C.M. Simpson's Blog, page 158

Writing Life: Is Indie Worth It – A Novice’s Point of View

So, earlier this week, someone asked me if independent publishing was “worth it”, and I had to sit back and take a good look. I’m not making anywhere near what I would call a living wage, so I thought about it:

My first response was this: Well, it's not a get-rich-quick scheme. And it's a lot of work. Ask me in twelve months’ time when I haven't been neglecting the release schedule. Sales plummet when releases aren't regular, and short work doesn't sell well. If I had to weigh profit against effort right this minute, I'd say no. If I were to take into consideration the sales when I *was* putting things out or writing regularly, I would say I could work towards a living in the young adult and romance genres in the next five or so years. So, now, I'm working at maintaining a regular release of short work, getting the young adult back on-line first, and then following with a mix of novel-length dark fantasy and romance, but I also write under different pen names, and that means it can take longer to make a living wage. I don't expect to be doing that for around five years, and could be looking at up to ten. I also need to get better cover art, but I can't afford it, so that could slow things down until I have a day job again... *if* I have a day job again. All the research I've done, indicates making a living is possible if you put in the time and the effort, and that time to making that wage varies between 5-10 years of consistent effort (and could take longer)... and consistency has been my bugbear. You'll never know if you don't give it a shot.
And then I sat back and thought about it some more, and said this: Oh -forgot to add - being able to enjoy my writing, being able to write what I like, and not having to stress about a mythical market, THAT makes independent publishing worth being mocked for not having a traditional contract, being accused of publishing yourself because you're not good enough, being treated like an outsiders by other writers. ALSO not having to worry if my work will ever see a reader, or how long it will remain available to readers, or if I am being stiffed on payments by publishers THAT makes it worth it. Making 60-70% on my cover price and not 7-25% THAT makes it worth it. Controlling my own release dates, my cover content, and being able to correct any glaring faults without having to worry about waiting for someone else to do it THAT makes it worth it. Owning my copyright and knowing my book will be able to readers for the life of that copyright THAT makes it worth it. So, yeah, independent publishing is worth the effort, every single time.
And I’ve been asked similar questions over the Christmas period as well, so I’m still thinking about it, and I still come back to the fact I haven’t really been publishing like a pro in the last two years, so I’m not seeing the results I might, and that’s okay, because that’s what the next three years are about – getting my act together and actually writing and publishing like I mean it, instead of like maybe I want it, and maybe I don’t, and maybe...
And that takes me back to thinking I really can’t answer the question. Because, usually when someone asks the question ‘is it worth it?’ they’re not asking if I find the satisfaction of publishing my own stuff worth the effort of putting it out there; they’re asking if I’m making any money off it. I haven’t been doing what it takes to be successful from a wage-earning point-of-view, so I really don’t know. Let me get my writing and publishing organised, instead of the haphazard way I’ve been doing things, and then I’ll let you know.
For now, my answer has to remain that it’s worth it to me because:
I can enjoy my writingI can write what I like rather than trying to force stories into an imaginary market moldI can be assured that my work will be available to readers, no matter what I writeI can be assured that my work will be available to readers for as long as I want it available (and maybe longer – it is the internet, after all)I can release my work according to my own scheduleI know how much I should be getting paid and can check on that amount – there are no hidden publisher or agent expenses or deductionsI can correct any glaring errors once I’m aware of themI own all the rights of my workI retain the ownership of all the rights of my work AND I retain ownership of my copyrightI have overall control of my cover contentI have control over what platforms my work is available on – usuallyI can be assured Book 1 of any series I write will still be available in print and in ebook when I release Book 6I control the pricing
As to whether or not I can make a living from my work… well, I believe it’s possible, provided I don’t disappoint my readers, but it will take time to get into the habit of doing the things that will keep them, hopefully, happy.
Ask me again, this time next year.

Progress Report: Week 4, 20-26 December, 2015

A busy week, this week. In between Christmas and family and other stuff, writing got done. This is the level of publishable words I want to be doing each week—including after university goes back. The level of formatting and editing will drop once I have the next twelve months’ worth of releases up and out, as will the level of cover creation… maybe. In the meantime, it’s going to be a very busy five weeks, and I am having a blast.
Enjoy your writing, folks!
Overview
New words produced: 14,242
Old words revised: 0Outlines and Notes: 1,178Works completed: 0Works revised: 0Covers created: 1Works published: 0Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 1Bloggery: 2,902University Prep and Assignments: 0
Story-A-Week Challenge Update
Completed: ShortStory473—The Sevarine Sidestep to be sent out for submission.
Holiday Extension Challenge Update
Completed: Chapbook14I—Legacy of Hope (Wheelchair Adventures #2) for an April 2016 release.
Publishing Tasks
Created 3 blog posts for this blog;Created 3 blog post for the C.M. Simpson Publishing blog;Created 1 blog post for the C.M. Simpson Art and Photography blog;
New Arrivals
Nil

