Bad News and Looking Forward
On Wednesday, April 6th, I received some bad news. My current publisher has opted not to continue its publication of the Goddess’ Respite, and naturally, not pick up the sequel, the Witch’s Cradle. What this means for everyone is, the current edition of the Goddess’ Respite will go out of print at the end of next month, and there will be a prolonged delay of the release of the Witch’s Cradle.
This turn of events didn’t come unexpected. I hoped to continue working with the company. However, as business partners, we each must do what is best for our side of an agreement, and what is in our professional best interests. The only hard feelings are the ones dwelling on lost potential. Instead of mulling over them though, I hope to turn this into a learning experience.
For the interim, I foresee a few options. Originally, I used Amazon’s KDP service to host Respite. On the surface, this seems to be a good recourse and fall back until I find a new publisher. Yet, since I finished Respite, I’ve flown by the seam of my pants. Rather than continue committing knee-jerk reactions, more reposed and thoughtful actions need to happen. I think my time will be better spent networking with the writing communities at large. Get myself established and known, which is well outside my comfort zone, but a necessary step.
As I do that, I will continue to work on bringing the next generation of vampire/urban fantasy books to you all! Not to mention non-Issy related material; yes, these things do exist. Recently, I was pointed in the direction of Scrivener. Thus far it has been a great addition to my growing writing tools. I’m also looking into using text-to-speech software so I can hear my WIP’s. You have no idea how much the demos I have tried have helped my writing over all.
Mostly though, I want to improve. Not only my writing, but how I conduct business. Rereading past entries on my blog, I found there were a lot of aspirations. Those are fine, but I never followed through. That oversight in diligence facilitated much of what is happening now. Professional commitments ignored. Accountability unestablished. It’s time to stop with the empty promises.
For those who don’t have a toe or two in the business, there is a transition period. During this time, it dawns on you there is a lot more to the career than long hours debating where to place a comma and fighting writer’s block. Phrases like marketing strategy, business models, customer outreach, and many more squeeze their way into your life. If you don’t take the time to learn these facets, like I didn’t, well, I don’t need to finish that thought. I tend to focus on the long view and fail to take account of the smaller, necessary steps involved. Most of the time, this results in half-assed decisions and those knee-jerk reactions I mentioned before.
Fortunately, the consequences of these errors have not been costly. However, if I don’t start taking care now, that will change. Naturally, this makes me seem as though I want instant gratification. (Okay, maybe I do. Love me dammit!) The truth is, my ignorance informs my decision process. The result is when I seemingly find a path that offers the least resistance to achieve my long-term goals, I snatch it up. Repercussions be damned.
All in all, it’s too easy to let something like this drag me down. I keep thinking it’s starting to do so, but I remind myself rejection is a part of the game. I have my first legit rejection everyone! Mistakes were made sure, but mistakes are what teaches us. I fully intend to learn these lessons well. So, keep an eye on my site, find me on Twitter @Richard_Shoptaw, and sometime in this Spring or Summer, Instagram and Tiktok. Thank you all for your support. I will repay it with The Witch’s Cradle when I can.
Leave comments below!