Leia Shaw's Blog: Leia's Writing - Posts Tagged "self-publishing"
Inspiration
My second book, A Destiny United, is almost complete. I'm very excited about it. My writing has improved by leaps and bounds.
I was inspired by a conference this weekend by my local Romance Writers of America where I met the bestseller Eloisa James. She was the keynote (very funny!). I have to admit I've never read her work. I mostly read paranormal (I'm sure you can figure out why), but since she gave everyone a free copy of her latest book I'll be cracking it open soon.
Also there was Jessica Anderson (Nightkeepers author, about 2012 and the end of the world). Annette Blair was there with her new book (Vampire Dragon), I bought a signed copy and I'm excited to read it.
Bestseller Kristan Higgans did a workshop on 10 mistakes in characterization that had me looking over my manuscript (don't worry, we're clear).
Anyway, I met lots of published and unpublished authors who were inspiring in their own ways. The only thing I wish I saw more of was self-published authors. It seemed like the general consensus was that self-published authors as a whole...well...suck. Okay, maybe I'm being too harsh, but there definitely wasn't a feeling of respect. I understand literally anyone can self-publish and there is mucho crap out there, but to finish a book is a feat in itself and as writers, we should be supporting each other no matter what the venue.
i talked to several aspiring writers who have been at this for years. They've been rejected over and over by publishers. I asked if they ever considered self-publishing? All of them looked like I was crazy. I guess it's not for everyone. I hope that as publishers get pickier about backing new authors, and the market changes with the times, self-published authors (at least the good ones!) start getting more credibility by other people in our field.
One can only hope.
I was inspired by a conference this weekend by my local Romance Writers of America where I met the bestseller Eloisa James. She was the keynote (very funny!). I have to admit I've never read her work. I mostly read paranormal (I'm sure you can figure out why), but since she gave everyone a free copy of her latest book I'll be cracking it open soon.
Also there was Jessica Anderson (Nightkeepers author, about 2012 and the end of the world). Annette Blair was there with her new book (Vampire Dragon), I bought a signed copy and I'm excited to read it.
Bestseller Kristan Higgans did a workshop on 10 mistakes in characterization that had me looking over my manuscript (don't worry, we're clear).
Anyway, I met lots of published and unpublished authors who were inspiring in their own ways. The only thing I wish I saw more of was self-published authors. It seemed like the general consensus was that self-published authors as a whole...well...suck. Okay, maybe I'm being too harsh, but there definitely wasn't a feeling of respect. I understand literally anyone can self-publish and there is mucho crap out there, but to finish a book is a feat in itself and as writers, we should be supporting each other no matter what the venue.
i talked to several aspiring writers who have been at this for years. They've been rejected over and over by publishers. I asked if they ever considered self-publishing? All of them looked like I was crazy. I guess it's not for everyone. I hope that as publishers get pickier about backing new authors, and the market changes with the times, self-published authors (at least the good ones!) start getting more credibility by other people in our field.
One can only hope.
