Marilyn Vix's Blog, page 26

A Brave New World is Dawning In 2014 For Self-Publishing

A brave new world is dawning in 2014 for the self-published author.

I’ve always liked being a rebel. I’m a bit of a control freak. I’ve been self-publishing since 2007 with another genre. I’ve sat at the back table of writing conferences working on craft, and networking ideas with other authors. Most of the time, I hear lectures of the old traditional process of the publishing industry. The old school of making a book is preached again and again.

The thing that kept me going is the fact I don’t give up, and a fabulous community of self-published authors at the Writer’s Cafe message board on Kboards.com. I run to my self-publishing brethren that punches each others arms, post writing threads to beat out 1K a day, and marketing tips and algorithm discussions about the Big A (Amazon).

But something is happening this year. The winds of change are starting to surface. I think the world of publishing is starting to take notice of the little bohemian group of writers that are making self-publishing work.

Thankfully, I’ve been taking notes, and trying out some of the ideas. This last year, I started writing in a new genre. Write more, write more, start a new pen name and build the love of your readers. OK, pushed the button on that. Now what?

I would suggest starting with a book called Write. Publish. Repeat by Sean Platt and John B. Truant. The ideas I recognize from discussions on Kboards.com and at the back tables of conferences. It was developed from Sean’s and John’s Podcast show on self-publishing. The information is amazingly fresh and forward. Ideas like keep writing, funnel your readers, and be in it for the long term give me hope. I made a right choice over 5 years ago. The more I write, the more I’ll make over the long term.

But wait, there’s more. Today, the overlord and general hero of the community bohemia of The Writer’s Cafe on Kboards.com published a blog post about what he’d do if he was the CEO of HarperCollins. His name is Hugh Howey. Hugh has impressed me before, because he champions self-publishing. There’s been a year of screaming from the mount that this way of publishing works. But this time, it’s coming from someone that has proven it.

Hugh wrote Wool as a serial that took off. Of course, it is a good book. Add a traditional publishing deal, movie in the making with an European book tour and you get an idea of what I’m talking about. He’s making self-publishing work for him, and this is just in the last year.

Thankfully, he’s still coming back and visiting on the board. He’s a bit of a celebrity regular now, but he is still modest. No really. Plus, a couple of things have stuck with me for what’s he’s mentioned in posts on the board. The fabulous thing is that he’s still giving advice and even started a project in which a lot of regulars on the board are creating an anthology for charity. But the good ideas haven’t stopped there.

Hugh created a list of ideas that might shake the foundations of publishing. If you’d like to see his original post, here is the link to: Don’t Anyone Put Me In Charge. I’ve listed some of the highlights that I think are going to blow the traditional publishing community out of the water.

He starts with several suggestions to help give a foundation of artist community to authors. “1. The first thing I would do would be the most important, and that would be to form a community among my stable of HarperCollins authors.” So true. I agree, I have watched the magic of creativity form on the Writer’s Cafe board for several years now. I’ve been affected and benefited by the artistic community it creates. Plus, show monthly sales and pay royalties monthly is suggested. Most self-publishers love this freedom. I know how many books I sell and take home 35% or 70% depending on the price point of my book through Amazon. Not to mention being addicted to checking sales daily. There is nothing like seeing your book selling in Japan.

“Like the editors. We’re going to save the editors (and hire more) and get rid of the sales reps.” Really, I agree with Hugh here. Get rid of the huge overhead so publishing houses can keep up with the speed of change that the 21st century can allow for innovative ideas. The brave new world of self-publishing will create a bigger bookstore on-line not to distributors for books. Yes, in 10 years, books will mostly be in the hands of the older generation. I see the eagerness of young ready for ebooks. It will happen.

Hugh suggests moving the publishing house to Houston out of New York. “Business will be conducted much as it already is: by email.” Really, who wants to live in New York right now? Florida? California? No snow? Houston? Lower costs will help everyone.

These are just a few ideas I gleaned in the dawn of this new age of publishing. I am excited to be on the ground floor to witness the innovation at hand. Hopefully, with effort, hard work, and a little luck, I might be able to eventually retire. But until then, I’m ok with waiting 10 years and writing those good books to earn royalties after decades of the day job. After all, the biggest thing I’ve learned as a self-published author is to be patient and keep writing. There is hope in the distance, and it’s called the digital age with self-publishing the key to a writer’s success.

Listening To The Inner Muse

Take a break to listen to the inner muse.

There is a fact that happens after each New Year’s Eve. The questions start. What will I expect from the New Year? Will I write the best seller? Why isn’t my books selling better? Can I write a new genre? Will I get a good review?

Well, sometimes, you don’t know. You’ve got to step away, and just let it happen. But you just can’t write that good book. Your inner muse has to synthesize it for you. The only way that can happen is time. Give it all time. Walk away, and do something else, and the inner muse will speak.

I’ve been kicking the idea around for a NA Romance. I had several ideas in mind, and they weren’t connecting. I worked on another project for awhile, trusting the inner muse would connect the dots somehow.

