Last year I decided for various reasons to go self-published. I gave myself a year to get my first trilogy ready to launch because I wanted the books to come out fairly close together (an advantage over traditional publishing and one as both a reader and a former bookstore manager I know makes readers very happy!).
That seemed like a long time- a year. 365 days. 52 weeks. No worries, I had a YEAR. Had now being the operative word.
My original plan was for the first book to launch March 1, 2015- The Glass Gargoyle will be out there creating havoc and strewing drunken faeries near and far. Back on March 1, 2014 this sounded awesome. Now, on January 7, 2015 it's kinda freaking me out.
I'm still moving forward, like I said before I am in edits for The Glass Gargoyle, almost done with the rough draft of book two (The Obsidian Chimera) and making notes for book three. Cover art is percolating with a professional, and battle plans are being made.
And this week I started really freaking out.
I keep saying, "next year when my books come out" in a case of subconscious denial that it's THIS year. I'm having heart palpitations at all the things still to do. I am having a nervous breakdown that after sooooooooooo long my baby drunken faeries book will be out in the wild and total strangers WILL. BE. READING.IT.
It's as if once that clock hit midnight on December 31-- and this became 2015 aka the year I take direct action for my publishing career--every freakout in my head has come to party and brought friends.
Now, I have to admit, I'm also very very excited. I really love this series, and I hope others do as well. But, this shit just got real now,and it's time to put my hard work out there, pull up my big girl panties, and do this thing! Freaking out or not.
Thanks for coming by- if you're interested in finding out more about the IWSG, and more very awesome blogs to read, please check it out!
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
good luck! I have over 20 books out and I still freak out with every single one, at varying stages of the process.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this time--the anticipation, the release, the celebration! Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I have a few books out, and every time, I get those pre-release jitters. Then the release panic and post-release freak-out. But it's all worth it.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking to release a novella in mid April and I've started to freak out as well. There is still so much to do on the story. Best of luck with your release.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a solid plan for your series. Enjoy this time.
ReplyDelete"Strangely enough, it all turns out well. How? I don't know. It's a mystery." Embrace the mystery and trust it will turn out well. You can do this.
ReplyDeleteI love it when a plan comes together. And you will too when the dust settles. Congrats. I'm sure it will be great. :-)
ReplyDeleteHere's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Celebrate the success of it. You accomplished your goal. Yay!
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Congrats! Indie publishing can be a lot of work, but I feel it's worth it to have complete control of your work. Just take it one step at a time.
ReplyDeleteThe end of a year brings the realization of goals missed as well as the promise of things to come. It's just as much of a rollercoaster ride as writing is. I'm anxious to see how your foray into self-publishing goes since I'll probably be going that route too.
ReplyDeleteNervousness is part of the fun. Okay, not really, but there is no way around it, so you may as well tell yourself it's a good thing. Best of luck with the launch!!
ReplyDelete"...every freakout in my head has come to party and brought friends." I love how you put that. Here's hoping they all wander somewhere else and your release goes well.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to be a great self-pubber Marie!!! :D And I think the freak out is normal... I get so nervous I almost feel sick every time! LOL
ReplyDeleteYou will be ok as long as you remember how much you love your story. That will help in those freak out moments. I wish I can say you stop freaking out once it's out there, but no, you don't. haha. Congrats and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Even thinking about publishing is nerve-wracking to me, but I'm pretty much in the same place about now. I seriously do this nervous hand-wringing thing. It's so good to know we're not alone. :)
ReplyDeleteI SO can't wait!!!
ReplyDelete:) Dabee
Good luck! It sounds like you're making exactly the progress you need to be, but I understand it's overwhelming and terrifying. You've got this!
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! You can do it! Give yourself a cheer.
ReplyDeleteThank you ALL! Seriously, I'm about to print out these responses just to remind myself that hey--these smart folks think I can do this. ;).
ReplyDeleteYou all rock! Writing is a solitary journey, but we don't make it without support from others.
Thank you again!
I think being a former bookseller gives you a definite advantage in self-publishing, as you know the ins and outs of the industry. You go!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Fingers crossed you're right ;).
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming releases!
ReplyDeleteI made the same decision last year and set an Oct deadline for my first book. I was totally freaked out, nervous, worried, obsessive... and then once the book was out, all I felt was a sense of pride that I actually did it! The fear that others would read it turned to excitement, and the idea of reviews, while still daunting, has become just another part of the biz.
I send the same wish to you that all the angst morphs into pride and joy. What an exciting time to be a writer!
www.CorinneOFlynn.com
YAY!! Thank you for letting me know you went through this and survived!
DeleteIf not for the last minute . . . I hear you, Marie! I, too, tried self-pubbing and meandered along in 2014 until I announced a release date of October. Then panic set in and the rush to wrap up the project as the months, weeks, days and last minutes ticked closer. But I made it! What seems like tons of time quickly becomes those last few grains in the hour glass if you don't watch it carefully. Will be looking for your books in 2015!
ReplyDeleteAnother success :). Seeing you folks who have made it really helps me stay a little more sane ;). Thanks!
DeleteCongratulations on reaching the pre-publication anxiety phase! My second book comes out this year and oh my, will I love it as much as my first? Will readers love it as much?
ReplyDeleteThere is only one way to find out and that is to polish our work as much as we can and put it out there.
Good Luck and happy New Year!
Yup- all we can do is our absolute best and hope it works :)- congrats on the birth of your second book!
DeleteCongratulations on the upcoming trilogy!
ReplyDeleteAs you said, you ARE moving forward... onwards and upwards... into battle!
Exciting times!
Thank you for visiting my place on IWSG day.
Thank you! I like the idea of going into battle- that's certainly what it feels like :).
DeleteWishing you the best of luck. Get a timeline together, with deadlines of what needs to be done when so that you're able to meet your target. It's better to launch when prepared instead of cobbled together just to meet an arbitrary date.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Oh trust me, I have lists and lists and lists!
DeleteHi Marie! Thanks for stopping by my IWSG post and commenting. Wow! What a deadline. Good for you! Seriously! It's a big decision to go self-published and it's one I'm seriously considering right now. Congrats on the courage and the go-get-'em attitude! Can't wait to read that you're PUBLISHED in MARCH!
ReplyDeleteCheers and great to meet you!
Jen
Thanks Jen! I'm a wee bit freaked out right now, but at the very least this will be an adventure!
DeleteThanks for coming by!
You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you. The Glass Gargoyle sounds like a fabulous read. Drunken fairies? AWESOME. I will definitely be checking it out come March. :)
Thank you Loni! I hope you check it out and love it! :). Thanks for coming by!
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