It took me years to make this one happen!
Publishing my Fantasy Book series - the beginning!
I still cannot believe that just 2 days ago I have received a publishing deal contract for the first book in my fantasy series. To be fair - I never thought this would happen. I never thought anyone would even like it. Yet here I am… Some years later, with 5 beta-readers, and a contract laying to my right.
I won’t lie - it took A WHILE
At first I wrote the book just as a hobby. To get stuff out of my head, but I quickly started dreaming about publishing it “one day”. I approached some publishers, got a yes and a no… The ”yes” seemed shady though (one publisher wanted ALL THE RIGHTS to my story, the other wanted me to pay, while promising 20% of each sale. Total no-go). So I stopped, and decided to do some research instead.
I searched for agents, but it turns out that this is a really drastic market, especially for the new writers.
The thing is: despite having over 50.000 followers across my social media - I seemed to be “not good enough” because I haven’t published anything yet and my book was pretty “big”. At the same time - I cannot believe that a fantasy novel with a whole new world can take someone up to 80.000 words. Like… How?
Anyway…
I kept going. Even though my initial manuscript had 220.000 words. Knowing that my debut novel should be… *ekhm* smaller - I decided to cut the story in a place that kind of made sense. Result? I was now looking at 130.000 words manuscript.
“Good enough.” I told myself and started the agent rounds again.
It wasn’t until a friend of mine said “My uncle actually has a publishing house.” when I thought about giving a chance to a publisher without an agent again. The result? It lays on my right.
The editors of this particular publisher went through my book within a day. Mind you - it’s 130.000 words.
Here’s yours truly - HELLO!
(Lexie Janson, Author of The White Raven Tales)
There was a catch though
Considering that it’s my debut novel, and it’s pretty big - I have been proposed a hybrid deal. This meant that the publisher invests in me, but that I also need to invest. The money? Something I didn’t have at the time… But here comes the power of community and work.
One of my Patreons on discord (hi Graham!) said “Why won’t you set up a PayPal donation page?”. I did, thinking that in best case scenario I will gather 200-300EUR. I also made a “deal package”. Everyone donating 35EUR+ will get a signed book delivered to them. This is the price of a book + shipping to wherever.
The result? I got almost the entire amount.
I couldn’t believe how some of my friends and fans believed in me. Some of my friends said that if the book is even remotely close to how I usually tell the stories - it will be great.
I may have cried. Multiple times.
So… Armed in the money needed even before the contract went through - I realised that this is really happening.
I am about to publish a book, and I’ve put dibs on the most Lexie date possible - Halloween.
Why would I agree on a hybrid?
I know that many authors would say “no way” for a hybrid. I know it comes with pros, cons, and… a big investment. But here’s my reasoning:
I made a pretty big book that is a series (not just a potential for a series. And the publisher actually loved it).
With hybrid deals the % of net income per book is bigger. My contract states that I get 60% of the net book sold (And 70% after 2.000 copies are sold). This is a bigger amount than the usual.
Publishing with this publisher will allow me to tick “yes” for my next books when the agents ask “Have any of your work been ever published before?” - which is opening more doors.
My second book is going to be something that I call “A brick” - 200.000words+
I trust this publisher and I want to learn more about the publishing process (they also promised coaching on this), which is priceless.
The process of publishing
I self-published a social media growth book before. It was… a complicated process and I am not fully happy with the result. Also, I had no idea how to market it because I used to be really scared of “selling things”.
I am excited to learn more about traditional publishing, marketing, and to have a team that knows their… *ekhm* stuff (put in another word starting with s).
So… On this blog I will be sharing my writing journey. Not only with the book, but also with ghostwriting, articles etc. I hope you will enjoy the journey with me, and that together - we can learn A LOT.
I’m excited to see you here
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