Then one morning, I woke from a terrifying dream involving one of my past friends from those good ole’ college days. I woke with the thought, “She didn’t die that way.” Struggling with the horrors I’d been dreaming, I thought, “But what if she did?”

The rest of the day, I went to the mall, mailed a review copy of my book, and tried to get to Office Depot for some ink cartridges. Literally, the images kept replaying through my mind. As I’m walking from one store to another, the dots connected. My real life experiences were drawn up into some powerful ideas until it all spit out as a plot, all while walking from Target to my car. Literally, I had to concentrate to drive, but I didn’t want the muse to stop.

I finished the last errand, headed the car home, and drove directly to my laptop. Getting as much written as I could, I started that NA Romance novel. The dots are connecting, and I can see it better. Somehow I trusted the inner muse to start it for me when she was ready. Trust is the biggest first step. It will happen when it’s ready.

Of course, this sucks when you got deadlines. But this is why I have different projects. Switching from one to another seems to unleash some subconscious explosion that will solve the problem when you least expect it. Sometimes that stop to take a moment, or do errands, can make all the difference.

First Review Happy Dance

There are milestones as an author. The first review is one of them. I woke up this morning to an email from one of the blogs I’ve emailed review copies. IndieReader.com has posted a review of my book. Did I make the cut? After months of work, here is the verdict.

“IR Verdict: Those who like their supernatural tales to be brooding and complex will not enjoy this story. However, readers seeking a relaxing and funny escape will enjoy NEVER MARRY A WARLOCK.”

-IndieReader Review December 26, 2013

It’s been rated 3 1/2 stars. It goes on to say that there is a promise of more tales with a sitcom quality to it. I so appreciate the honest feedback this review has given me. I am taking it all to heart to bring about the world that I envision. Let’s say, Vegas is turning out to be one heck of a playground for my witchy characters.

As far as the twist to the ending, I have to share my writing process here. I was writing the ending; thinking it was going to go one direction. Turns out the characters took over and wrote the ending. I literally turned into a spider on the wall. It was an amazing writing moment when you bond with your characters and they start to write the story. In the moment, bam. Something you didn’t expect, and the result is amazing.

I promise my readers that the second novelette is developing nicely, with lots of adventures in Vegas. There is an underground world of witches that is fun to build. Plus, something I love about Vegas. It is the town where anything is possible. I’ve scheduled with my editor, and it should release in May 2014.

Meanwhile celebrate with me in the first review. It’s been a long road, but it is wonderful to see this success before the close of 2013. I am looking forward to working on projects to make all my readers want more in 2014. *Raises chocolate raspberry port* Here’s to you, my reader. To a new year of promises and surprises from all of my characters. From my brain to yours. *wink*

Success One Day At A Time

Marilyn Vix looks back at 2013

2013 has been a year to not hold back. “Why not” has been my favorite catch phrase as it propels me into the realms of Romance writing. Really. The sound of Romance novelist rings within me. I stopped thinking about it, and did something. Now, I’ve got the first novelette published, second in process and scheduled with my editor. Nothing like a deadline to motivate. Plus, my Time Travel romance is half done. It’s been a good year to live the dream.

But has it been a success? It depends on how you measure success. I’ve sold copies enough to buy a couple nice dinners. I’ve got my novelette listed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.  I’ve got a blog/website started, and I’m building an email list and fan base. I’ve found some great writing advice on Kboards.com. I took the step off the cliff. That is something. It could be everything. You have to try.

I still have my day job. I promise you. I’ve almost quit twice in the last four months. But writing has kept me going. It doesn’t pay for the mortgage, yet. But I keep hearing the phrase, backlist, write more. Really, no product, no sales. So, that’s my plan for 2014. Write more. I’ve got two more planned novelettes in the series, and then I’ll bundle them all together. It’s all about bundles. But I have to write them first. Plus, the Time Travel novel might take another year, just with finishing and editing.

Sometimes I wish I wrote faster. But, at least I write. I try. I keep writing, and look forward to next year, full of fans, sales, and more books. Nothing is stopping me but myself. It started with the jump off the cliff. I’m feel like I’ve hit the ground, running.

$1.00 Sale from Dec. 23- Jan. 6, 2014

***For a limited time, buy Never Marry A Warlock at Allromancebooks.com for $1.00.

Cyber Monday Promotion-50% Off

50% off at the All Romance Ebook Website from Nov. 26-Dec. 3.

Load up the sleigh the easy way. Start with a discounted ebook. Never Marry A Warlock is 50% off at the All Romance Website bookstore. Start off  Cyber Monday shopping loading up the your ereader for a loved one or yourself. This limited special started on Nov. 26th and goes until Dec. 3.

Remember, there are times when you just need a good book. Myself? I’m working on writing the next one. Of course for me, the best way to spend the holidays is writing, writing, and writing. Be assured, there is more to come. Happy Holidays from Marilyn!