If you've never been published before, you're an 'unknown quantity', so you're going to have difficulty selling your first novel.
('chiefly US') The 'big unknown' [=the important thing that everyone would like to know] is how investors will react.
A 'fear of the unknown' kept her from changing jobs.
(..) to go alone? Would you take someone with you? Is that someone sure? Is she cut out for the unknown? Sometimes the unknown will disappoint you. If I told you that I loved you, would you take it the wrong way? What do you mean (..)1996 Foxfire