I’ve been (fairly) proudly self-published for a few years now. The overal experiences seem similar to those of a ‘traditionally published’ author (even though self publishing is arguably the more ‘traditional’ of the two routes). I have hosted book talks and writing workshops, participated in author events with other authors, I’ve also been a judge on the panel of a large-scale writing competition.

More than these I have come to find that my books are read (and enjoyed) by hundreds of readers.

For a while these were the primary experiences I associated with being an author. However, recently I’ve come to see that in some cases a book may need more behind it, and with this additional backing it might be able to do more.

Two years ago I wrote a science-fiction story aimed at teen readers. The story came to me of it’s own accord, and I enjoyed the process of helping it grow and take shape. However, on my first editing pass I came to realise that the book may be a means to showing the usefulness, excitement, and wonder of scientific knowledge.

At its core it’s a story about a young girl dealing with the long-term truth of grief. However, it also uses this emotional journey to draw her through axperiences which highlight how useful (and powerful) scientific knowledge and exploration can be.

It’s a perspective that I think could resonate well with a lot of young people, at a time when misinformation and ignorance gain huge viewership online (with channels like ‘5 minute crafts’ and others sharing sometimes wildly dangerous fake ‘hacks’ and experiments).

It’s good to know objective, undeniable truths. In fact it can be helpful as a means of grounding your thoughts. This sense of solidity can also offer something stable and unyielding, an objective fixed point on which to one can draw emotional stability.

The book is complete and is currently running through a first full edit. However, I feel that it could gain more with more eyes on it. It’s the first time that I’ve really felt that something I’ve written has a big enough message to require a bigger team behind it.

I used to imagine that an agent and a publisher were there to help promote your book. After all, with their investment of time (and, in the case of publishers, money) it’s more than just you who has a vested interest in your book’s success.

This always sounded nice but if additional promotion was all they brought to the table I often felt it was better to simply publish myself and be my own book promoter.

However, I’ve learned a lot about the publishing industry over the past few years. Sometimes from reading things, but mainly from conversations with other authors.

I’ve come to realise that the literary industry is more than simply a book selling machine. It’s also a space filled with people who value a really good book. They want a book to be it’s best.

Whilst I’ve been happy in the past to simply self publish my books. I’m becoming more aware of the strain to be found in attempting to be a Jack of all trades.

With this newest project I’m realising that my core story could be improved greatly if I were to see it from more perspectives.

I have a few agents in mind already (courtesy of an author friend who took time to give me some insight). Many of these agents open their inbox to unsolicited submissions in November, so I have just over a month to get this manuscript to my editor and tidy it up.

It’s a weird new experience for me and, as I say, my motivation for it has changed over the past few years. Fingers crossed that someone out there will look at this story and see what I see in the emotional and intellectual journey that ‘Lisa’ goes through. Wish me luck!

As always, thanks for reading, all the best, John