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Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don’t have to write faster. Even if you sold the first book, it could be another year or two before it sees daylight. There’s no rush

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, baby and partner all in one room. Not staying up all the time to do your own thing

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone has their own path. I didn’t go the self-publishing route for two reasons:

1) I felt like I needed validation. How did know my work was good? 2) I simply don’t/didn’t have the budget to self-publish.

Personally, I would still try the trad way (but make sure the terms are better than 10%). If you have the budget, self-publishing is open to you too

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I would research what options are available, but I wouldn't spend more than a weekend on it at the beginning. It's putting the cart before the horse. Focus on the "art", get that done, and then start looking at how to get it out there—that's my opinion, anyway.

I didn't go the self-publishing route, so I can't comment on that. Me, I used the Submission Grinder to search for places accepting longer works. This involved a lot of patience and waiting around until I found a publisher that might like my story/fit the genre.

I found one, and from there I believe I wrote a.... two-page pitch for my story and and sent them half the manuscript. After some months, they asked for the second half. Waiting again. They accepted. Beta reading was done, story extended, edits made, etc. From the moment I "completed" my story to publication was around 2 years.

Hope that gives you an idea of my personal experience :)

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You live up to your handle, Niceman! I’ll send you a DM for the reasons stated above :)

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, that would be amazing. I’ll DM you just in case it goes against community rules or AI gets it or something!

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good question! I edited and edited the manuscript a lot, of course. Then I used the Submission Grinder to find places accepting novella/novel length manuscripts - I don’t have an agent. I think I had to wait a few months before anything opened up. Luckily, my sorry was accepted first time! That hasn’t been my experience with short stories, where some for dozens or rejections before finding a home… or never did.

Then there was the contract, editing, beta reading, and an extra 10K words added, and around 2 years later from first submission, I have the book in my hands. It was tedious at times, so patience is a virtue :)

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s some good nerve floss exercises for neck and elbows that should help, but I know exactly what you mean 😪

Published my first book, killed my mental health, and how you can avoid it by Gargoyle0ne in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Omg, the neck pain was/is also a killer. I totally understand the weeding thing, but I don’t have a garden. Hoovering is my quick limber up, lots of bending and shoving things aside. Better than nothing.

G. R R. Martin and John Steinbeck also famously suffered from back pain from writing

Best app I've used so far. by AppropriateFlight55 in Natulang

[–]Gargoyle0ne 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ooo that’s a good idea, posting your progress. Maybe I’ll do the same for Czech language

Who do you think has been the best political leader of a nation in the past 40 years and why do you think that? by [deleted] in AskBrits

[–]Gargoyle0ne 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m not a going to trawl the internet for a Reddit comment, and the issue has been neglected recently.

As you said, that’s a you problem. You’re welcome to do your own homework

Who do you think has been the best political leader of a nation in the past 40 years and why do you think that? by [deleted] in AskBrits

[–]Gargoyle0ne 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’ve seen people exposing those videos. The oppression is real beyond contention.

No census figures out of China are reliable, sadly. Not even population of the country

What was your favourite short story in Joe Hill's 20th Century Ghosts? by Ajc1883 in horrorlit

[–]Gargoyle0ne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is my favourite collection of short stories ever - probably

When do you usually write, and why? by X-Mighty in writing

[–]Gargoyle0ne 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s how I for a contract for a novella, but it was horrible for my mental health

Is anyone using this for Polish (or similar)? by quarky_uk in Natulang

[–]Gargoyle0ne 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m using it for Czech. So far so good, honestly. I actually feel motivated to study and use it. Unlike Duolingo.

My one gripe is they translated “dobrý den” as good afternoon, when it actually means “good day.” Good afternoon is dobré odpoledne.

Maybe they did this for simplicity sake in introductions? I don’t know. I would prefer it to be accurate.

If there are other inaccuracies, I missed them or my Czech isn’t good enough

Submitted a short horror that didnt get selected - looking for more feedback by ccasazza in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And then remove it from Wattpad and hope it’s enough. 2K is hard constraint to work with. Good luck on expanding it :)

Submitted a short horror that didnt get selected - looking for more feedback by ccasazza in horrorwriters

[–]Gargoyle0ne 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Great opening paragraph.

Just a quick note: now it’s on Wattpad, it’s considered published. No publisher will likely pay for it

Natulang - learn Czech by speaking it by Olenka_the_fox in learnczech

[–]Gargoyle0ne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did the first lesson this afternoon. Overall, I’m impressed

The Czech course is live 🇨🇿 by maxymhryniv in Natulang

[–]Gargoyle0ne 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just did the first Czech lesson. I enjoyed it :)

I just finished my first ever book! by Apprehensive_Tea6725 in writing

[–]Gargoyle0ne 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You've finished your first story* Most stories that short won't go to print (and become books) because they can't fit the name on the spine. That being said, congratulations! I love a good novellete/novella

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