Hello all,
This is my first time posting in the author lounge. I've been writing screenplays for close to 10 years now, but I've suddenly gotten the urge to write a novel because I have a large-scale yet grounded world with unique rules that I want to explore along with the characters within the world.
With this being my first time writing a novel, I'd love to hear suggestions on the process for publishing. I've done a little research, and from what I can see, it comes down to finding a literary agent to help with publishing vs. self-publishing. While I wouldn't be totally against self-publishing, I also don't want to spend years writing this all for 15 people to read it. I also currently don't have a lit agent, so I'm seeking advice. Will I need a lit agent to find publishing? If not, how do I go about finding publishing? Do I cold call and/or query publishing companies that fit my genre? Or is self-publishing a solid option? How would I go about self-publishing?
As for the timeline, I have a few chapters under my belt, and I'm excited about the direction of this story, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me. At what point do I need to start really thinking about publishing? Would I need to pitch a finished book, or do publishing companies prefer reading a few chapters first to see if the story has legs?
If I'm being honest, the end goal would be to see these characters and this world come to life as a movie(s) and/or a TV series. My original thought in writing a novel would be that I could control the full story and the world-building rather than dwindling it down for a single movie or TV pilot. My other thought would be that I would inherently own the rights for the book and could have the option to adapt it into a movie or TV pilot down the line. Is this the correct train of thought, or should I just focus on writing the best story as a novel first? Or if my end goal is to make it for the screen, should I try writing it as a script first?
Any and all advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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Hi, Trey Alessio. Congratulations on making your first Authoring Lounge post and stepping into the book world (I guess you can call it that Haha)!
Stage 32 has a blog called “Book-to-Screen: Taking Your Book (or Screenplay) from Proposal to Published to Produced” www.stage32.com/education/products/book-to-screen-taking-your-book-or-sc...
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Trey Alessio, thanks so much for sharing this, and welcome to the Authoring & Playwriting Lounge! It sounds like you’re approaching this with a strong foundation in story craft, and your instincts around using the novel format to fully explore the world and characters are spot-on.
You absolutely don’t have to get a literary agent, but they do open doors to traditional publishers that often don’t accept unsolicited submissions. That said, there are hybrid publishers and small presses that do accept direct queries, especially if your concept has a strong commercial appeal. Self-publishing is also a viable route, especially if you’re willing to treat it like launching a small business. Many successful authors go this way because it gives you full creative and rights control, and platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital make it much more accessible than it used to be. The tradeoff is that the marketing and distribution are entirely on you, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially for someone already thinking about adaptation rights.
Your thought process around owning the IP is absolutely valid. Writing a novel gives you more leverage and control if your long-term goal is a screen adaptation, and many producers are looking for IP that already exists in book form because it makes the package stronger.
As for when to start thinking about publishing, focus first on finishing the best version of your story. Most publishers and agents will want to see a fully completed manuscript for fiction (versus just a few chapters), especially for first-time novelists. You don’t need to worry about pitching or querying until you’re in the revision stage and feel confident in what you’ve written.
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Ashley Renee Smith This is amazing. Thank you so much!
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You're just at the beginning of your book journey. Don't worry about how you'll publish it. That's far down the road. You'll be far better off to learn how to write a book, which is different than writing a screenplay.
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Debra Holland Solid advice! Thank you!
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As an author of 3 published books, I agree with Debra & Trey 100%. Don't waste anymore time worrying ... write the book.
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I have self-published many books, and have sold quite a few (>150,000), however, I am sure I could have sold more with a publisher. On the other hand, the royalties would not have been nearly as much.
I turned to screenwriting two years ago, and after sending queries for the past six months, finally landed a lit manager, and an agreement to be produced by a respectable production company.
Self-publishing itself is easy, but you likely won't sell more than a few books without proper marketing. And the marketing needs to be continual.
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Trey--I published 19 books with traditional publishers and made almost no money (and that was WITH a very reputable NY literary agent representing me--and taking a 15% commission). The last 7 books, I've self-published and made more money. It's harder, but bear in mind that TRADITIONAL publishers expect YOU, a first-time author, to still do MOST of the PR yourself, instead of the old days, when their sales department did it all for you. Now YOU have to work harder than the publisher, wait longer for their schedule to fit you into the publishing calendar, take a measly 15% royalty (if that's still the industry standard), instead of the 70% I get on a Kindle eBook, and STILL do all the marketing yourself. Is it worth it? I don't think so. Indie authors have lots of PR options these days and they're usually not expensive. It's worth looking into them before deciding to do the agent-publisher route, which could take YEARS. Good luck!
