How self-publishing launched the career of novelist Agnès Martin-Lugand

INTERVIEW

Four manuscript submissions and four refusals.

When Agnès Martin-Lugand completed her first novel, 

in 2012, no publishing house wanted to publish it.

But the novelist did not let down and decided to go through self-publishing.

She explains in 

how this rather fashionable way of publishing a book allowed her to gain an audience and finally attract the attention of the publishing house Michel Lafon, in which she publishes 

, her ninth novel.

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It was when Agnès Martin-Lugand had her first child that the idea for her first work came to her.

“I worked on it for two years and wanted it to exist, one way or another,” she recalls.

"I wanted to take on this personal challenge that I had set for myself."

However, the four publishing houses to which she offers the book do not follow.

"They recognized qualities but nothing followed."

"In three weeks, I was number one in sales"

The novelist then decides to rework her book and to self-publish in digital.

"I wanted this book to exist," she explains.

Even if it means selling it only 98 cents on Amazon.

“I put it online at the end of December, and I ask my friends and family to be nice and buy it,” she smiles.

From the first night, his book entered Amazon's top 100.

“Three weeks later, I was number one in sales and Michel Lafon contacted me,” she is still surprised today.

Michel Lafon published in 2013 the paper version of the novel 

Eight years later, this first book sold 110,000 copies in its main edition and 625,000 in paperback.

These very good sales have changed the life of Agnès Martin-Lugand.

"I can, every year, offer new stories to readers. I have the chance to do a passionate job and to be supported by my publishing house", rejoices the writer. 

his ninth novel, is published in the same publishing house.