IN-DE-PEN-DENT

Yes, the title of today's blog should be read in your very best Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer voice--when he first learns about being independent.  ;)

As some of you know, I have chosen the self-publishing, or as I prefer to call it, independent publishing, route. This is not by accident, or because I feel my books aren't "good enough" for New York. It is a conscious and willful choice. A friend of mine put it very well--I am deliberately independent.

I'm blogging about it today, because I am still running across people who think that those of us on this path are on it as a runner-up option. That all writers want to be published by NY as the end-all and be-all of writerly existence.

First off, every writer has their own goals and hopes. But that being said, yes, at one point years ago, I did want that.  In fact, years ago, that was the only option.  Then I realized that I was following that plan without thought. there was nothing beyond, "get an agent".

Then I started thinking about it.

And really looking at what was going on in the industry. I realized that those deep down held dreams (three books a year, full cover design control, title control, etc) would NEVER happen even if I got the most amazing agent in the world.

But, if I chose the Indie path I could do all of those things.

The more I looked into it, the more I realized that I COULD do this.  I have also realized that I have serious control issues that I never knew existed and that had I stuck with trying to go a more traditional path I would have driven myself, an agent, and any publishers insane. Seriously folks, you should hear some of the write-editor-marketing-publisher fights that go on in my head!  Madness I tell you!

So much a control nut, I've gone down to the point of being fussy about the font on my swag- think how I would have been about bad font on my BOOK that I had no control over? It would not have been pretty for anyone.

So, I am Deliberately Independent.  I am not self-publishing so I can get an agent or a "real" publisher (yes, I have had that said to me ;)), I am doing it because this is MY career. My game plan, insane as it sounds, is 12 books in 4 years. And my books aren't small, folks. I have about 30 balls in the air (along with a 40-hour a week day job) at any given time.  I have no week-end or off time right now. I have hired a cover artist, editors, formatters, and have badgered my wonderful friends for more help and feedback than I can ever pay back. 

And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Everyone has different paths in life, know yours and follow it :).