Do Traditional Publishers have auto reject buttons?!??

Rejected again  

OH my goodness.  Can you say disconcerting!??  I have been declined by another traditional publisher that claims to accept first time authors.   This is very nerve wrecking.    Trying to get your first book published by a traditional publisher is like running into a steal wall over and over again. It seems as though they have an automatic reject button for new authors? 

"What? You're a first time Author?  Sorry." 

 I know this is nothing new. I've heard it before over the years before finishing my manuscript. I also visited a Christian writing conference a few years ago and heard many reasons  why traditional publishers rarely entertain new authors.  I took note of that,  but I really wanted to be one of the exceptions to this rule.  Lol.  Not saying that I won't try again, but man, I'm wondering how many TP submissions it would take to get a book deal?   On the flip side, I can say I am thrilled that they did get back with me fairly soon.

 Neither publisher made me wait for a ridiculous amount of time. So to that I am grateful. The second publishing company offered a co-publshing alternative with them. Those prices were very similar to a independent publishing company's package deals.  They even had a self publishing  package deal.  I was not impressed. It was SO expensive, and over priced. You are basically paying for the name of a widely known publishing company's brand to be on your book, and they share their marketing platform. 

You've got to know famous people? 

My experience with these companies is that they want you to have a large social media following, on multiple SM platforms.  They also want you to have big name connections and an established speaking engagement circuit or outlet to help market your book.   Question: If I am a first time Author, why would I already have this established? There is no book available "for sale"  for me to talk about???   Most of the questions that I received on my first submission was how many influential big name ministries, and Pastors am I associated with.   I know they want to make sure that they can sell my book but I felt like it was THE  determining factor for these traditional  publishing companies.  If I have so many big name connections to help me sell and market my book, why would I need the TP to help me get exposure and to sell my book??  I could self publish and market on Amazon.   Most people go directly to amazon to purchase books.  If I already had thousands of folks  lined up to buy my book why would I need a TP?  I could get my own ISBN#s and retain ALL  my royalties, and publish it my self,  am I missing something with this? 

Self Publishing in progress! 

I've always had this option  in mind during this whole TP submission process, but wanted to try traditional first.  Now I have started  seriously looking into Create space and LULU for self publishing.  They seem to be the most cost effective route for me right now.   Also,  I am dealing with some sellers on Fivver trying to get a book cover concept delivered. I can't tell you how many people I've sent this to.  

FIVVER  Woes 

Dealing with fivver has not been as quick and smooth as I thought it would be.  I don't understand why something so simple as accepting or declining a request for service  is so hard for some of these sellers on Fivver.   And most of these people that I have requested service from came recommended!    

(I am also trying to use  Fivver to help me create a logo for my Natural Hair Care Business and that has not been smooth either.)   One, Artist/Seller quit or got fired by Fivver (I'm not quite sure which,  but it was  right in the middle of our first amendments to their logo concept.  Next thing I know my money had been refunded to my fivver account,  and the seller was no longer available on Fivver.  What?? They offered no explanation and I had to start over with pitching another artist.  SOOOO frustrating?  

Having a published author and  writing industry professional as  a "unofficial" mentor helps! 

I am definitely grateful that I do have someone "mentoring" and helping me.  I didn't ask her to be my mentor, but I am adopting her as one.  LOL.  This woman has been a God-send.  She has her own writing business, Executive Business Writing out of California.   She is the one responsible for  proof reading, and editing  my book. Stellar professional! Customer service was phenomenal she always kept the lines of communication open and she finished the project in a timely manner.    She did a spectacular job,  my manuscript is  beautiful, and its just waiting for a cover and someone to publish or print it.  I  am  definitely blessed to have her hold my hand throughout this process. 

Lesson Learned    

If I knew it was going to be this difficult I would have tried to finish this book sooner! Or I could have continued doing submissions while  I was writing.  The hard work begins after it's written!  I definitely didn't expect my book to still be un published going on  4 months after completion.

#anxious

Trust me I have been praying diligently on this.  Finance has been a factor s well.   

Okay, I just wanted to update.  I'm going to keep writing and keep chipping away with my publishing  efforts of Accountable to God.  GOD wanted me to write it so He will make a way for it to get in the hands of all who need it.   

Praying my next update will be a progressive one.     Until Next Time! 

My Book is on its second submission!

Hello all this journey to having my first book published has gotten real!  I am prayerfully awaiting a proposal from my second submission since the editing of my book was finished.  My first submission was through Destiny Image a Christian publishing company. They turned me down. They gave me a line about they only have a space for so many "new" authors a year etc etc. They asked me SO many questions regarding my current platform, famous influential contacts, and social media followers. That was a turn off. I figured they were going to base their decision on wether I had a ton of twitter followers? And when they  turned me down,  I asked and they said it does carry some weight. Figures! smh.  I know that I can self publish or just pay an independent company. But for this first book I REALLY wanted it to go through a traditional publisher primarily one that is well known because I wanted to carry that familiar name to help me get in certain book stores.  Also I didn't want to have to come up with all of this money for some package deal through a self publishing company that doesn't help with marketing, or an Independent that may take all of my royalty money.    But I don't know we will see how this pans out.   Createspace is going to be  a third choice for me.  I have everything done really with the exception of purchasing my Isbn# and having my cover illustrated. 

My second submission is through Creation house aka Charisma they couldn't offer me traditional publishing but offered a Co-publishing option. That was a first one for me. I had never heard of that.  They explained that basically they would put a proposal together (free of charge) and I could accept or deny. My benefit is to carry their name, receive their marketing, and everything that comes along with being on that team etc.  So we shall see I am waiting on their proposal. 

Time to Submit my Edited Manuscript!!!

That stock photo above does the perfect job in expressing how I feel bout FINALLY finishing my book!!!   I haven't been blogging about(not sure why I fell off with the, but such as life!)  But I am cranking back up as the next level of this journey is in full swing.   The final pages  of my writing was completed in October 2014 actually. YES I know!!    My  book was lying patiently by,  waiting, as I decided on how I would move forward with  editing and publishing companies.! (folks this is more difficult than getting up the motivation to write and finish your book, man!) 

   To me this is a very crucial part of the future of this book. Accountable To God.  With all of the self publishing, print on demand, and independent publishers and editing companies out there it was a lot to sort through, as this book is God's baby, and I am the co-parent!  Finding the right editor/publisher for me is like searching for the best daycare provider for a newborn child. I am super protective, over this manuscript!   Of course I always think of going the traditional route, but honestly was a little intimidated about that idea until now.  Will fill you in on that later!  But I met the prefect company to proof read and edit my manuscript.   Executive Business Writing out of  Moreno Valley, CA.    Beverly Crockett is amazing!  She completely understood my purpose, heart, and voice.  She was able to proofread, edit, and format my manuscript and get it ready for print pretty quickly, and kept me connected to what she was doing with it the entire time.  Working with this company was so refreshing, she was very personable, approachable, and encouraging.  

 The final work was very professional looking, and I already felt like I was looking at a published copy of my book, without the  Book Covers.   

 I am at the door of getting this manuscript submitted for publishing and marketing!  (I am doing my grateful dance!!)    I am in the middle of my book proposal and should be submitting it to a traditional publishing company that caters to  Christian writers and readers.  Most of the books they publish are self- help christian,  or Inspirational Christian messages. My book Accountable to God, falls into this category perfectly!         I will be back here soon,  to update on how that is going.  My prayer is that it will be ready for print no later than Spring 2016!