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I can tell you right now from an experienced published novelist, it's best to go through a publisher, because the publisher is going to ask for the completed novel book manuscript. When you're finished with your novel, you can always visit my book publishing company, Bookbaby.com. You can tell them that Vanessa M. Chattman, the author of The Black Sea of Roses referred you.
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Congratulations on your endeavours, you're in the right place for sound advice. I have both paperbacks and kindle versions. The indie publishing world is an authors playground, established publishing companies less so. Good luck.
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I would write your novel because it takes hours, yet sometimes only minutes, for you brain to process the message of this existence of ours through your concept. Create and then pursue.
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Vanessa Chattman 2 I will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you so much!
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Susan Sloate Definitely a lot to think about. I appreciate your insight!
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Giacomo Giammatteo I will keep all of this in mind. Thank you!
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You are so very welcome
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Just focus on the writing and don't even think about the publishing.
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Paul Weil Solid advice. Thank you!
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Trey Alessio I agree with Susan Sloate - You still do the same amount of self-promotion with traditionally published & self-published books. (Unless you're already famous)... Write, rewrite, hire a great editor, and self-publish! In my experience - when you write the screenplay from your book - the director & producer give you more credibility & input into the production of your adaptation. You've proven yourself (especially if you publish with a plan & reach AZ #1 new release). I'll show you how when you get to that stage. Keep on writing! Oh, and meanwhile, create some social media to build a fan base for your book when you need a break from the manuscript.
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I think there are so many ways for publication. Please go global! Providing the publisher is open to international submissions. Think big and network. Sometimes a deal can come from meeting publishers at book launches or manuscript assessments. There's no one size fits all with the journey to publication - be open and keep going!
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congratulations on working toward your first book! publishing involves a lot more than just reaching readers—drafting, editing, and preparing your manuscript for release are all key steps. I’d be happy to share some guidance on navigating the entire publishing process if you’re interested.
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Each day, each hour is different, but you will be surprised how your insight (brain) has inserted so much from your daily acceptance and also non-acceptance of life situations. Use these life experiences to adjust to your macro story that you probably know what you want as your ultimate story line. Otherwise, you probably have a beginning, a story, and an end within your mind, so each day add in your own way, what you want to express with this collection of words put together to write about a life situation.
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Debbie Seagle Thank you! I will keep all of that in mind.
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Lauren Hackney I would love to go global! I'll definitely keep dreaming big when it comes time to publish!
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Samantha Franklin I'm open to any and all advice!
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Dave Borland Will do! That's very insightful. Thank you!
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Congrats on working toward your first book once again! Publishing is more than reaching readers,it involves drafting, editing, design, choosing your publishing path, and marketing. If you’d like a clearer step-by-step on the process, feel free to DM me directly.
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Trey Alessio - I've always done the self-publishing route, so if you have any questions about that, please feel free to DM me anytime. I also have a new contact who is helping authors who want more exposure that self-publishing might bring, so she may also be a great resource for you in the future, when you're ready.
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Don't discount independent publishers, as long as you do your homework and find out who's reputable. Going the indie publisher route, as I have for my first two novels, doesn't require and agent but is (arguably) less onerous than self-publishing. DM me if you'd like to know more. And good luck with the novel!
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Samantha Franklin Thank you! I will definitely reach out when the time comes to start the publishing process.
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Kat Spencer That's awesome! I'd love to hear more. I'll reach out when I'm ready to start nailing down the publishing. Thanks again!
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Alex Hunter I appreciate the insight! I'll definitely hit you up when it's time for publishing. Thanks!
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Great question, Trey.
I would complete the novel first. Once completed, start with a registered copyright before reaching out to anyone/posting all or part of it anywhere. Once the copyright is registered, it depends on whether you have an adaptation in mind for your novel.
If not, go the literary agent route and let the agent pitch your completed manuscript to established (legitimate) publishers. Never engage with a publisher directly.
