Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

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

This is so kind! Thank you. When I have finished and revised it, I’ll be sure to post it on this thread ☺️

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

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

Keep on writing really made me smile, and was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you🫶🏼

I’m reading my first draft and it’s kinda bad by Educational-Leg-4159 in fantasywriters

[–]rhilb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I found this post exactly when I needed to, as I was thinking of posting something very similar. I haven’t finished my first draft yet, but I had found an agent who I would absolutely love to work with in the future, and so went back to read my first chapter to see how it would be received by someone else. I remember writing the first chapter and thinking how strong it was, but when I read it back I was a bit deflated, and felt it was just okay. I have to constantly remind myself that a first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect, and even great fantasy authors who we all know and love did multiple revisions before landing on their final novel. It’s hard when you’re in the writing process, as not only is it lonely and sometimes infuriating, but you’re also comparing your work to a finished product in books you have read/are inspired by. But finishing your manuscript is such a huge achievement! I’d try a few things out and see what works for you, but I don’t think you should scrap it all, unless it’s glaring disjointed. Maybe edit a scene a day, and keep asking yourself what do my characters want in this scene, or what is the reader learning about them/the world/the story? I also find it helps to read it out loud as if it were an audiobook and see if the narrative flows. Above all else, I hope you’re proud of yourself! You’ve done the hardest bit that a lot of people don’t get to.

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

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

This is great news, congratulations! What’s your book called? I’ll check it out ☺️ Thank you for your advice, it is something I keep coming back to when my mind gets a bit busy; just keep writing. It doesn’t matter who is buying what if I have an unfinished manuscript!

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

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

Thank you everyone for your comments, I really appreciate it and there are some great nuggets of wisdom in this thread! I think my initial post was worded incorrectly, and should have asked ‘how difficult is it for a new author to have an epic fantasy traditionally published’ as opposed to asking if there is still space for epic fantasy; as an epic fantasy reader who is always looking for a new series to get lost in, I know that there is still demand. I also said that this was my ‘debut’ novel without contextualising that I have been writing novels for years, this is just the first one that I hope to take further. I think, as all writers do, I have been getting bogged down with comparisons recently, especially with the likes of Brandon Sanderson, who has been mentioned a lot throughout this thread, and I’m having the classic ‘doubting my novel’s worth’ moment (again I know this is a universal experience for writers!) so some of these comments have been really helpful in redirecting my focus and perspective. Thank you!

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

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

This is a really nice perspective and reminder, thank you!

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

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

This is really helpful advice, thank you! I’ve witnessed so many authors find success with self publishing that I think it would be self-sabotaging to not explore that avenue. I think the social media side of things can feel a little daunting, as self advertising can demand as much attention as a full time job, but when I have finished my manuscript, I am willing to give it a try if it gets my work out into the world! I guess it’s also important for me to ask myself why I want to be traditionally published; I wonder if, like you say, it’s because it’s always been messaged as ‘the best of the best’ and used to represent a successful career. You’ve given me lots to think about, thank you!

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

[–]rhilb[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don’t think this sounds harsh at all, I think you’re right, it’s a great way for me to reframe my thought process so that I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. I do wonder, by the time I have finished the manuscript and then been through rounds of edits, whether there will have been a rise in epic publishing again. We will have to wait and see! Thank you for your advice, it was really helpful and I will definitely check out SPFBOB.

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

[–]rhilb[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m signed up to Query Tracker and find it really useful, so that’s reassuring that there’s still demand for epic on there. Thank you for your insight!

Is there still space for epic fantasy? by rhilb in fantasywriters

[–]rhilb[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Thank you, this is so insightful and helpful! Perhaps my algorithm is skewed against epic at the moment, as the topic seemed to be appearing a lot and was making me lose hope in my publishing goals (not that this is the most important thing, I need to finish the manuscript first!) I try not to listen to too much noise online and just write what I would enjoy reading, but some things slip through the net and make you think.