i have self-published.

i have not done a whole lot of looking for an agent as writing was a side hustle for me. Last year, i connected with an agent in connecticut who requested ten copies to sell at a church flea market. (she did this with several authors in a small group on online writers). After sending her the physical books and supplemental promotional material, I followed up with her four times before I realized that i got beat. I'm not sure how profitable it could be to run a scam requesting books for sale. (She had a website and seemed to have a business.) - I mean, who know? she could have gotten hit by a bus going to the post office to pick up the package of my things?? I have decided to look again for an agent. But i also know some writers who have had some success doing these shows/convention/sales - mostly in romance or fantasy genre. So, I can do two things??

With getting fired this past year, I've really decided to focus more on my writing. There are days i feel like i have accomplished a lot, and others I think it's all rubbish. I have had friends who are avid readers critique and give some brutal notes. i have some other writers with whom i have connected in the past few years look over some of my pieces (we read each other's work and give notes). The book i have completed has been through seven revisions. With this step into selling the book, I ordered a couple more proofs and contracted a line editor who will be responsible for catching typos - spelling and formatting errors - I'm happy with the content as it stands now. (mostly)

And thank you!!!!!

@Lillyfield41 I'm excited for you. My novel is only in its second draft right now, so I'm far away from knowing what my next steps will be.

@pasha-one-nine I started that novel in 2013. - i have no advice on the right steps to take with your writing. ha! (i am no role model) But, if you feel you have to, just keep writing.

When i actually looked at the amount of writing i've completed and thought about all the ghostwriting i've done that I don't really have access to, it's staggering. i may be one of those chimpanzees with a typewriter figuring out a sonnet somehow? I do feel like writing is a need in my life and never really was a want.

@Lillyfield41 zero ethical "agents" work without a contract....that CT person might actually sell your ten books and then try to hustle you for more without paying you for the ten sales....report the "agent" to the cops AND POST OFFICE IF you don't get full payment less agreed upon commissions...30 days from the date of postmark....if your phone calls and emails and hits to the website do note yield an acceptable response.also report the better business bureau the alleged site of the promised book sales....don't roll over and feel embarrassed CALL THE COPS where you shipped the books

@GreenAtheist I exhausted my emotional effort with that incident. it didn't sour me against agents. i can't figure out what her deal is.... i'm letting that one go. but definitely, lesson learned.

i have a publisher who really liked writing i did for a ghosting job. two folks from that house had contacted me previously and said when i'm ready, to remember them with a query. that's also in the back of my mind.

next though is reading the book one more time, doing this and one other book expo in 2019 and then maybe i'll have my stuff together enough to get a package together to pursue a traditional publishing contract??

@Lillyfield41 is your novel drama or romance ? I just watched Jennifer Lawrence in SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK 100% location shoot in Philadelphia....bi-polar and widow heal together almost a sports comedy melodrama

@GreenAtheist this one is speculative fiction. It does have robots and rocket ships but i would be angry if i was told its sci-fi and read through it.

My current WIP is historical fiction.

Yes. Well.... I am filling out application to be an author/vendor today.

@Lillyfield41 Best of luck to you then. I crunched the numbers for space at my local Con but determined it would be a loss as well and decided against it. I'll be curious to know if you felt it was worth it afterwards.

i think i may be more philosophical than political.

@Lillyfield41 each speech introduces the bill the vote the love of word to law....is not a prophet pushing sophist future fits of meaningful sound ?

@Lillyfield41 the libertarians and faux conservatives all flock to think tanks ivory tower professors inventing old stories punctuated by historical lies ? What matters not if philosophers are kidnapped jailed censored raped killed burned at stakes drawn and quartered lynched or buried in a concrete dam like Jimmy Hoffa