Novel update

I know I've said it before, but I really mean it this time: I'm going to start posting regularly on this blog.

This is supposed to be about written words, and I'm going to start writing words more regularly.

My last post was about how I had finished my novel. I'm still working on it, actually, trying to cut down the length about 25 percent. It's a tough process. I might write some posts about the work it takes to do that.

Also, I have been investigating two ways to publish the work—I know I'm not pioneering in this topic, but I'll give you my point of view. The two ways that I mean are:
- traditional publishing: finding an agent (not easy), soliciting publishers in Canada and worldwide, dealing with rejection slips, negotiating a contract (assuming I get an offer to publish), working with an editor, waiting and waiting for the thing to come out, then dealing with whatever promotion the publisher organizes—if any
- independent publishing: this is the term I prefer. Musicians like Arcade Fire as hailed as "indie" musicians; why aren't self-published writers? I have been doing a fair bit of research into this idea, and, as usual, technology has made it much easier and cheaper to publish a book in electronic form. So I'll look into this, and write about my experience here.

Another avenue of writing that I have not written about on this site is social media. Again, I know I'm late to the party, but I'm going to look at how to use LinkedIn, Facebook and other such tools to help with my writing, publishing and marketing of my book.

So, if any of this interests you, read on, come back, post comments, let me know what you think!

Scott Bury