Why I’m (Probably) Self-Publishing, and Why That’s Okay

There are gatekeepers to fiction.

For those of you unfamiliar with the writing world, literary agents are the first hurdle a writer must clear before attempting to publish. I can’t just send my manuscript to publishers like Random House or HarperCollins; I need an agent to represent my work and make those connections for me.

As of now, I’ve sent out query letters to 25 agents scattered across the United States. When I say “letters,” I mean it—most agents won’t accept a manuscript right away. Instead, they ask for a 200-500 word query letter that pitches the core idea of your book.

These query letters have to be precise. Agents want a specific format, a compelling summary, and a brief biography that outlines your writing credentials. Have you been published before? How many social media followers do you have? Why in the world should I trust you?

Once the letter is sent, many agents will also request 5-10 sample pages—the very start of your book—and will reach out if they’re interested in seeing the full manuscript.

I get why it works this way. Agents, like anyone else, are trying to make a living. They only want to take on a novel if they believe it can sell, and that means they can’t spend time reading through every submission. With hundreds, sometimes thousands, of query letters flooding their inboxes each month, they have to make quick decisions. But the process can feel frustrating when a book that thrives on rich character depth and intricate plot is boiled down to a 200-word pitch.

I recently listened to a podcast featuring two literary agents discussing their criteria for evaluating queries and sample pages. Both admitted that they don’t always look at the sample pages—unless the query letter intrigues them. If the letter doesn’t hook them, the pages go unread. Most of the time, their decision is made based on those first few paragraphs.

And then, there’s me—Kyle Farnworth. I have no prior writing credits, no books under my belt, and a small following on X (formerly Twitter)—currently sitting at 10 followers (shameless plug: follow me!). I built a website five days ago, which now sees about fifty clicks per day. Am I marketable? Will anyone take a chance on me?

Whalers is a phenomenal book. I couldn’t be prouder of it. It’s deep, introspective, and pushes readers to consider what it means to be human. My beta readers have been enthusiastic, many devouring the manuscript within a week and sharing how engrossed they were by the story. But I can’t help but wonder: does any of that matter these days? Even if I had The Great Gatsby hidden in my drafts, would it make a difference? If an agent receives a query letter from an unknown author with a tiny following, does the story’s merit even come into play?

“Dear Agent—The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby through the lens of narrator Nick Carraway. The story centers around Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws lavish parties in hopes of rekindling a romance with Daisy Buchanan, the love he lost years ago. As Nick becomes entangled in the lives of Gatsby and Daisy, he witnesses the tragic cost of Gatsby’s obsession and the corrosive effects of wealth on the human soul.”

“Hi Kyle—Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m the right person to represent this novel. Good luck with everything in the future and get your follower count up.”

It’s for this reason that I’ve come to terms with the idea that Whalers will most likely be self-published—and that’s okay with me. Self-publishing is a different kind of grind. As the author, I’ll also take on the roles of marketer, cover designer, and distributor, using platforms like IngramSpark or Kindle Direct Publishing. It means I won’t have the big marketing machine behind me, but I’m ready for the challenge.

I’m willing to put in the work. I’ll continue blogging here every day. I’ll share my posts with my 10 followers. I’ll reach out to reviewers and try to get Whalers into their hands. And yes, I’ll be shamelessly posting on TikTok.

I’ll keep querying. I’ll keep sending emails. But if I don’t hear the news I want to, that’s okay. People will read the book regardless. I’ll make sure of it, because I believe in what I’ve created, even if the agents don’t.

Wish me luck.

Whalers is set to release in early 2025. Stay tuned for updates, including the cover reveal, coming in late November or early December.