Guest Post- Lori L. MacLaughlin- Reason #57 Why I Chose To Self-Publish

Today I am welcoming one of my cohorts from the Insecure Writers Support Group to talk about her reason to self-publish- and show us her brand new book!

Welcome Lori L. MacLaughlin!

Reason #57 Why I Chose To Self-Publish

Okay, just kidding. There really aren't 57 reasons, but there are quite a few. This particular reason stemmed from a writers' organization meeting I attended two summers ago. At that time, I was on the fence, trying to decide between continuing my pursuit of publication along the traditional path or veering off down the less-traveled road of self-publication.

The speaker, a mystery writer I'll call Agatha, talked about her experiences leading up to the publication of her novel. She'd written the story from two points of view, with each chapter alternating between the female and male protagonists, who eventually become lovers.

Agatha was delighted when her manuscript was accepted. Her agent/editor (I forget which) loved her story, but told her she'd need to ditch the two-POV style and write it from just one person's POV. Agatha agreed to do this and rewrote the book to the new specification.

Not long afterward, things didn't work out, and she ended up going with a new agent/editor. This person also loved the story, but said Agatha should go back to her original idea with the two points of view. So Agatha rewrote the book a second time to fit this new agent/editor's recommendation.

Her book was eventually published in its original, alternating-chapter format. She has since published a second book in the mystery series, also in this format. Both have garnered mostly four and five star reviews.

Now, I don't know about anyone else, but I don't want to have to change my story to fit someone else's vision. And while I realize this may be an extreme case, it can happen. It did happen.

Everything in publishing is subjective. What one person likes, another doesn't. What if my story was accepted for traditional publication and I didn't agree with the suggested edits? Or worse, what if I hated the cover? How much say would I have in these matters? I couldn't imagine working all those years crafting my story, only to be disappointed in the results.

I thought about what I would have done if I'd been in Agatha's position. Would I have rewritten the book? Honestly, no. It wouldn't have been worth it to me. If I couldn't have kept the story true to my vision, I wouldn't have wanted it published at all.

That's why I chose self-publishing — one of the reasons, anyway.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost

Lady, THY NAME IS TROUBLE

Trouble is Tara Triannon’s middle name. As swords for hire, Tara and her sister Laraina thrive on the danger. But a surprise invasion throws them into chaos... and trouble on a whole new level. Pursued by the Butcher, a terrifying assassin more wolf than man, Tara and Laraina must get a prince marked for death and a young, inept sorceress to safety. There’s only one problem – eluding the Butcher has never been done. Aided by a secretive soldier of fortune, they flee the relentless hunter.

Gifted with magic and cursed by nightmares that are all too real, Tara must stop an army led by a madman and fend off an evil Being caught in a centuries-old trap who seeks to control her magic and escape through her dreams – all while keeping one step ahead of the Butcher.

Lori L. MacLaughlin traces her love of fantasy adventure to Tolkien and Terry Brooks, finding The Lord of the Rings and The Sword of Shannara particularly inspirational. She's been writing stories in her head since she was old enough to run wild through the forests on the farm on which she grew up.

She has been many things over the years – tree climber, dairy farmer, clothing salesperson, kids' shoe fitter, retail manager, medical transcriptionist, journalist, private pilot, traveler, wife and mother, Red Sox and New York Giants fan, muscle car enthusiast and NASCAR fan, and a lover of all things Scottish and Irish.

When she's not writing (or working), she can be found curled up somewhere dreaming up more story ideas, taking long walks in the countryside, or spending time with her kids. She lives with her family in northern Vermont.

Lori L. MacLaughlin

Social Media Links:

Website/Blog: http://lorilmaclaughlin.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28853366-lori-l-maclaughlin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoriLMacLaughlin

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lorimaclaughlin/

Twitter: @LLMacL