COVER REVEAL: C.M. Simpson: Short Works from 2014, Volume 1

This week, I received this cover for the short works I worked on in 2014. This is the first volume of that collection, and it will be released on January 2, 2016.
Short Works 2014 - ebook cover
Short Works 2014 - PoD large print cover Short Works 2014 - PoD mass market cover





















Last year’s anthology consisted only of the short stories and poems worked on, created re-written or published in 2013. This year’s anthology consists of all the short stories and poems that I created, or discovered in my files and rewrote in 2014, including the pieces from 365 Days of Flash Fiction and 365 Days of Poetry that have already been included in Volumes 1 and 2 of last year’s collections. The tales and poems are taken from completed anthologies, and anthologies to come, from my blog, and from my notebooks. Most are published, either individually or in a collection, but some are scheduled for release at some time in the future. I have also included one short story written under the pen name, Madeleine Torr.
This year’s anthology is three volumes long, and has been roughly divided by the genres of the stories, poems and pieces of flash fiction that each contains. Once again, the pieces are arranged in dative order. This volume is focussed on mostly speculative pieces touched by darkness, with a single piece of romance from my alter-ego.
This is also the last year I will be including unpublished work in the annual collection of short work. The 2017 releases will only have work that was released in the years the collection covers—or work released previously that could not be included in another collection due to contract restrictions.
A Warning: These pieces might not be what you’ve come to expect from reading my longer works, as my short pieces form the playground I use to explore ways of putting words on paper to create different effects, or to investigate new concepts and ideas. These pieces might not share the same tone, register, genre or flavour as some of my other work, but I hope you enjoy them, all the same.

Progress Report: Week 3, December 13-19, 2015

Wow – I can’t believe I left you guys alone for so long—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to neglect you like that. So, this is last week’s progress report, which should have come out Sunday. I got a little sidetracked editing and writing. Who knew? Anyway, here’s what was achieved in the second-to-last week of December, 2015.
 
Overview  New words produced: 6,733Old words revised: 0Outlines and Notes: 3,704Works completed: 0Works revised: 0Covers created: 1Works published: 0Works submitted: 1Competitions Entered: 0Bloggery: 6,442University Prep and Assignments: 0
Story-A-Week Challenge Update
Completed Seppelitus
Holiday Extension Challenge Update
Started Rocky Rides the Space Range, but did not complete.
Publishing Tasks
Created 9 blog posts for this blog;Created 4 blog post for the C.M. Simpson Publishing blog;Created 2 blog post for the C.M. Simpson Art and Photography blog;
New Arrivals
Nil

Why Another 12 Months of Poetry and Flash Fiction

I can see you asking the question, even as I prepare this year’s collections for release, and it’s a good question. It’s a question I often asked myself. I can’t really explain why I want to inflict my very short stories and poems on the world, except that I love writing them. I love knowing I need to write at least one of each every day. I create the excuses to write them every day.

These short pieces have provided me with an age of pleasure and, over the last 24 months became something I could not imagine discarding from my day. And I’m not alone. There are plenty of other writers love their work and make a living from it. I think, way back in July, Dean Wesley Smith summed up the why of writing very well—that when you sit down to write “you are there to play, to have fun, to do what you want without caring”—and Kristine Kathryn Rusch said something that struck a chord with me, also—keep doing what you love and that she finds it essential to write.
These writers write because they love to write, and so do I. It’s why, even though I was raised to be pragmatic, to believe that writing wasn’t a ‘sure’ enough career to follow, that I never stopped writing, and why, now I’ve been given the chance to, I’m writing full time. It’s why I write so many different things and why I don’t want to stop playing with any one of them. I love writing.
And this love is why there’ll be many other collections of flash fiction or poetry in the future.
Because it’s fun. Because I can. Because I must.
Writer just gots ta write.

