Becoming a hybrid author is
something I’ve wanted to do since I started writing with publication in mind. I’m
happy to say that, three years and five traditionally published books later, I’m
finally taking the plunge and self-publishing. It’s a scary plunge and
one that I wouldn’t do without the encouragement and support of a great group
of people. Plus a lot of thought—yeah, there was a lot of thought that went
into this too. Most of the time it was just that—thought—and no concrete
planning. Two weeks ago, I got the push I needed to finally go indie.
That push? Well, it was the Big 5
saying thanks but no thanks to a submission that is near and dear to my heart.
It was one publisher saying, yeah, okay, let’s make huge changes and we’ll talk
again. It was me feeling for the first time that I didn’t want to make those
big changes. I wanted this book to stay real. Intimate. Close to how it was
meant to be. So I said, “no,” and my lovely agent said, “self-publish,” and I
said, “yes!”
This doesn’t mean I’m against being edited. Not at all. All of my traditionally published books have
gone through heavy editorial and I LOVE the stories they became. But this book…this
book wasn’t one I wanted to chop and stitch back together. I like the
rawness of it and the story it has to tell. Fear aside, I weighed the option
to self-publish vs. heavy editing and resubmission, and came up with five
reasons going indie was right for me:
Scheduling
I write fast. This means I almost always have a book either completed or nearly so. Trying to
juggle editing, proposal writing, submission, editing, resubmission, etc is
even more frustrating when you’re ready to put out another book, but you’re a
slave to a publisher’s schedule. The book I finished a year ago, may have to
wait another year before it ever goes into print. Self-publishing a series
means that I can add book releases in between my traditionally published
books. This can give me a well-paced stream of books so I have several coming
out per year, versus maybe only one. Great for my readers, and great for me!
Income
The above publication schedule
means I’ll have a steadier income flow, versus waiting months and months in
between releases. I don’t know about other authors, but my books tend to drop
off in sales about 6 months after release, which thins the royalty flow. Being
able to put out a few more quality books not only pumps up the flow, but also
helps build my backlist of titles. I have no great expectations that going indie
is going to make me rich, and I’m not even looking at it that way. I do,
however, expect that it will build upon the income stream that my books are
already generating, and that’s the point.
Creative Control
I’m not much of a control freak,
but there’s something wildly exhilarating about being able to choose my own
cover, write my own blurb, and decide when my book will be published. No waiting
months for a publisher to decide when to release my book. No cringing a little
because I really don’t like the cover my publisher made…and trying to swallow
it down because I can’t change it. I can lower or raise the price if I want to!
I can have a flash sale, or become part of a boxed set, or whatever. Because
the control is mine. All mine. Creative
freedom is also a nice perk. Maybe I feel like writing something ‘out of the
norm’ or ‘edgy’ that might not fit what publishers are looking for right now. I
can still write it, get opinions on it from my agent and critique partners, and
publish it. No house editorial approval needed.
Great Support
I can’t emphasize enough how much
my support network means to me, and what a huge role they played in my decision
to do this. I belong to a kick-ass writing group of experienced indie authors,
best-selling traditional print authors and everyone in between. Among us are
cover designers, copyeditors and two authors with absolute mad skills in
developmental edits. I have a professional team at my fingertips, and I’m so
grateful. In addition, having an agent and family on board with this next step
are crucial too, because I always have somewhere to turn when I need help, have
a question, or just need reassurance. I would never consider putting a book out
there that wasn’t professionally developed and edited, and with my support
group, I don’t have to.
Growth
Developing technique, refining
your natural voice and learning the industry are all parts of being a
professional author. I consider going indie another avenue in learning and
growth. You know what? Maybe I’ll realize that self-publishing really isn’t my
thing. But as least I tried, and that’s what counts.
So there you have it! I’m one of
many taking the step from traditional to indie, and I’m excited to be part of
the hybrid author community! What about you? Is self-publishing in your future?
COMING NOVEMBER 24th, 2014
***Please note this is a temporary cover. Final cover image coming soon***
“A gentleman would get
to know you patiently, intimately, before demanding anything of your
body. Tonight,I’m not going to be a gentleman.”
For wealthy
British surgeon Isaac Kimball, being the good guy comes naturally.
Caring for Chicago’s poorest fills his days and keeps his other side—the
dark one that craves sensuality and control—at bay. When Isaac is
prevented from saving a charity he loves, an acquaintance offers him a
proposition: transform a woman from the streets into a sophisticated
mistress who can pass in London high society, in exchange for the
charity’s salvation. A ridiculous suggestion until he realizes he knows
the perfect woman—one with an understated sexuality and sharp wit that
continually tempt his control.
Mila DePardo counts the days until
she can get off the streets and put her criminal past behind her. When
Dr. Kimball offers her a ticket out of hell and into the glitter of
London society, lying about her identity is easy. Until the chemistry
between them starts to crack her no-sex rule, and the pleasure of
Isaac’s touch changes everything she thought she wanted.
When the
truth starts to unravel and Isaac’s own secrets come to play, Mila’s
will and belief in herself is put to the test. She might win the
mistress experiment, but can she survive him?
