Some of you may have noticed on my Facebook and Twitter pages I’ve changed my avatar and made references about being a “ronin.”
For the record, a “ronin” is a masterless samurai. Like Usagi Yojimbo, the fantastic comic book series about a ronin bunny. (But like Watership Down, these are not cute funny kids’ stories. On the other hand, my daughter loves them.) To become a ronin, (as I understand it; I’m not totally versed in bushido) either the master has died or forced the samurai out because he disgraced himself. Then you have a very talented soldier beholden to no one. (Which to American ears sounds all rebellious and cool, but it was hard to get work or respect as a ronin.)
This is me looking on the bright side and trying to take a different look at my career. You see, I just lost my agent. My second agent. It wasn’t a bad separation; it was totally professional, just ended with a discussion on how I wasn’t writing the kinds of books she wanted to sell.
You know that saying that if you see three assholes jerks in one day, you should look in the mirror?* Yeah, I’ve been worried about that – if an author can’t jive well enough with three agents, perhaps the problem is the author. I’m two agents down, no professional sales to show for it. I worry that I would be damaged goods if I hunted for other agents right now. It’s important to disclose previous representation when you are on an agent hunt, and several I spoke with last time wanted to know why my first agent and I had split. Professionalism was so very important there. Now I have two failed agent relationships to explain.
But I have decided not to look for an agent yet. My projects this year are:
- Unnamed work for hire script (underway)
- Unnamed novella for hire (announced soon; begin writing in April)
- Get the Afterlife Series released in ebook and print (mid to late April)
- Write the next Marco and the Red Granny story (June-ish?)
- Write the next Afterlife Series novella (July-ish?)
- Write Playing For Keeps 2 (fall)
- Write unnamed novel if I have time (who knows?)
Currently I have a novel in with an editor that I know personally. If he doesn’t want it, I am thinking of sending it to other editors I know personally, which should help avoid slush pile hell. If I get an offer, I may query other agents to help broker the deal, but honestly, looking at my career this very moment, I don’t know if I need one.
Agents are great. I know people who swear by their agents, talk to them daily on chat, would not make any career move without them. I met a fantastic agent at WorldCon, a very knowledgeable and kind guy. But for me, where I am right now, and what I’m looking to do in 2011, I think the ronin way is the way to go. I’ve been busting my ass for six years, trying build an audience hungry for my work. And now I’m going to attempt to grow that audience, get more readers, and encourage people to buy my books. If I have to do that without an agent, or even without an editor, so be it. I didn’t have plans to be an independent author for the long haul, but it seems that’s where I am.
And surprisingly, I’m cool with that. I can’t wait to see what happens with the Heaven ebook launch. I am looking forward to writing the new content this year; I’m really jonesing to get back to the PFK world at last. And dudes, if I get to that unnamed novel, you won’t know what hit you. It’ll be the most intense stuff I’ve written to date.
I started out doing this on my own, and I’m back again, and strangely, feeling better than ever.
* Note I am NOT calling agents at large, or my former agents, assholes jerks – they were awesome and professional. Just saying if you have failed relationships over and over again, the problem may not be the other parties. It’s a metaphor, guys. Work with me.
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16 Responses to The Ronin
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There’s a reason you’re nicknamed “Mighty Mur,” and this is it. You’ve never wavered in your commitment to creating stuff for us to enjoy, regardless of the challenges or odds. Please know that we fans — both old and new — will remain equally unwavering in our support of you. Remain mighty, Mur.
Mur, please do not get this wrong: This is awesome news.
If anyone can go the “Ronin-way”, if it suits anyone, it is you. It may not be what other people do, or how “it is done” usually or what you have thought or liked, but you will rock at it.
What I (and I dare speak of many fans of you and your work) would like to see is a way to permanently support you.
I don’t use Paypal, but here in Europe/ Germany, things around flattr (https://flattr.com) start taking off. I strongly urge you to consider making your work flattr-able.
Head up, thumbs up, and a big grin and nudge over the ocean!
Go for it! As a reader/listener,I’m excited about the things you have planned.
Incidentally, thanks for the heads up on Usagi Yojimbo. I think my daughter will love it too.
What a great introspective and well-put post. I wish you, MM, the best of luck with your writing career. Your metaphor works well, as does the imagery of the Ronin.
[...] another agent after the one she had decided they should no longer work together. She likens it to being a ronin, a masÂterÂless (and often disÂgraced) samuÂrai. While that’s a romanÂtic image, I think [...]
[...] another agent after the one she had decided they should no longer work together. She likens it to being a ronin, a masterless (and often disgraced) samurai. While that’s a romantic image, I think she has [...]
I second all that J.C. said, and add my own slack-jawed awe at your bravery. Knowing that the “Heaven” series is coming to print has made me giddy. Knowing that you aren’t letting the business people that run things slow you down has me down-right inspired.
RockOnWitChaBadSelf!
You don’t write the books that they want to sell. So you don’t write mass-marketable pap. That’s something to be proud of, not fret over. The market changes, stop chasing it and keep writing while you let it catch up to you. When it does, you’ll have a lot more content to show when the world is ready for something interesting and new. Produce the work, the rest will come in time.
At least, that’s the message I take away from one of my favorite podcasters… Thank you for all your efforts, you’ve helped me get past the “I’m gonna” stage and actually complete some work. Now Bushido Bunny must become the student and hear the words of the master; “Get back to work, you should be writing!”
Hey, in the mean time, you won’t be subjected to “artist mapping” if you have a beer…
Inspired by you as always.
I second (third?) what J.C. Hutchins said. Just continue to be awesome and let the agents come to you when they’re ready to recognize said awesomeness.
Mur, I love your work, and can only offer you all the support a fan boy can. Independence is a challenging road. Someone who has your word skills and ability to tell tales should be able to carve a valuable niche for themselves. I am looking forward to purchasing dead trees containing your stories (I have the other versions).
Live long and conquer.
As will probably come as no surprise, I’m pleased and excited that you’re going this route, even if it’s just for the short term. It’s time to monetize Mur Lafferty, and so much the better if you keep the lion’s share of the take.
Your audience has shown wonderful preliminary support in their response to your Kickstarter campaign. Now you have a chance to grow that initial excitement into a habit of folks buying stuff you release, directly from you. I can’t wait to see what happens.
[...] not quite RPG-related, Mur at I Should Be Writing has struck out on her own in her writing career. Many of us struggling to get any writing done at all should use her bold [...]
Anyone who can bring a reference to Usagi Yojimbo into a discussion about agents rocks. If I wasn’t already following you, I’d have you say you would have gained another follower.
I do have one question for the ronin though… Will you still hire an agent/lawyer to broker the deals for you? Or will you negotiate yourself with the editor/publishing house?
BA, it depends on the situation, the deal, etc. I’m going to cross that bridge when I come to it. If I think I need an agent to play hardball or to increase my advance, then yeah, but if I think it’s unlikely, then I don’t see the point in looking for someone to represent me, handing over 15%, and then having the contract change little or at all.
Foreign rights sales, however, are a different story. I know Jack **** about that, and will likely look for someone to help with one of those deals, if they come around.
Yay, Mur! Just keep getting the content written and out there. It will all come around, agent or no.