December, Learning, Heinlein’s Rules and the Story-A-Week Challenge

December has been a busy month. I’ve applied the lessons learned in my Back-on-Track Challenge pass-fail. Pass, because I’m back on track; fail because I learned I was being unrealistic in what I thought I could achieve, and realised I had to change what getting back on track meant. Pass, because I canactually achieve what I’ve set as publishing goals for next year. And, yes, it bothers me that I didn’t succeed in the goal as set, but I’ll get over it—too much else to get done to wallow in it.
And speaking of December, and making changes, and setting goals for next year, it’s important to try and plan ahead. I’ve cut my study load by one subject, since I can’t finish my degree any faster by doing the extra one, and I could better use the time elsewhere. I also rejigged my publishing schedule so I am taking into account the fact I am a full-time student and I need to improve my grades by about 10 per cent, in order to keep a future option open. I also had to factor in the fact that I have a small child, who needs a little extra time in the early school years—and  acknowledge that the publishing side of things takes time, and I’d been focussing on writing and neglecting that side of things. Finally, I realised I had to start working on my health; if you don’t have that, you can’t do anything well.Anyway, the new publishing schedule started out with the idea that a bi-monthly release schedule for 2016, followed by a monthly release schedule for 2017, was reasonable, coupled to the idea that I should be planning releases twelve months ahead. All this meant the work loading changed. The pressures on writing and publishing decreased as what I was aiming for became possible. They’re a challenge to get on line, and I only have until mid-January before the study kicks in again, but, with a little effort it can be done.Now, is definitely a good time to be setting up what you want to achieve next year. And I was pretty pleased to see Dean Wesley Smith post about it last Friday, since it confirmed that I was probably on the right track. So much of this business is trying to work out what works for you, that it’s always nice to find a common factor that seems to work for others, too.Why am I stalking Dean, you ask? Because I’m not stalking him; I’m following some advice about writers needing to learn, and he and Kristine Kathryn Rusch have been making a living from their writing for a very long time—and they’re generous enough to share their experiences. They’re also not the only people I stalk follow. Kids learn from adults. Aspiring chefs learn from chefs. Singers learn from singers. Writers learn from other writers and the world around them. Always learn, apply what you learn, admit your mistakes, don’t be afraid to fail, learn some more—and write, always write.As part of my learning process, I’m following Dean’s December series on Heinlein’s Rules. Heinlein’s First Rule ("you must write") helped push me in a direction I’d been toying with, and the Story-A-Week and Holiday Extension challenges were born. I look at my publishing schedule and I fear I won’t make the goal, but I’m going to try anyway, because fear needs to be faced, and, in this case, proven wrong.Heinlein’s Second Rule is “you must finish what you write”, and Dean blogged about that last Wednesday. It’s something I’m going to build that into my Story-A-Week challenge. I’ll start this challenge by finishing the short stories I’ve started. There are a few from my Story Match challenge that need completion, and I’ve been wanting to get back to Seppelitus for the last three months, so that’s a good place to start, and helps me move towards another goal.Building your writing habits and learning doesn’t have to take away from your time spent writing. By that, I mean, it doesn’t have to be an additional chore. Everything you do, can help move you forward, and it should—or you’ll just be taking on stress when you don’t need to, and a stressed-out writer doesn’t write as well as they might.
Happy Writing, Folks.

RPG Writing - Where to Start?

I don't think I've written anything for an RPG since I was published by Raging Swan Press, a while back, and I haven't had time to play, for a while, either. I've been focusing a lot on my other writing, so I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to start here. So I'm going to ask you guys:

What are you interested in seeing in this space?

What's your favourite system? Fireborn? DCC? Open Licence stuff? D&D 5th?

What would be useful to you? Monsters? Locations? A Mini-Adventure?

Would you like to see different terrain types explored? Different monster ecologies? Different genres?

Let me know.

I'll start thinking about the next entry, but it would be more fun to write if I knew there was someone interested.

The Story-A-Week and Holiday Extension Challenges

Well, I was wondering what I was going to challenge myself with next, and this one has been sitting at the back of my mind, so when Dean Wesley Smith mentioned this in his third chapter of Heinlein’s Rules book, I decided it would be a good way to push myself into what I was contemplating with, anyway: to write one short story a week, and submit it, until I needed it to fill a hole in my publishing schedule. Also, until the semester starts next year, I want to try and write a Carlie chapter book each week. That should keep me fairly busy, as I have to do the publishing side of things as well. So:

The Story-A-Week Challenge
The Challenge: Write and submit one short story each week for the next twelve months. 
Story-A-Week Start Date: December 13, 2015. Story-A-Week End Date: December 17, 2016. 
Short Story Addendum: This does not include flash fiction. Each short story must be between 1,500 and 12,000 words long.
The Holiday Extension Challenge
The Challenge: During the summer break, and the mid-semester break next year, write one Carlie Simonsen chapter book each week, and have it uploaded for pre-ordering within six weeks from completion. 
2015 Summer Holiday Extension Challenge Start Date:December 13, 20152015 Summer Holiday Extension Challenge End Date:February 15, 2016 
Mid-Semester Holiday Extension Challenge Start Date: May 28, 2016Mid-Semester Holiday Extension Challenge End Date: July 16, 2016 
2016 Summer Holiday Extension Challenge Start Date:November 20, 20162016 Summer Holiday Extension Challenge End Date:December 17, 2016 
Holiday Extension Challenge Addendum: Each chapter book must be between 3,000 and 12,000 words long, and be within the tween and young adult age range. Uploading involves developing a cover, appropriate editing, and formatting.
And the good news is that both these challenges move me towards getting my publishing schedule into shape. For those of you asking after novels—let me get this on-line first; novels are next.