If you're going the adaptation route, I would suggest self-publishing an e-book only through Draft-2-Digital and Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. AVOID vanity press (paid tiered services, such as Page Publishing). Regardless of traditional publishing (using a it agent) or self-publishing, you want to retain the dramatic rights when publishing.. Purchase your own ISBNs directly from Bowker.com, and from nowhere else. All books must have a unique identifier (usually the ISBN). Amazon has its own identifier, but can only be used on Amazon sites.
Also, you can also view my blog here, Seeking an Agent. See my S32 profile for the hyperlink.
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Hi Trey! I’m going the opposite of you, as I have experience in novel-writing and I’m now getting into writing screenplays. I do have a literary agent as top publishers require submissions through a reputable agent. (Mine are all published by Simon & Schuster and Disney.)
A good place to start is by writing the entire manuscript. Have someone you know who is good at grammar, catching typos, and the art of storytelling give it a good, thorough reading before you start querying agents. The Association of Authors Representatives (AAR) is a good place to start your list of agents to query. In the USA, they’ll take 15% and 20% for foreign. But they take care of the legalities so you won’t need to hire a lawyer to look over your contract. There are a bunch of benefits of going this route rather than self-publishing but I admit I’ve never done the latter and it seems some people do very well self- or hybrid-publishing.
If you decide to go the traditionally published route, you may not get to have all your film rights. For example, I have the full rights to only about half of my novels and I had to write to the publisher years after the books came out and ask for the rights. One top 5 publisher (that I didn’t go with) takes 90% of the film rights in its boilerplate contract! I think some take 10-25%. My experience might be outdated, but be aware of this as you move forward.
Whatever you decide to do, it’s always a good idea to have an outline (synopsis) as it will come in handy, and write the whole manuscript. Best wishes!
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I've gone the opposite route. I'd written and published eight novels when I decided to give screenwriting a try. I self-published one and the other seven are published by two different publishers. I love the freedom of novel writing. How you can go deeper into characters, research, and subplots. How you can find a metaphor that rhymes your setting. The poetry of the language. Ending a chapter with just the right words.
I think it's joy.
But it's very challenging to make money unless you are published by one of the major houses. Yes, a literary agent makes the odds of getting an advance and a decent royalty package greater. They are invested in seeing your success. For self-published authors, it takes a lot of hustle to make money and usually is reserved for certain genres. In addition, self-published authors need to write several books in order to profit.
Still, if you love it. Do it. If it is feeding something inside of you. Do it. If you are discovering new things about yourself as you write. Do it. If the challenge is exciting. Do it.
I have adapted a couple of my novels as screenplays but the one that got an option agreement was the first in a series of 5. The people I pitched to were impressed that there was a built in IP and the chance to do at least 5 films.
Do you have a critique group to share pages with? Feedback is invaluable in those early days.
Best of luck to you and happy writing!
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Jeff E. Gregory This is great advice. Thank you!
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Wendy Toliver Amazing insight. Thank you!
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Laurie Woodward You're motivating me to keep going. Thank you so much!
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Wish I'd published my novels with agents. Taking the shorter route. Going with Dorrance for my most recent to be published 'The Morning After the Morning After."
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Be prepared for criticism. Be prepared to revise. Be prepared for the unexpected. That's all I can say. But, this is an ambitious project and I wish you the best, Trey. :)
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Writing is a love. The moment I begin to put words together to tell a story of life, normally positive, because, bottom line, I believe in positivity eventually, I find the word connections can pass on stories of us folks on this earth. I cannot afford what publishers want at my age, so, what the hell, I just keep on writing, I think great positive stories of folks working together. All I can afford is Amazon (DaveBorlandWriter.com) but at least I am able to thrust my vision and compassion for these lives of ours through words. Right now, as I await my 90th birthday, I am finishing two novels of terrific, positivity, so all folks on board.....keep writing your vision of live with words...just write your beliefs of this life of ours. Sorry went overboard.
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Finish the book first. For traditional publishing (bookstores), you need a literary agent. Query them with the complete manuscript. Self-publishing is faster but requires you to handle all marketing.
Writing a novel is the perfect strategy. It builds the world and you own the rights, making it an asset for a future film/TV adaptation.
Stop worrying about publishing now. Focus entirely on writing the best novel you can. Your screenwriting skills will make the scenes shine.