As a novelist, screenwriter, and public speaker, Les Zigomanis finds stories in many different places. As an editor and publications manager, he also knows how to help stories be found in publishing spaces. Over his career Les has published six novels, written four optioned screenplays, and worked in publishing for over 20 years.
His two-day workshop Navigating the Publishing Maze in October will help participants best prepare for their work forpublishing. He will also explore the myths and realities of getting published, some of which he shared recently in conversation with Writers Victoria’s Amelie Hughes.
Do you think your approach to storytelling has to change depending on the way you aim to be published?
While traditional publishing looks at how your book will fit in the market – and, consequently, how the book will be edited to fit into that space – self-publishing gives you the freedom to do anything, which means you can write anything.
Of course, that can be a good and bad thing. You can write unencumbered and unrestrained by genre, but that can also lead to mishmash.
There are pros and cons to both sides of it.
While traditional publishing looks at how your book will fit in the market … self-publishing gives you the freedom to do anything. – Les Zigomanis
Self-publishing can often be stigmatised. How do you respond to these stigmas?
Self-publishing was once seen as ‘vanity publishing’ – you were publishing to serve your own vanity. People thought you self-published because you weren’t good enough to be traditionally published. I’m sure that was the reality in some cases. But there are many reasons you mightn’t be published with a traditional publisher. Look at all the books that are repeatedly rejected but picked up somewhere down the line and become hits and/or win awards. Traditional publishing doesn’t always get it right.
Andy Weir’s The Martian was self-published. So was Lisa Genova’s Still Alice and Christopher Paolini’s Eragon. There are a lot of good books, and a lot of successful books, coming out self-publishing.
The key, though? Do it right.
How has AI changed the publishing landscape and what should writers be aware of?
AI’s made it a lot easier for people to attend to every facet of writing, editing, design, and publishing. Give it enough time, and AI will make it easier still. Things like Microsoft Word will inevitably have their own AI component.
Unfortunately, a lot of people use AI unethically, thinking it’s a shortcut – or, worse, a cheat.
Writing is the most personal, intimate form of expression there is. AI can’t replicate that, and it certainly can’t replicate it on somebody else’s behalf.
But you can use it as a tool. It’s great for things like research and admin.
Writing is the most personal, intimate form of expression there is. AI can’t replicate that, and it certainly can’t replicate it on somebody else’s behalf. – Les Zigomanis
You also offer advice and mentorship to other writers. What advice have you given to others that you find hardest to live by?
Be kind to yourself. Writing is hard. You can do your best, but you have no control over outcomes. It’s easy to grow disheartened, and to fall into negative self-talk. Be kind to yourself.
What advice do you have for first-time writers looking at different publishing models?
Research. If you’re submitting to traditional publishers, target ones that are the right fit. Give them exactly what they want. You’re not going to impress them if you don’t follow their guidelines. Following their guidelines shows them how professional you are.
If you’re looking at going indie, then do your due diligence. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are good people out there on both sides, but you might need to find them.
When in doubt, consult organisations like Writer’s Victoria.
Starting your publishing journey and not sure where to start? Join Les for his upcoming workshop Navigating the Publishing Maze.