But only four of those seven years were spent on research and writing: it took me three years to find an agent; work with her on revisions; send the manuscript out to editors; get precariously close to an offer (twice); research the self-publishing business; hire professionals to edit and format the manuscript and design its cover; and, finally, publish the novel.
What I like to say about this process is: I’m now both a writer and a small business owner.
It has been an interesting and fulfilling journey. Thieving Forest has sold over six times as many books as my first, traditionally published mystery sold. It’s made me question some business practices I took for granted, and find new ones I had never considered. I feel as though I’m an expert now in this slice of the publishing business — until I remember that it changes day by day! But it’s exciting to be part of an industry in flux.
To mark this one-year anniversary, I’m giving away three signed copies (either paperback or hardcover — winner’s choice) of Thieving Forest. Thanks to everyone who has made this year so successful!
To sign up for the giveaway, please enter your name below. Winners will be notified September 1st. Good luck!
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Congratulations, Martha, on BOTH these successes! They both take intelligence, persistence, fortitude, and patience. So happy to see you mark the one-year anniversary! What a birthday! Enjoy and pat yourself on the back, big-time!
Kudos Martha !!!
Just imagine what your next book will be packed with for us mystery fans. Best wishes for a very successful writing career.
Hi Martha, I just finished reading Thieving Forest. First of all – I have never written to an author in my entire life (I am 53, emigrated from the Soviet Union at the age of 16 in 1979 and have been living in Atlanta ever since). Your book really moved me. It is very rare for me to cheat with a book you can’t put down – to read it during red traffic lights, during Sunday morning newspaper breakfasts, during 15min lunch breaks at work… you got the idea. It is very hard to make it into my list of life-long favorite books, with such entries as – I am now looking back at my special shelf designated for Books Of A Lifetime – Cold Mountain, The Help, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Cutting for Stone, The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Glass Castle, The Martian… – yet your book has just gotten a spot there. It is not in yet, since I am giving it to my wife’s book club goddess to read it and hoping she would recommend it to the club. I think she will. Anyway… I enjoyed reading your book. I was dreading the end, knowing you would certainly kill most of the good characters but found myself crying at the last pages – moved by the final twist and the sheer pleasure of HOPE, New Beginning. Thank you very much. Best wishes in future endeavors. CheerZ