Choices

I’ve been pitching The Devil’s Favor hard this summer and have had many good responses! So far, I’ve pitched to seven agents/editors and have gotten seven request. It’s very validating when everyone I’ve talked to has wanted to see pages. I even have one offer on the table! It’s an excellent offer from a small press that comes highly recommended, but I have the possibility of “big 4” representation via another pitch I have to do that I want to explore before I decide.

The process is long and arduous, but I want to choose the best option for the book and my readers; I have been guilty of making snap decisions in the past and I want to be much more careful here. If I could get in with a large publisher who could get me into bookstores and onto the international stage? That would be ideal!

This isn’t to say the small press’ offer isn’t a good one. They are able to offer a higher percentage in royalties, which is appealing. However, it would be less sales. The question would then be how many more sales would I do with a larger publisher? Possibly a lot, if I’m lucky, so even though my royalties would be less with a big publisher, I would be earning more money overall because of the increase in sales. So, do I want 30% of a smaller amount of sales, or 20% of a, potentially, much larger amount of sales? (Not my real numbers, just an example of what I mean.)

I am blessed that the small press is being very supportive of this process. They understand that this is, ultimately, a business and me choosing to shop around is a sound practice and not a slight to them at all. That they are being this encouraging speaks volumes about them and they have come highly recommended by another author I trust. Hence why I haven’t said no to them and have asked for a bit of time to look around, especially since this is my debut novel. I am keeping them apprised of what I’m doing so that we are all on the same page.

I am quite curious about how far this book might go. Being as objective as I can be, I feel that The Devil’s Favor is a good story and that it would do well, given a chance. I’m trying to get it the best opportunity to succeed, especially since it is likely to be a series. So, I will keep plugging away at it.

Wish me luck!