014: My Debut Novel…
Preface: skipping blog number 013 was by design due to personal suspicions. Moving on…
Last week, my debut novel became available on multiple platforms for purchase (PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR LINKS TO PURCHASE). Despite having written most of my adult life, it was not until recent years that I found the inspiration to bring anything to print for an audience. I’ll add that there’s still a part of this process that I do for me, but I sincerely hope that the already numerous people who have purchased the novel find something of value in it.
As this was my first novel, I learned a ton. I’ll start by saying that the book is purely a form of fiction, but there are tons of lessons to apply to reality given our current climate. Its sequel is also nearing completion, which includes an edgier plot than the first one. I’ll go as far as to say that despite the fact that I consider A Glutton for Punishment an intriguing read, its sequel is more exciting. It would not be possible without the first one, however, as I applied so many lessons learned this time. I will likely do the same for the next book from this one, and the one after that, and so on.
I learned that to get it in front of people, there is a part of you that needs to simply not give a f***. Be a true honey badger. If people think it sucks, they’ll forget about it in a day anyway. If they like it, that’ll be what sticks. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. I also learned that when writing long form, patience is key. There is little rush in getting anything out the door, short of some publisher hounding you (but that's often for the big dogs anyway, and I’d consider it a blessing to have that problem). The plot needs to build on itself, and the writer cannot rush it. Some critics of novelists suggest that the same plot could take place in a fraction of the words. I beg to differ on a well-written novel. While there is a balance to strike, there is a need to also avoid shortcuts.
What I am learning now is that a supporting cast is a great asset, and that one should lean on a solid network to get name recognition established. I will continue to use them, as they want to see me succeed as much as I do–possibly more.
I’ll also note that I went with a vanity publisher to get this one out. This can be seen as a controversial tactic, but I’ll say that the company I used was fine to work with. Furthermore, to self-publish also requires putting forth plenty of money if we’re doing it properly. I understand the argument against it, and I respect it. As a new author, however, working through this journey with a company allowed me to see how the process works, and I by no means regret doing it. I also have something to show for the next project which I otherwise might not have had. This is a selling point for me, too.
Will I self-publish the next one? I don’t know. I will likely see if there is interest from an agent or other publishing company first, in a more traditional sense this time, but I’m not opposed to self-publishing either. I again have no issue with how I moved this one out the door though.
The second book, which I am finishing the proofreading on now, will focus on a fictional lobby firm in South Louisiana primarily focused in the energy industry. The head of the firm is a charismatic Louisiana native the main character from the first book, Alex, meets on a flight. There are deep connections between numerous characters in the first book and the second book, but I do my best to explain the connections without being superfluous. While the theme of the first book is heavily connected to local politics and narcissism, the second one will incorporate state-level actors and elitist involvement in a quest to create chaos to achieve sinister goals. This will set the ultimate stage in the more distant future for the final book of this trilogy, which I currently intend to use to illustrate the impact of lobbyists in our political structure.
Before I write that one, however, my plan is currently to give reality some time to trigger inspiration for content. Instead, I am going to focus on a historical fiction novel which will incorporate the oyster wars on the Chesapeake Bay. I want to tie events which occurred many decades and even centuries ago with the continued challenges that watermen on the Chesapeake face today. I think it will be a fun project. It has already taken me to some cool places, places I may detail more extensively in the blog at some point.
I have other book ideas, but I think that is enough for now. Anyway, I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this. Please give my book some consideration, too. It can be found at the following links:
A Glutton for Punishment: Pajak, P K: 9798891556676: Amazon.com: Books
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-glutton-for-punishment-p-k-pajak/1147213267?ean=9798891556676
https://austinmacauleyusa.com/book/a-glutton-for-punishment (NOTE: this is currently the only location to purchase the eBook version, but I am working on adding that as an option to the other sites too)
Thanks all! -P.K.