Self-published author finds publisher!

Monday, August 26th, 2013

I was passionate to write the powerful story now contained in the newly released novel, The Cairo Codex…a riveting story of the finding of the diary of the Virgin Mary and igniting fierce conflict in Egypt. Revealing the dark edge of the Muslim Brotherhood. The story would almost write itself—right? But none of the 30 plus agents I approached were as convinced as I was. I needed to convince myself that it was the writing and the story that were important. So I let go of the search for an agent and self-published with Authorhouse. I had written and published 2 of the 3 books in the trilogy when a small miracle occurred. A close friend of mine met a publisher in Switzerland and he asked her to read one of the novels he had just published in his publishing house.  It was Breath of God by Jeffery Small. She did, and said: “I have a friend who has written a novel with some similar themes.” He read my first novel and offered me a contract for the trilogy. And–he asked that I rewrite the novel in more of a suspense genre. So, I rewrote the novel, changing some of the characters, leaving out others, shifting chapters, creating new chapters, redistributing clues, and on and on. At first I thought: start over!! rewrite my novel!! However, it gave me a chance to improve the book and the writing. I’m glad I did it, for it is now a very good book.

Now, I realize that mine is not the typical story of “small town girl makes good.” In most classic cases, a self-published book sells thousands and that is why it is picked up by a mainline publisher. However, as I’ve learned, there may be other ways. What do you think? Do you have a different story?

Linda

Tags: finding a publisher
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