How much should be posted on-line?

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How much should be posted on-line?

I am relatively new to this forum, so my question is this, and forgive me if it has already been asked and answered - how much of a book should be posted on-line? I mean, I have an almost completed book, but should I just post a few chapters and leave it at that, or eventually put the whole thing online? Naturally, my goal, as it is with many of you, is to eventually become a published author, but if the entire book is already available to be read online...?

Would you advise to start other projects? Would really appreciate some feedback on this.

Thanks, and happy writing!

Lindzz

I recently submitted a novel online, (Blood Money) and posted three chapters at a time. I would suggest that you post the entire novel, unless you wish to have it published at a later date. Me, I am impatient and have given up with the so-called big publishers. Seven years ago, I had three novels published as print on demand, and a couple of days ago, I published a novel, (The Eternal Chain) with Lulu, after recieving my copy of ABC's, Let's Start Again. If the book is acceptable to me, I will consider publishing more of my other fourteen novels with them. Lindzz, I would complete your novel before starting on other projects. Welcome to this great site and good luck with your writing.

 

Thanks for your input - not sure what the 'ABC's Lets' Start Again' is, so I will check that out now. Is print on demand the same as self-publishing? Please excuse my ignorance. Regards Lindzz
Let's Start Again was a competition hosted ny ABC Tales in which the entries were published in a book. No, print on demand is not self publishing. Instead of printing a large batch of books for a relatively unknown author, the publisher prints the book when it is ordered. I made very little money from the three books, but it was still a rewarding experience.

 

Aah, I see - thanks for the clarification. Will also be keeping an eye out for future competitions!!
Hello Lindz, Personally I would advise you not to publish online if you think you might want to go down the traditional publishing route with the ms sometime in the future, be it with one of the Big Boys, or a small Indie. Publishers are not fools and will check authors and titles sent to them. I run a small, traditional independent publishing house, and get many mss submitted. If the book has been published in its entirety online, or self-published (by Lulu, say) or published by a vanity press (iUniverse, for example)or by an 'author mill' (such as Publish America) I'm afraid I won't touch it. http://www.ukauthors.com
Thanks - good to know!
I'd like to point out though, that's there's nothing particularly wrong with going down those routes if that's what you want to do (and Lulu for example is excellent, and great value for money), it's just that if you do, you'll probably scupper your chances of landing a deal with a traditional publishing house. http://www.ukauthors.com
After extensive converstions with the a number of agents and major publishers they, by and large, tell me that a whole novel on here would be no bar to publication - and if it got ecstatic feedback then that would help in their considerations. They would, of course, expect it to be taken down by the time it was submitted to them - and you would tell them that the 'first draft' had been up on ABCtales and had the following feedback. However different publishers say different things - but that is the view of the vast majority of them. Cheers, Tony
Thank you very much for your comments Tony - I just wasn't sure if putting my whole book on this website would actually have a negative effect on any future attempts I might make at getting it published the old-fashioned way. Right now, I'm just glad that people outside my family are getting the chance to read my work, and if I get feedback, that's a bonus. Regards Lindzz
Quite right Tony. I wasn't so much talking about posting on websites such as yours and mine (after all, most 'completed' works are not that at all, but in early stages, and would need much editing and polishing before submitting to a publisher). As mentioned above, I meant more published in complete form (paperback and/or hardback) by the likes of the estimable and very worthy Lulu, which obviously means the book is 'out there' and the initial push is lost. You have no idea of the number of mss I get sent which, when checked, turn out to be in book form already. In fact, to illustrate your point, our latest book (due for release soon) was first published in chapters online, although on release it will bear little resemblance to the original (online) work. However, I'm not sure 'ecstatic feedback' from an online website would have much influence on a publishers decision as to whether or not to accept an ms, although it's always worth a try :) Sorry if I've confused the issue, anyway! http://www.ukauthors.com
Linzz, From the perspective of getting comments and reviews of your work (which I guess is one of the main reasons for posting) I would not recommend posting large sections of your writing. I have limited time to do this and when I see vast amounts of text it is a de-motivator. I also understand that I may not be representative of the majority. My take home message is to give a little flavour of your work and let the clamour for more begin! Scratch.

 

Yes, thanks for that - my plan has always been to post the first 3 chapters (the same as I would normally send out in manuscript form to potential publishers/agents) and then see what happens, although I may add one more for luck! Appreciate your input. Lindzz
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