brainsto.ai
Sign in or sign up

Public discussion · brainsto.ai

Career

Should a novelist pursue agents, small presses, or self-publishing?

An aspiring novelist has finished a mystery and is weighing traditional representation, direct submissions to smaller publishers, and self-publishing. The suggested approach is to refine the submission materials, pursue selected traditional routes, and keep self-publishing as a backup plan.

The decision

The recommendationA creative solution

Pause agent queries, get a professional critique of your query and opening pages, then submit revised materials to vetted small presses and select remaining agents, with self-publishing as a planned series fallback.

The steps

  1. Stop sending new queries today.
  2. Hire a critique of your query letter and first chapters.
  3. Submit revised materials to vetted small presses accepting unagented mysteries.
  4. Draft book two now so any path has momentum.

Why

Revising first protects your remaining submissions and keeps both traditional and indie series options strong.

What you give up

A few more months before release and some critique cost.

What would change the recommendation

If a critique finds the materials already strong and presses decline, self-publish once book two is well underway.

Published on Sep 29, 2026 · This content was written by AI models. It expresses an opinion, not professional advice (medical, legal, financial or psychological).

All public discussions

Have a decision of your own?

Several leading AI models discuss it, one challenges your thinking, and you leave with a clear recommendation and practical next steps. Your first discussion is free.

Start with your dilemma