tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post8186126238634908487..comments2024-02-20T07:57:47.756-08:00Comments on Carol Hedges: How to Make A Million From WritingCarol Hedgeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-65925028985383581752015-12-29T02:33:04.588-08:002015-12-29T02:33:04.588-08:00Thanks, Carol! Fantastic and true. Which is why I ...Thanks, Carol! Fantastic and true. Which is why I write...not to make money, but to be able to take the next breath!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16758873139849336117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-77717972781059450062015-11-02T07:06:38.535-08:002015-11-02T07:06:38.535-08:00Great post and follow-up comments, Carol. After be...Great post and follow-up comments, Carol. After being turned down by a million agents (slight exaggeration there), I've been surprised at the positive reader feedback on my small-press published debut novel. It really is a crazy business with minimal correlation between success and merit. For anyone considering the small press route, I've just had this published on Writers and Artists:<br />https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/writers/advice/921/preparing-for-submission/what-does-a-publisher-do/Anne Goodwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184575753612760952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-39531511397238690742015-10-26T02:01:27.839-07:002015-10-26T02:01:27.839-07:00Good for you! Great attitude. Seriously, I am now ...Good for you! Great attitude. Seriously, I am now 65, on my 15th novel and I DO KNOW what I am talking about! Write coz you love it...coz the publishing world will do its best to beat the love out of you.Carol Hedgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-89199670117617086012015-10-26T01:53:58.196-07:002015-10-26T01:53:58.196-07:00Your advice is always straight to the point thank ...Your advice is always straight to the point thank you for that. Reality is I write because I must. I have tried to not write but then There is no escape for my madness. If my book ever gets out in the wide world for human regurgitation or not, I first write for me. I am on my second draft and hope that one day I will think it good enough that I no longer need to tweak it.hhtp://ellenbest24.wordpress.com/https://www.blogger.com/profile/01905644490985794475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-86815736543309293712015-10-23T08:32:03.507-07:002015-10-23T08:32:03.507-07:00So good to hear! Sadly, I am still seeing the '...So good to hear! Sadly, I am still seeing the 'I want an agent & then my troubles will be over' stuff. I discovered my agent had all my American rights and had decided NOT to sell my Spy Girl books...and then they rejected out of hand Diamonds & Dust (check the 71 reviews) ATM I am with a small Indie...that may change...Carol Hedgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-2127514890486042122015-10-23T08:17:56.056-07:002015-10-23T08:17:56.056-07:00Wonderful post, Carol
It mirrors my experiences. B...Wonderful post, Carol<br />It mirrors my experiences. Be naive at the time (2005), I wrote a screenplay, 'Genome', a paranormal (ghost story to a mature writer like me ;-) mystery with a hitech slant. I submit and submit, etc. Lots of 'eh, no thanks', and 'not our cup of tea' or just no response at all.<br />I discovered Barnes and Noble and Amazon self publishing and decided to rewrite the screenplay as a novel.<br />I've never looked back and stopped worrying about an agent of any kind. I have an ongoing humorous SciFi adventure series 'Arlo and Jake', 'Genome' and a writer's blog.<br />I've found that writing is what I wanted, not making money as a writer. My books and blog get good reviews and people enjoy my work. Sure, I'd love to have a successful book, who wouldn't, but I'm having a great time writing and getting to know other authors, like Vanessa Wester, James Smith and others in a writer's club I joined.<br />I wish you and your readers a great week of writing!<br />Gary Alan Hensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09577930724039661640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-27794833897816144342015-10-11T00:31:30.278-07:002015-10-11T00:31:30.278-07:00I found this post both interesting and insightful ...I found this post both interesting and insightful Carol! Love it! I'm currently writing a book which I'm thoroughly enjoying. In fact I almost don't want to finish it, it's very different from anything I usually write and I've had to do a lot of research which has been half the fun. I've been fortunate in that i've been able to chat with many people who want to help and get on board with it. When the day comes that I have to let it go, I'll take on board your advice. I always just assumed submitting to literary agents and playing the waiting game was the done thing. Now I think I might consider the self publishing route. I know nothing about it so it's a little daunting but I'm sure I'll learn the ropes! Thanks again for this great post! XGirlGoneDreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08531205341521166491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-53728858104659687922015-10-09T03:37:20.036-07:002015-10-09T03:37:20.036-07:00Very interesting Carol. A friend once told me tha...Very interesting Carol. A friend once told me that he had been told, by an insider, how a publisher gets a million pounds from publishing fiction. Easy. He starts off with a billion. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13886037248037765094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-72622502404718100312015-10-08T10:44:49.791-07:002015-10-08T10:44:49.791-07:00LOVE THIS! :)LOVE THIS! :)Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16607673377543904060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-81614954888984624832015-10-05T23:53:12.652-07:002015-10-05T23:53:12.652-07:00well done! I think the myth that there is only one...well done! I think the myth that there is only one route is put about by those in whose interest it is to promote it...they still haven't grasped that many writers are preferring to self publish or small indie publish. I have never been well treated by a big publisher-I've always felt like an insignificant cog...same with my agent. You get a lot more hands on respect and FUN from being an Indie!Carol Hedgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-76109448733041690892015-10-05T19:51:05.981-07:002015-10-05T19:51:05.981-07:00I've had useful feedback from agents, and I...I've had useful feedback from agents, and I've had friends who have done very well with them. Rosie Garland - a fellow Manc poet-and-novelist - got her six-figure deal at Harper Collins via an agent, but crucially, that was after winning a big competition. The traditional route does work for some people, but so rarely that it really shouldn't be seen as the only way to go, which is why I like your post so much. I've always made more from competitions, litmags and anthologies than royalties anyway, and I don't see that changing any time