Why I'm Offering My Manuscript For Sale

I know a lady from the traditional book publishing world who is writing and self-publishing a book as an experiment. She wants to see what it's like on the other side.

So do I.

I hope all my indie friends will forgive me for shopping my manuscript to agents. It is part two of my book marketing experiment. The difference is that it's not something I can control. I know the odds of selling my manuscript are astronomical. While anyone can say, "I think I'll self-publish a book." Most people can't say, "I think I'll publish my book with a big house." This experiment may never get off the ground.

However, I'm not a girl to look at the odds. My dream is to publish both ways and then compare them. I will keep you updated on how it goes with me.

I've written my query letter, my synopsis, defined my platform, and chosen competitive titles. I've had the manuscript edited by a professional, I tweet as my character, Leah French, and I've made a Pinterest page with photos of how I see my characters and quotes from my book.

I've been spending time at our public library researching YA literary agents in the 2012 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market book. I plan to query ten agents. If I get no response, I will change my pitch and query ten more. I will repeat this process until I either exhaust my list of agents, or I get an acceptance.

You might wonder why I am querying agents and not publishers. It's to open doors. My novel might be suitable for Harper Teen or Harlequin Teen, but neither house accepts unagented submissions. I believe a good agent earns their money and I'm only querying reputable agents. 

For details about my YA manuscript, click  HERE.

Self-publishing has taught me so much about the business. Imagine how much more I could learn from an experienced publisher! I can apply this knowledge to The Pet Washer and future books. This is my theory: publishing in any form is an opportunity to learn more about the business.

To Do: I know most of my readers have turned their backs, for good reasons, on traditional publishing. If this is you, please just wish me luck. If you are on the fence, don't forget that you can try both. If I don't get an agent or I don't like the deal--I will self-publish my book as I've planned to all along. I'm not saying no to one and yes to the other. I might make more money self-publishing, but I would trade those profits in for a larger audience. I would rather go wide than deep!