Back-on-Track Challenge Wrap-Up

Way back in August, I started the Back-on-Track Challenge whose sole aim was to be back on track with my publishing and writing by the end of the year. Along the way, I learned a lot, about the time I had, the time it took to do things, and the demands of the things I had committed to, the priorities of what I’d committed to, and the challenge checkpoints changed—as they were always bound to do.

Did I fail? If you look at the checkpoints I didn’t hit, then, yes, I failed, but, if you look at the overall goal, then, no, I didn’t fail. And I succeeded in ways I didn’t know existed.
Successes:

Discovering the real demands of my activities: in other words, I had no idea of the real time and effort my studies would require, or what my family would need, or even the real time it would take for me to design covers or write the poems, short stories, flash fiction and other things I was writing. I also discovered exactly how tricky some of those short-piece collections can be to accurately format. I had to reassess what could and couldn’t be done, based on all those things, because my estimates were way off;Discovering my limits and capabilities: I had no idea what I was really capable of doing, or what I wasn’t. I didn’t realise I was still recovering emotionally from what had happened the previous year, or that those events had taken a physical toll, as well, or that the stress was still affecting my ability to study—yes, up to twelve months later. Once I did, I realised I had to be a lot nicer to myself, and give myself a break. I prioritised this thing called sleep, and this other thing called exercise. Both took away writing and publishing time, and both were more than worth the time they took.Revamping my goals and expectations to fit my lifestyle: I am a mother and wife studying full-time, and I haven’t been well. The first bit I already knew; the second came as a bit of a shock. I had to build in time to heal. I cut my publishing expectations back to one item every two months for 2016. I’ll try for more (I always do), but, while I’m pulling a full-time study load, I’ll be happy with one release a month from any one of my writing heads.Revamping my goals and expectations to address stuff I found I wasn’t getting right: I’d been writing and releasing. I didn’t want to hold anything back from the market, any longer than I needed. This led to a tendency to rush, and a complete lack of ability to create a regular publishing schedule. Regular releases are important. Being able to tell when something will come out is just as important. Building in time to edit and format accurately is vital. I decided I needed to build a publishing schedule, and give myself more time at the production end of things. You’ll notice that in the altered release schedules listed in the original challenge. These are a result of wanting to establish a regular publishing schedule.Submission of short stories: I decided I wanted to submit my short fiction to professional markets. I’ve wanted to get back into this for a while, and, with a longer lead-in time on the publishing schedule, I could. This is the reason behind the altered release dates for the short stories below.

What were the original goals? I’ve listed them below, and what results were achieved, not achieved, or altered.
Back-on-Track Challenge—Original Goals:
Design covers for, edit, format, and upload the following:
Completed:
YANovel26—Pyrie: This novel was finished and ready for release by its scheduled August 2015 release date, but it deals with a very sensitive topic, and I’m not sure if I can release it.ShortStory474—Hammer and the Trolls: was released on August 14, 2015—on schedule.

