For an author with a debut novel, one who is yet without a reputation, publishing the second novel can be a daunting task. But I discovered after publishing The Tailor’s Needle that with some effort from the author (on the Internet) it does become possible to establish a reputation. The process can take anything between a year or two but it does happen if one has worked in that direction. Therefore instead of just spending all one’s effort in writing or publishing the second novel, the author should try hard to boost the sales of the first. The second has a time and place of birth that is pre-decided in the heavens. No amount of effort to publish the second will lead to a quickening of its birth. There will be spells of rejection and dejection and then a feeling of nihilism in the author.

The novelist has worked hard in its conception, incubation and delivery into the world, before it is published and this makes him get anxious, that it sees the light of day. Handling this anxiety is one of the more difficult stages in a novelist’s life. I think that the publication of the second novel is the stage that sets a novelist rolling. This is the time when one has to fight defeat and depression. One must not cease being creative in this phase, for creativity will be therapeutic. But the desire to create the third novel and publish the second should be balanced by the desire to sell the first. The sales figures matter to the publisher of the second and then the third novels. It is the novelist who makes the effort. Publishers will do that only for already famous authors, people who have come into the limelight for good or bad reasons.

A personal blog, Facebook and Twitter are the biggest boons for the author after the first novel is written. AuthorsDen.com can also be helpful. Use these to their fullest is what I advise my younger colleagues. Too many sites on the Internet can take up too much time and energy. Therefore only the best should be tapped. The golden rule then is to work for the sales of the first, not be overenthusiastic for the second and to put in some time in the making of the third.