Wednesday, March 5, 2014

IWSG: Out of the Closet


Ok, not THAT closet, I'm still heterosexual ;).  Today I'm talking about my fairly recent decision to go Indie published.

 
Yes, folks, I'm going free range!

 
Some background.  I always envisioned myself with an awesome, amazing agent who sells my books to equally awesome editors.  Then going into a nice bookstore and seeing the amazing cover and title that I love on the shelf (face out of course ;)).

 
Over the years, as my writing skills have increased my belief in that dream has decreased. The publishing world is changing MASSIVELY.  But to be honest I question whether it was ever really a favorable situation for the author.  Except for the 1% group, those best seller, million dollar contract folks, most writers are treated not so great in the publishing cycle.

 
Small advances for their work, covers they hate and have no say in, horrifically binding contracts, limitation on the number of books per year, unreasonable changes to a story to suit a whim.  Basically, very little control or respect.  Now, before those of you lucky enough to have awesome editors/publishers start yelling- YES there are exceptions. ;) But they are becoming fewer as the industry itself changes.

Every time I’d hear or read about another series of editors-behaving-badly (or agents) I was making another “tic” in the “hmmmm…maybe self-publishing might be a better idea” side.

But I still had fear.  That’s a lot of work to do it right, and I plan on doing it right.  There’s also a fair amount of money involved in doing it right-and I don’t have a lot of that sadly.  However, when I really looked at why Indie Publishing was only a “maybe someday” option I came up with two main reasons: Vanity and Validation.

I wanted to be able to say I had that awesome agent who sold my books to an awesome editor.  I wanted that validation to others that I was a WRITER, letters big and bold like on Richard Castle’s bulletproof vest in Castle.

But ya know what?  I AM a writer. I know I am, and in keeping with the validation theme enough professionals in the biz have told me so ;). The best person to provide validation to me is me.  If I’m pinning that hope on others I’ve given away some of my power.  So after really looking at things, and deciding my reasons for not doing it were kinda silly (the money and time aren’t- but they are workable) I decided to jump in.

My first publication date will be March 1, 2015 with the first book in the Glass Gargoyle series.  Books two and three will follow at 2 months and 4 months respectively after that.  In the year leading up I will be writing, improving my craft (always ALWAYS improving my craft ), saving money, developing a business plan, hiring pros to help out where my skills lack, and reading everything I can about self-publishing.

Making this choice felt so right the moment I did it.  This doesn’t mean that I’m turning my back on traditional publishing forever- but right now, for the next few years, I’m going Indie. As long as my business-self and my writer-self stay friends (and one doesn’t have to fire the other ;)) this should work!  At the very least it will be a seriously grand adventure.

 

16 comments:

  1. Stopping by to say hi and nice to meet a fellow IWSG participant. Good luck with everything. Your series sounds really interesting.

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  2. I went Indie this year and have no regrets. Best of luck to you!

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  3. Congrats! When you've got a plan anything and everything is possible. Good luck with it all and kudos to you for taking back the power!

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  4. Congrats on your decision! Sounds like you have a really good plan. I pushed back my publication as well, and I'm happy to take this time to learn more.

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  5. I think you are going to rock as your own self-publisher Marie!!! I'm really happy for you that your books are going to get out into the world!

    You can do it!

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  6. Great post Marie! I'm feeling the same way for the same reasons. Still I'm working on the writing part. I'm not nearly as close as you are in the game, but I'll love following your adventure :).

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  7. I want to say, me too. I'm struggling right now to find an artist that can draw a Lindsey Kelk type cover (I heart ****). I wish you the best. Let us know when it's (their) out.

    Bob

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  8. I went Indie 2.5 yrs ago and don't regret it. I'm also trad pubbed so I'm a hybrid. Every writer has to figure out what works best for them and their books. Best wishes.

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  9. Congrats on the decision! It seems like a pretty solid plan! Let us know how we can support you!

    AJ @ Naturally Sweet
    An A-Z Cohost
    @ayjaylauer

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  10. Good luck to you. I think you're spot on about validation. Sure, every writer wishes for an agent and editor and to see our books in stores, but is it worth it? Each of us has to decide for ourselves.

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  11. I love my Independent publisher! Leaving traditional publishing has worked for me. I enjoy writing again. Most of the time:)
    I wish you the best of luck!

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  12. Sounds like you made the right choice. I'm still a little ways off from publishing my first book, but I suspect I'll be self-publishing too. Keep us posted.

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  13. Congrats on making the leap! I hope you'll find great success with the decision. I've been indie pubbing for two years now, and I am so happy I did!

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  14. Marie,

    Good for you, girl. I know you were struggling with this. Glad you made the decision. You can't move forward until you decide which way to go. Here to help if you need it.

    Sharon

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  15. Thank you ALL! It is so wonderful seeing the support and words of encouragement. And to see folks who already made the leap and are loving it!

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