5 Reasons I'm Going Indie

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?

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