My Way or the High (Culture) Way?

One of the big decisions to be made in having written Phineas at Bay--I can say that because the second draft has come back from my peerless editor, Karen Clark--and the end of the drafting is nigh--was how to publish.

Or, shall we say it differently--to seek an agent, and to try to break down doors, and to go through the traditional path with my Victorian novel, or, to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by self-publishing, end them?

My first instinct was: Do it. Cut the Gordian knot, and self-publish.

Now, I'm generally one for believing my gut instinct. But I also hedge my bets and seek advice. I spoke to several friends who are published novelists,met another, and all of them spoke as one: Unless you're a star or the new hot thing, there is almost no support to be had from a publisher. Do it on your own.

Phineas at Bay has been a pleasure to write; did I really want to turn it into a source of anxiety and stress, seeking an agent to get a publisher to maybe get it out in a couple years?

But what of the claims of high culture? The publisher's role as gate-keeper, and all that?

All that, of course, seems to be falling even as I write.

Still, I'm interested in any thoughts, feedback….

And watch this space!