A Look at Traditional Publishing

The world of publishing is changing faster than anyone could ever have imagined. And it is true that there is much lamentation over the fact. But for authors, these changes have meant that a host of opportunities have presented themselves. Never before have creative writers had as many options as we do today.

As with any change however, the mere fact that there are so many options can be bewildering and very confusing. Competition is fierce. So the pressure that goes with making these choices is intense.

I am, what is known these days, as a “traditionally published author”. That means, I wrote my novel, submitted it to an agent. That agent offered me representation and then sold my novel to one of the Big Five publishers for an advance on royalties subject to a publishing contract.

I am one of the lucky ones.

I really am. I have a fantastic agent who really understands my work. We have a great relationship and we communicate with honesty. Mostly, it’s my agent telling me not to be silly, but that’s a separate issue. The fact is, I have the greatest respect and admiration for my agent. Plus, he’s a really great person too. I also have a great editor and publishers.

My publishers had the budget to create the extraordinarily beautiful cover designs that adorn my books. They had the marketing and distribution networks to get my novels out there. I am part of a team of people who make it possible for readers to read and enjoy my work.

How fantastic is that? As I said, I am lucky.

But am I really?

Traditional publishing has certainly come under much scrutiny and criticism over recent years. And even I have to admit that there have been hitches and hiccoughs. Sometimes, with even the most well oiled machines, things do go wrong. Competition to make it as a traditionally published author is fierce. Advances are shrinking. It is definitely not all roses.

But how has being part of the traditional machine affected my writing? If I’m honest, I think it has done so for the better.

It is physically impossible to edit work that you have written yourself to a final standard. This is a provocative statement. Many might disagree with me. Many authors are fantastic self-editors who do edit to a very high standard.
The problem with self-editing is that it is impossible to remove that element of subjectivity which is created when one writes something.
As a traditionally published author, my work is sent through a three-stage process of editing. Four, if you count the self editing I do before I submit.

First, the book is ready by my editor who makes notes. These developmental edits tend to focus on the story. Does the plot work? Are the characters all good? Do they like the way the book reads and if not, how should it be cut and changed in order to work better.

Developmental edits can be hard, because they focus on the creative choices one makes in one’s work. But developmental edits are good. My editor has many years’ experience in publishing within the genre. He knows what works and what does not. I benefit from that experience.

The second stage is the copy edit stage. The work is sent off to a copy editor who goes through the manuscript with a fine tooth comb and checks things like spelling, grammar and punctuation. Copy editors also check things like plot continuity and other inconsistencies. Do timelines match up? Are matters referenced within the work accurate?

There are few things more humbling than receiving a thorough copy edit. Having someone else point out the flaws in the actual prose you have written can be quite a gruelling experience. But one learns from it. Even on a subconscious level.

The last stage is the proof stage or the galleys as they are called. The manuscript is sent to the typesetters who then put the text into the format that it will eventually appear once printed. At this stage, the work is proof read and any last minute typos or errors are removed so everything is pristine when it is sent to print or in the case of eBooks, publication.

Is it worth having an agent? Definitely. The answer comes with a caveat though. Just like you would not marry the first man who asks you simply so you could say that you were married, so you should also not sign up with the first agent who offers you representation. Having an agent only works if the chemistry is right. Your agent manages your career. As in any relationship there has to be mutual trust and respect. Without it, having an agent can be a very bad thing indeed.

As for traditional publishing: I think that it has made me more objective about my work. It has made me more professional too. The quality of my writing is definitely higher, more polished. I think that every author should go through the traditional publishing route at least once. The experience definitely shapes one.

But is traditional publishing the only way forward? Most decidedly not. I think as authors, it would be extraordinarily foolish to pass up these many opportunities that we have. Always keep your options open. Have a portfolio of work, whether it be traditionally published, self-published, fiction or non-fiction. And most important of all, keep making good stories and fabulous books!

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Liesel Schwarz writes fiction. A life-long fan of 19th Century Gothic literature, she is a hopeless romantic and loves Victorians, steampunk, fairies, fantasy monsters, the Fin de Siècle, and the correct way to drink absinthe.

She also likes Medieval stuff, pirates, zombies, space operas and all subjects in between. She is also currently busy with her doctorate in English and Creative Writing at Brunel University.

She lives in London in the United Kingdom and is definitely a cat person.

Find out more about Liesel on her website www.lieselschwarz.com

Follow her on twitter @Liesel_S

Tags: featured, Liesel Schwarz, traditional publishing, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Publishing