D. Fierst

I’ve made some choices. Not just one, but a few, mind you. Some long-term, some short-term, and some with no terms at all.

The first and largest is the choice to pursue self-publishing for the first Tiger Boat and Captain Goat book, subtitled Song of the Seas. Now, why this choice, you might ask? (Did you? I know I did.) It has been a long and hard one to make, and one that did not come without an extreme amount of consideration.  

Now, have I pursued literary agents? You betcha, I have. Man, to no end, but alas I am left after almost 2 years of applying and rejection with a few (possible right, possibly wrong) assumptions:

1. My book or its elements might not be commercially viable.
2. The market timing might be off—middle grade novels often feature human characters.
3. Writing in English while living in Germany may be a barrier.
4. The classic ‘chicken and egg’ problem: agents want established authors, but how do you get there without an agent?
5. My online presence and network need strengthening.
6. My pitches and synopses might not be catchy enough.
7. Submission timing might have been off per agent.
8. Sometimes, luck just isn’t on your side.

Despite these hurdles, I can’t blame anyone or even circumstances. It is simply what it is.

Now, with that all said with just a slight hint of frustration, I am still coming away from this experience and ton of work with a very positive point: No matter the trial and error, my personal belief in the story, characters, and world I made is steadfast. Both artistically and commercially, I believe this is a story worth telling, reading, and pursuing both for myself and potential audience.

That is the point I am balancing this choice on – belief in something I have toiled over for a very long time. If the “traditional” way to bring these stories to the world is not open at this time, then I will make it happen in whatever way I can. Make no mistake, my very prevalent competitive spirit has been “activated” – I’m betting on myself and my work.

As I said at the start, “choices” and so we come the secondary ones. In deciding to self-publish, there naturally follows the questions of how to not only make that happen, but letting enough people know to make it all worthwhile. Social media outlets, publishing outlets, websites, shops…there is a lot to consider. And, most importantly, the need to unify it all with a singular story.

That story, my friends, begins here. My first (sub)choice is the commitment to transcribe this story of what I have in my hands, and the want to bring that to the world via this blog and extend that to my other social channels. The plan is to have new posts bi-weekly diving into current goings-ons, reasons for said goings-ons, and any extended thoughts on getting-on with the goings-ons.

Behind the scenes, this means a great many things such as: finishing the illustrations and covers, sorting copyrights, aligning all angles for a release, deciding on timelines, preparing media and posts, opening an online store for future merch, and updating all social outlets, etc., etc., etc. Each task and avenue with their own options and choices. Sheesh!

So, with that, we begin. It’s full engines ahead!