Rescheduled:SciFanNovel1A—Freeman’s Choice: was rescheduled for release in July 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was September 2015.ShortStory479—Miss Delight’s Mistake: was sent out to a variety of markets, but has been rescheduled for release in August 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was September 2015.Annual25A—C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2014, Vol. 1: has been rescheduled for release in January 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was October 2015.ShortStory480—Tischa’s Rescue: was sent out to a variety of markets, but has been rescheduled for release in June 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was October 2015.Annual25B—C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2014, Vol. 2: has been rescheduled for release in March 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was November 2015.ShortStory481—Melerom Joins the Dance: is currently under submission. It will be rescheduled for release in 2016, if it is rejected. Its original release date was November 2015.Annual25C—C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2014, Vol. 3: has been rescheduled for release in May 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was December 2015.ShortStory488—In Service to the Pinnacle: has been rescheduled for release in March 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was February 2016.ShortStory493—A Legacy of Elves: has been rescheduled for release in February 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was April 2016.
Under Submission:ShortStory487—Autumnal Threat: is currently under submission. It will be rescheduled for release in 2016, if it is rejected. Its original release date was December 2015.ShortStory489—Earth and Lunar Dreaming: is currently under submission. It will be rescheduled for release in 2016, if it is rejected. Its original release date was February 2016.ShortStory492—The Taleteller’s Slumber: is currently under submission. It will be rescheduled for release in 2016, if it is rejected. Its original release date was March 2016.ShortStory501—The Heights of Winter: is currently under submission. It will be rescheduled for release in 2016, if it is rejected. Its original release date was May 2016.
Finish
Incomplete:Annual27—366 Days of Poetry: has been rescheduled for release in September 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was December 2015. This relieved the pressure to finish and it is currently complete up to July, with poems being added daily.Annual28—366 Days of Flash Fiction has been rescheduled for release in May 2016 as part of establishing a regular publishing schedule. Its original release date was December 2015, and then January 2016. This relieved the pressure to finish and it is currently complete up to February, with flash fiction being added daily.Annual1—365 Days of Zombies: was originally scheduled for release in April 2016, but will be rescheduled for 2017.ShortStory495—The Plain Magician: was originally scheduled for release in May 2016, but will be rescheduled for 2017.Annual26A—C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2015, Vol.1: has been retitled to C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2015 and 2016, Vol.1 due to an upcoming change in the way content will be selected. It is now scheduled for release in October 2017, and was originally scheduled for release in June 2016.Annual26B—C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2015, Vol. 2: has been retitled to C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2015 and 2016, Vol.2 due to an upcoming change in the way content will be selected. It is now scheduled for release in November 2017, and was originally scheduled for release in June 2016.Annual26C—C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2015, Vol. 3: has been retitled to C.M. Simpson: Short Stories and Poems from 2015 and 2016, Vol.2 due to an upcoming change in the way content will be selected. It is now scheduled for release in December 2017, and was originally scheduled for release in June 2016.ShortStory61—Seppelitus:will be submitted to magazine markets prior to being scheduled. It was originally scheduled for June 2016.
New Writing
Complete:Chapbook5E—Rocky and the Spacefarer’s Christmas: was released on December 4, 2015—on schedule.Chapbook5B—Rocky and the Great Teddybear Rescue: is complete and undergoing the editing and formatting process. It is on schedule for its original release date in January 2016.
Incomplete:DarkFantasy2B—The Priestess, the Prince and the Dragon’s Children: will be rescheduled for 2017. It was originally scheduled for January 2016.RomanceNovel1B—Nadine’s Story: will be rescheduled for 2017. It was originally scheduled for January 2016)YANovel9A—Andromeda’s Pledge: will be rescheduled for 2017. It was originally scheduled for February 2016)RomanceNovel14B—Sonia’s Story: will be rescheduled for 2017. It was originally scheduled for February 2016)YANovel1A—Trollbridge Summer: will be rescheduled for 2017. It was originally scheduled for March 2016)
On target but not complete:Chapbook5C—Rocky Rides the Space Range (February 2016)Chapbook5D—Rocky Touches Down (March 2016)Chapbook14I—Legacy of Hope (April 2016)Chapbook14J—Legacy of Hearts (May 2016)Chapbook3B—The Ribbondrake Mountains (June 2016)Chapbook3C—The Ribbondrake Riders (July 2016)
Did I fail? That depends on how you look at it. Checkpoint wise: yes. Getting my publishing and writing back on track? No. I’m now in a better position to move forward, and at a pace I can maintain without neglecting my other responsibilities. After all, if I don’t apply what I learned, I will never grow as a writer, and I will never improve. I can’t afford to not do either.
I’m starting a new challenge tomorrow. It will continue to move me forward, and reflects the focus on one writing head at a time. It’s slower than I want to go, but it’s achievable, with a little work. Wish me luck.

COVER REVEAL: Rocky and the Great Teddybear Rescue

You've probably seen this hanging around on my progress reports from this week, but here, officially, is the cover for the third book in the Otherworld Adventure seried: Rocky and the Great Teddybear Rescue :





















Rocky wakes up from stasis, and realises he’s nearly home, but he hasn’t been awake for five minutes when things start to go wrong. His little sister’s teddybear is missing, and it’s not the only thing. A cat has gone missing from the animals’ deck. And then his sister goes missing, too. Can Rocky find her, and maybe Teddy and the cat, before the ship arrives and all three are lost forever?

Rocky and the Great Teddybear Rescue is the third book in the Otherworld Adventures series, which is set on Rocky’s journey to the new world, where his parents will farm alongside the aliens who have asked them to help.