I always assumed that my first book would be a traditionally published one. To that end, over the years, I spent a lot of time researching query letters, synopses, and pitch contests.
And I wrote a book. I revised (and revised and revised) it. My amazing beta readers and critique partners told me that my novel about a teenage barmaid in a world filled with Elementals and royalty, was ready to meet the world. So, I began querying, jumped into pitch contests, and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
While I waited, I closely followed the paths of Leigh Ann Kopans and Jamie Grey, who both self-published their debut novels last year. Game-changer. I saw that they were putting out quality novels. I heard about the speed of self-publishing, the control that’s available to them, the decisions that they get to make for themselves. The idea was incredibly appealing for someone like me who doesn’t always love being told what to do.
But I was already querying, so I persevered. I garnered a few requests, some nice words, but ultimately, the answer from agents and editors was: “this won’t sell right now.”
And you know what? I don’t think they’re entirely wrong… for traditional publishing. I’m a book blogger. I know what books the major publishers have released and/or have coming up right now. I look around the marketplace and see books with similar elements to my own. Publishing houses naturally don’t want to “compete against themselves,” and an agent would hardly want to sign a book he or she couldn’t sell.
But I can’t shake the feeling that there were readers out there who would (dare to dream) love my novel as much as I do. Those ‘BIG’ books that are being published right now put this thought in my head:
“Maybe a publisher won’t buy my book right now… but I think that readers will.”
I pulled my remaining full submissions and… I think you know what’s coming here.
My debut novel, Threats of Sky and Sea, will be published in May!
I could not be more thrilled with this decision and already feel that I’ve made the right choice for this book. Threats of Sky and Sea (or TOSAS, as I like to call it) is the first in a YA epic fantasy series and it will be available in both ebook and paperback.
I can hardly believe it BUT you can add it on Goodreads now(which would be a huge help to me!). You can also ‘like’ my author page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and/or follow this blog to stay up-to-date.
There’s a lot of details to see to before release day, and you’ll be hearing from me a lot before then, with announcements like street team and blog tour sign-ups, a cover reveal, and order links… but for now, let me just say: I am so, so excited to share my book with you.
yay!!! good for you!
Thank youuuu 🙂
Congrats Jen!! I can’t believe you’re done with your first novel, that’s so awesome!!!!
Thank you so much!!!
So happy for you! Cannot wait to read!
I so appreciate your support, Melody!
Wow, Jen, this is so exciting!!! Congratulations! I’ll be snagging it as soon as it’s available xo
<3 <3 <3 Thank you! I'm pretty pumped about the ~adventure of it all haha
JENNIFERRRR. Broken record, but yes. Yes! It’s already been a fun, crazy ride with you and TOSAS up until this point and I’m so happy that you’ve reached this milestone. Here’s to many more milestones and more fun and craziness (mostly the good kind, I hope!) to the rest of your ~journey! 😀
I cannot wait for May 😀
A thousand <3s! I would never have gotten to this point if it weren't for your help in beta-reading, offering suggestions, brainstorming, and putting up with my insane texts.
[…] Yup, it’s our very own Jennifer of the Bevy Bibliothèque. In case you missed the news earlier, Jen’s debut novel is coming out in May! Yes, it’s true that I’ve already had the awesome privilege of devouring reading her debut, but […]
I’ve said it many times over this past week, but again CONGRATULATIONS! I’m so thrilled and excited for you, and I can’t wait for everyone to read TOSAS too.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, love! I am really nervous, but largely excited and looking forward to the journey!
This is beyond exciting!!! A million Congratulations to you!! TOSAS is on my TBR and I can’t wait to read it 🙂 Good for you for taking the leap and self-publishing.
Ahhhh, thank you! That means a lot to me 🙂
As you know I’m super excited for you 🙂 (and thank YOU for being courageous…I can assure it helps others :-))
[…] and all other relevant details over at her blog Speaking Jenerally which you can read about here. You can also add her novel on Goodreads! DO IT. DO IT […]