Wednesday, February 18, 2015

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 :).



17 comments:

  1. *thumbs up* I totally hear you, and good for you for picking your path!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Loni! :)

      Marie-at evil day job, can't get online

      Delete
  2. You go girl! I think you are so incredibly brave and yes, just a bit of a control freak. But this is your book, your baby. And I think you are making smart choices that will get you to where you want to be with your career as a writer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL- Good of you to notice, Cyndi! ;) But thank you, we have to do what's right for our babies!

      Marie- at evil day job can't get on blogger :)

      Delete
  3. Lets be honest here. How many people really believe that someone else can run their lives better than they can themselves? There's nothing wrong with being captain of your own ship or steward or your own destiny. In fact, when put into words the way you have, a person who wants to control the destiny of their own creative work sounds pretty sane to me.
    Way to go, Marie,
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL!!! I'M SANE?!!! OK, you don't mind if I have that comment printed and framed, right ;). But thanks, Sharon, and thanks for coming by the blog and commenting!

      Delete
  4. It's fun to be willing to see and explore new paths as they come up. There are several paths to publishing now, and several ways to find and build an audience that is the right audience for you. I've been really enjoying my self-publishing journey, but for me, I also know that I'll continue to be open to the right opportunity in traditional publishing, and other new opportunities as they are created/discovered. And that, to me, is the best part of independently publishing - truly being my own boss. Now, like you, Marie, I need to give myself a little more grace and "room" so I don't make myself nuts along the way. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, Kitty. We all have paths, and they will all be different :). Right now traditional publishing doesn't sound like my path--but a few years down the road, who knows? :). Yes, avoiding going nuts is a good idea, I need to work on that :). Thanks for coming by and commenting!

      Delete
  5. Yay! Somebody who feels the same way I do. I'm looking forward to reading the Glass Gargoyle. Best of luck reaching your goals!
    I wanted to let you know I nominated you for a Liebster Award. You can find the details here if you choose to accept it: http://lorilmaclaughlin.com/2015/02/20/celebrate-the-small-things-and-the-liebster-award/
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you on both counts Lori!

      Sorry I didn't see this until now!

      Delete
  6. I don't think caring about the font on your swag (or any other little detail) makes you fussy, I think it makes you someone who has a real chance at indie publishing success. Best with your new book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Carla! Sorry I didn't see this until now. I hope you're right!

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  7. Love this! I agree! I admit I want to have books published as a hybrid author - indie, small press, and one of those big houses - but I purposely have published my first several books independently. I didn't query them. I did research, and then I decided. My dream is to have 50 hybrid books (published various ways) by the time I'm 80. It's kind of a huge, crazy dream, but there it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVE that huge crazy dream, Tyrean! I'm rooting for you to make it to 51 books at least :). Sorry this response is late and thank you for coming by the blog.

      Delete
  8. And, btw, I'm in my 40s now, so I think the 80 benchmark makes the crazy goal more doable. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just thinking about all the stuff you're doing and plan to do makes me exhausted. Good luck. Your editors will never get any sleep.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL!!! Thank you, Ken! If I don't sleep, no one sleeps! Mwhaaaa!!!

      Sorry this is late and thank you for coming by!

      Delete