as it is, of course. The book did not garner the reaction I expected, and I want to try to understand why, and re-write it, if I can see a better way to do things. So now the book – and all the risk of publishing it – belongs to me alone, which is frightening and pleasant all at once. Since no one else can tell me what to title it, or what cover image to use, I would like to finally introduce it to you, at least by name. It’s called The Wild. I look forward to working on it again, and I will do my best to make it a better book by the time it sees print.
Posted on: Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at 8:15 am
Categories: HahvÃ, Publishing, The Wild, Writing.
May 8th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Dear Linda,
I don’t know what’s wrong with your agent. You are the best writer I have found, science fiction, fantasy, or anthing you would like to do. I can’t believe you have a day job. Your nano novels are comparible to Tolkein’s trilolgy, someday everyone will have read them.
I would love to read “The wild” in the original version and the new one when completed.
I still think your books are made for Hollywood. They are as visually stimulating as they are compelling, interesting and exciting. Have you had offers? You mentioned something before about a screen play. They say writers rule there. My friend trys to get me to write something which just shows how desperate they are to get new ideas.
If I can help in any of this, self publishing,ect. I would love to try. I feel like I am stalking you sometimes because I look at your blog all the time but think I scared you away with my enthusiasm.
Thanks again for doing what you do,
Phil,
May 9th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Phil, thanks for the encouragement. Though I’ve harbored occasional suspicions to the contrary, I really do think it is the publisher, not the agent, who decides what books are purchased.
I started work on a treatment for Limit of Vision, but haven’t gotten far — I have many projects planned, but little time to execute them. Sigh.
And of course you are welcome at my blog! Thanks for stopping by.
May 11th, 2007 at 2:59 am
ok, when it’s published, I’d be interested in giving it, The Wild, a try.
May 26th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Put me down for two. Are you considering any e-book formats as well?
May 26th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Hi Andrew,
Not for The Wild, at least not at present. However, I have finally managed — just this hour — to get a YA novel that I wrote some time ago into what I hope is a reasonable PDF format. It will my first book (and first e-book!) from Mythic Island Press. More on this in an upcoming post….
December 17th, 2007 at 1:51 am
I would vote that if you do self-publish, that you DO make available the original version, at least in digital form. I would get both.
It would be great to read both your original incarnation, as well as what you think will market better.
Several major authors have eventually rewritten and published both versions, such as …
Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange
Clarke, Against the Fall of Night (City and the Stars)
Forward, Rocheworld (3 versions!)
Sheffield, Between the Strokes of Night
Farmer, Riverworld (1st draft)
It would be a horrible loss to us readers, if we had no way to compare your original to the final market version.
Agents and editors serve the market (I have no complaint with that), but you should serve your readers.
Too many times I have read an original and rewrite, and found the original superior, particularly for the Clarke novel – the rewrite didn’t have the elegance of the original. Then other releases actually restore what the author intended. In almost ALL CASES the author’s original intent is superior to what was marketed through agents and editors.
GIVE US BOTH !!
— Seattle