soon!Jehaninehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01862689260684969287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-56464264614676984612015-10-05T19:40:30.640-07:002015-10-05T19:40:30.640-07:00As GBS said, a fan is someone who buys your books....As GBS said, a fan is someone who buys your books. A friend or relative is someone who says that they might get round to reading your book if you give them a free copy. Jehaninehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01862689260684969287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-78171514949791491812015-10-05T15:14:58.111-07:002015-10-05T15:14:58.111-07:00Thank you for this inspiring note, Carol. I just s...Thank you for this inspiring note, Carol. I just self-published my first book three weeks ago, and in this nerve-racking time of being excited one minute, and being scared the next minute, it's soothing to read such a note. I would add, if I may, that as a new indie, I was surprised and increasingly annoyed to see, how everyone is trying to make money of us. Elisabeth GlasAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04189917189811347923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-62036550268323821422015-10-05T08:15:58.800-07:002015-10-05T08:15:58.800-07:00Thanks....though as I said, I doubt if they will l...Thanks....though as I said, I doubt if they will listen...until they get as disillusioned as the writer I quoted...Carol Hedgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-34402011924954307352015-10-05T07:32:24.177-07:002015-10-05T07:32:24.177-07:00Great stuff Carol. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa xGreat stuff Carol. Thanks for sharing.<br />Lisa xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-26160087371057774372015-10-05T06:51:18.442-07:002015-10-05T06:51:18.442-07:00If I was doing all this for the money I'd be s...If I was doing all this for the money I'd be suicidal by now. Good advice to those who are shorter in the tooth than us two though!Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-12339634368031694372015-10-05T03:02:42.461-07:002015-10-05T03:02:42.461-07:00Love this Carol. No nonsense good advice!Love this Carol. No nonsense good advice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-28445009400546626242015-10-05T00:36:36.799-07:002015-10-05T00:36:36.799-07:00Try ..but be aware of what agents do and what they...Try ..but be aware of what agents do and what they are there for. DO NOT hope for anything and keep on enjoying your writing..why not try a few Indies like Accent Press and Crooked Cat (mine) they will accept work submitted directlyCarol Hedgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-72486600183289588852015-10-05T00:35:22.721-07:002015-10-05T00:35:22.721-07:00Actually, you are a novelty--mosst self-publ and s...Actually, you are a novelty--mosst self-publ and small pibl writers can't get their books into mainstream book shops..due to the BIG discounting offered by large publishing houses. Well done you.Carol Hedgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-6310460774626222422015-10-05T00:11:41.769-07:002015-10-05T00:11:41.769-07:00As I'm about to send my first novel out to age...As I'm about to send my first novel out to agents, I'm now rather worried! Having self-published my two story collections with the help of my lovely husband, I'm familiar with this route but like many others, i'd really like to have my novel traditionally published. Is that wrong? I talked about it with hubby and realised it's probably because I've never considered it as a money-making exercise (Knowing it's unlikely I'll ever make as much money from it as I do from my mag stories). It's important for writers to go into this process with their eyes open and think your post is excellent.Wendy's Writinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06960941625432714363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-27530310764687815362015-10-04T21:56:59.174-07:002015-10-04T21:56:59.174-07:00A great post, and obviously a companion piece to; ...A great post, and obviously a companion piece to; "How To Make A Small Fortune In Horticulture: Start With A Large One" ;)Christina Hollishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05801516849671439323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-45929410074193231682015-10-04T11:01:01.091-07:002015-10-04T11:01:01.091-07:00well, thank you! I have also discovered a right li...well, thank you! I have also discovered a right little 'business' in buying fake reviews to move a writer up the amazon charts..which one incorporates into free promos. There are a LOT of ''writers'' out there whose ethics and morality are deffo on the louche side.Carol Hedgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10359578624109905400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-71608857634106889872015-10-04T10:58:50.760-07:002015-10-04T10:58:50.760-07:00Interesting and this makes me happy in a way. I...Interesting and this makes me happy in a way. I've just self published my second book and yes, it is going well. I'm getting good press coverage and it's in independent bookshops (still awaiting an answer from Easons who stock my first book) but I have to admit I was wondering 'If I had a publisher, what would it be like?'Lornahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015109751334088807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-71729723523487807162015-10-04T10:11:02.701-07:002015-10-04T10:11:02.701-07:00Excellent post. I agree and empathize completely, ...Excellent post. I agree and empathize completely, having been down at least two of these routes in the past and having been bitten badly. Much happier with small presses and I just love the process of writing. I've never expected to make much money and if I make $4 a day, I'm making the BIG time! I've seen it all to often when the passion of writing quickly becomes disillusionment and those good-to-great authors have simply given up because they don't think their books are good enough. I say, just write. Your books are brilliant. I know, because I've probably already reviewed them. Claire Stibbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04852470684392420651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2681775564258628407.post-12812681024012548522015-10-04T03:12:30.876-07:002015-10-04T03:12:30.876-07:00A really interesting post - the term sour grapes i...A really interesting post - the term sour grapes is always used when people don't like what they are reading. It is a minefield out there and I am only stepping on the first ones - you have to love to write, we all hope we're going to be the next big thing I suppose and the cult of youth does my head in. Perhaps it's because the young ones don't argue back...My experience so far (book 1) with a small traditional publishing house has been pretty good and they are listening to me, let's see what its like when it gets published - I am glad though that I am older, have honed diplomatic skills and years of bloody project management experience or I would have drowned by now. Of course the £130 I've earned to date has massively helped...Catherine Hokinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16251036106757891834noreply@blogger.com