Welcome to WW, Roger.

I don't think you're mad. I'm excited for you. What I understand is that this particular publishing venture aims to publish books that deserve to be published but which the marketing department would write off as 'risky'.

You've got to let us know at some point what your book is called so that we can support it.

I realise the answer to the following question is probably buried somewhere in this thread, but will the books only be available at say, Waterstones, or will we need to order them on-line, or what?

Hi Anne Marie, thanks for the welcome.

The novel is called Taking Comfort. As far as I know, the chief buyer at Waterstones, Scott Pack, is enthusiastic about the scheme, so I'm hopeful they will be in there at least. Macmillan have a lot of clout so they may get them in other bricks and mortar bookshops, certainly in the beginning. Whether they can still get later books in bookshops depends, I suppose, on how well the first few titles do.

The first six titles will be launched in April - to coincide with the big book fairs I imagine. The publisher is a guy called Mike Barnard - he's been quoted a lot in the press. Despite the fact that they said up front that there will be minimal contact between author and publisher, he seems really approachable. We have exchanged a number of emails and he wants to meet me.

By the way, I did join Write Words a couple of years ago on a trial membership basis. I got more involved with another writers' site - American Zoetrope. But I was looking for something with more of a UK bias so I thought I'd give Write Words another go. So today I converted myself to full WW membership. Still trying to find my way round. I may post some of Taking Comfort to see what people think. Dunno if that's the done thing.

Roger,

Congratulations on the Macmillan deal. As you'll know, the scheme has been hotly debated. But one perhaps uncomfortable truth is that Macmillan are in some ways just being honest about what most publishers do these days with all but their big-hitting books, i.e. give them minimal editorial attention and little to no promotion. At least with this scheme your book will get some attention; and I think you're wise to suspect that being in the first batch may turn out to be an advantage.

As for 'the done thing' regarding posting work on WW, there isn't one really. People have posted bits of published or to-be-published books before but usually haven't said what kind of feed-back they want. So, I for one, wouldn't comment in that instance. But if you have a need for specific feed-back on the book, and people can see that you'll take it on board, why not post some of it?

Terry

Surprise, surprise, I've just bumped into you at Zoe!!!

Not sure if I'm replying to Terry or Anne Marie, but thanks to both. Thanks especially to Terry for your insights. I think you may be right about Macmillan only spelling out what is actually the reality for a lot of first time authors.

By a strange coincidence, I just got an email from the publisher today, just after I posted my last message here. My manuscript has been assigned to an editor and they have forwarded the 'questions and observations' that have arisen. So my book is being edited, despite the fact that the advance publicity led people to expect that there would be minimal editing.

The points raised are very nitty gritty, but they show that they are thinking about the book both commercially and from a purely literary point of view. I am being invited to discuss everything. There are a couple of things that I need to think about. Plus one or two legal worries that I can't really do anything about - I have to go with their judgement I think. And everything else is fairly trivial. But their dealings with me are respectful, understanding and sensitive. One fear I had over the minimal author contact thing was that they would just make changes and the first I would know of it would be when I saw the book in print. This is not the case.

The publisher also came through with some definite dates for a meeting. so again, the minimal contact thing seems to have been a bit of a red herring. I think possibly it was a question of managing expectations.

But I am finding the experience of working with them, so far, positive and open.

Things are moving quickly with Macmillan! They want me to complete the editorial revisions asap so that they can get it to the rights people and take it to the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. This is good, I think. They really do seem to be trying their best to do what they can for the book and it's a real pleasure to work with them - but then again I have nothing to compare it to!

rogernmorris, I'm intrigued by the whole MacMillan deal process. It would be great if you set up a separate thread or blog, that gives us updates and walks us through the whole process your experiencing.

Cheers and best wishes on the book debut,
Adam

Well done Roger! Despite anyone's qualms, I think, as a first time author, the most important thing is to get your work out there where people can read it.

JB

I've just thought of something: they publish a hardback edition, but what about the paperback? I am assuming that if the hardback sells reasonably well and/or gets good reviews, they will publish a paperback edition under traditional conditions? That would be good. As I said above, I would certainly contemplate this; I find the royalty level attractive and I wouldn't have to have an agent. I've anyway no faith in publisher's promotions and have already figured out what I will do to proote my next book. No advances: not too good, at first sight. But one thing I know now: it's better to get a low advance and great sales, than an advance you don't earn out.
I just might submit... I don't like the current system at all and have been thinking of alternatives for some time.

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By the way Roger, congratulations and let us know how it goes on...

I didn't get an advance on my novel, and I don't have an agent. I'm just happy that a book of mine is going to be published.

As far as the agent thing goes, so far, I haven't come across any area I can't deal with myself - right down to organising cover art - and I quite enjoy the hands on approach.

JB

Thanks everyone for all your kind words. If people are interested, I will start a separate thread or maybe even a blog, as someone suggested (Silverelli?). I think I am registered with a blogger site somewhere but god knows if I can remember my password.

I was up late doing the revisions, which I sent off at 7.00 am this morning. Haven't heard back yet, but I am at work so contact is a bit tricky.

I'm off on holiday tomorrow, got to pack tonight, so the blog thing might have to wait till I get back.

Thanks again to everyone for your support.

Roger.