Sunday 9 August 2009

Au Revoir

Well, my new career starts very soon and will prevent me from writing (or even spending time on the internet) for a bit, so it's time for me to budge over and let someone on the NR waiting list through.

I was so sure that I would finish my third novel this year, but life has got in the way and it's now been mothballed indefinitely. In other news, I have been seriously contemplating self-publishing for the UK market on my second book. But I've also been reminded (by this excellent post - read the comments, cos they're interesting (and I've explained myself in more detail there)) that self-pubbing can be the kiss of death for a writer's career, even though I have no ambition or desire to use it as a route back to normal publishing for that book... But also, I got a royalty statement from the foreign publisher of my second book, which amazed me with the news that over 3,000 copies were sold in the first three weeks. And I got to thinking, maybe somebody should be pointing this out to UK publishers... so, on the spur of the moment on Friday night, I submitted to eleven agents. So now I'm back into obsessive inbox-watching territory. Bother.

And on that note... I shall leave you. I daresay I might pop in every now and again but I'm relinquishing my official membership.

Good luck everyone! Goodbye.

20 comments:

Rachel Green said...

Good luck, Clare :)

Rose Red Art said...

Good luck with everything! xx

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

3,000 copies sold in such a short time is fantastic and I think you were right to submit to more UK publishers. That should make them sit up and think.

Good luck and pop back for coffee and cake won't you?

KeVin K. said...

Good luck, Clare.
And make it pop in often" not "every now and again."

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

Forgot to paste this which I thought looked interesting:

http://www.completelynovel.com/

Anonymous said...

Fia, there are tons and tons of outfits which operate in similar fashion to the one you've linked to. The problem is that they don't have any quality control; anyone can join in. And agents and publishers know that the vast majority will be utter rubbish, so they dismiss the whole thing as "vanity" and pay it no attention at all. Self-publishing is something to do as pure indulgence (which is why I'll do it if I do), it's never a good idea to think of it as any kind of shortcut to conventional publishing.

CL Taylor said...

Good luck with the new career Clare. And fingers crossed for the subs of book 2 as well. You deserve to get a UK deal x

Annieye said...

All the very best of luck

Flowerpot said...

Best of luck Clare with everything and I do hope this next year brings you waht you want.

Cathy said...

Good luck with the new career and finding a UK publisher for book 2, but do pop back here when you can :)

Graeme K Talboys said...

Good luck, and keep us posted with your progress.

Marcie Steele said...

Best of luck Clare in whatever you are doing! x

Beth said...

Sorry to hear that you're leaving Clare, but good luck for the future... look forward to seeing you pop in.

Jenny Beattie said...

Good luck for the next part of your life and career. All the very best.

Liane Spicer said...

Good luck in everything, Clare. And congrats on the foreign version doing so well.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your new career, and with whatever you decide to do with your writing.

This is a great bunch of people and a I hope you come back to visit. I intend to.

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Good luck with your new career and the subs.

Rowan Coleman said...

Hi Clare - good luck with your new job, I can't help thinking its only a matter of time before you get a uk deal, don't be a stranger - we will miss you!

Lane Mathias said...

Good luck Clare. Wishing you all the very best in your new career.

Helen said...

Clare I am so sorry I'm late with this. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the UK publishers. Even so well done on everything you have achieved so far. x