First Novel Survey Results
Data and Charts and Myths, Oh My!
Author Jim Hines has posted the informal results of his first novel survey, which tells you what happened to 247 professional authors on their first book sale.
his heart’s desireJim started collecting data in February 2010, and wrapped things up in March of the same year. Then he consolidated, parsed, and re-worked the data when he should have been writing. As much as I want to read more books by Jim Hines, I’m glad he made the time to share this information.
This survey about first novels was a personal project – he wanted to learn how new authors broke into the publishing business. From that data, Jim created many charts, and started busting some book industry myths, such as “you have to know someone” and “self-publishing your breakout novel”.
For anyone interested in becoming a professional author, I highly recommend you check out Jim’s survey. It is informative, enlightening, and should hopefully re-enforce things you have already learned through your own research.
Narrator: Look at this. Isn’t this so MythBusters? Jamie’s truck, flanked by the bomb squad and the paramedics.
- MythBusters
Apr 29, 2010
Categories: agents & editors & publishing | authors | writing
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