Adri Sinclair's Blog - Posts Tagged "publishing"
Why I write.
It is every writer's dream to have a book published, and it is probably every writer's dream to hit it 'big'. I never dreamt of either those things, in fact... quite the opposite.
Eight months ago, I sat down and started writing Hidden Carmina - it was meant to be a short story. It was not meant to be read by anyone - but my long suffering husband of 20 years started getting worried.
"What are you doing?" He asked, two weeks after I started writing. So I told him. It was the first time I didn't read to him out loud, page by page, the moment I am done writing. He insisted that I do. At this point, I was only half way through the story and still had no idea where it was going, or what I am doing for that matter.
My Aunt caught wind of this, and as always she insisted on reading everything I write.
One thing lead to another, family and friends started getting involved, suddenly I had 60 people reading as I write! [At the time, I did not know the term 'beta reader'!] Some helped by pointing out flaws and mistakes, others simply cheered me on.
One year on...
Hidden Carmina is in the top #100 on Amazon for kindle & top 13th most dowloaded Epic Paranormal Romance novel on Smashwords.
To add to that, I have written 5 novels since [busy on 6th], published poetry, and have a casual agreement for a Fan-fic web story [my gaming habits came in handy!] based on Eve Online. [Thank you Kyle Pollard & Crew!]
https://offworlders.com/?product_cat=...
https://offworlders.com/rocket-the-ul...
But Hidden Carmina is the child of love - and because of that, I hope to forever keep this book free to read. Unfortunately, I've had to turn down three publishing contracts because of this. It was 'all or nothing' deals; Hidden Carmina, however, is not for sale.
In the mean time, I connected with amazing people and groups. Feedback on my work and the support I am getting is tremendous! I managed to secure a proofreader/editor in the form of Rosie Manson, and my new covers are done by none other than my brilliantly creative daughter and her new company & crew!
I often get asked: "Why do you write, if you don't want to sell your work?"
This question is cropping up more and more, along with: "How did you do it?"
The answer is two-fold and very simple.
First part is straight forward:
I write because I want to. There is no reason, no drive, no other motive behind it. I write... because I want to.
The second part is harder to answer:
I have no idea. I sit down every day, and write. When I'm done, I spend a lot of time and energy talking about the works I've enjoyed reading, or the people I met.
I've done marketing for so long, and it will always be a job - I am not ready to start working again. Not yet. I am sorry if there is no 'secret' to share, and no 'fix' to offer. I simply sit back and let things flow how they must - and continue writing.
I think the Self Publishing industry is littered with gems for the picking, and it is such a shame to watch people walk all over that, without regard.
How can YOU, as a reader or a career professional help?
Acts of kindness.
Send the writer a note if you can help them with any aspect of their journey; or just a 'thank you' helps so much.
Write a review of the work you've enjoyed - of course, apply generously the cliché: If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing.
When you see mistakes in an e-book, let the author know... it is easy [even with editors] to miss the small critters in the works, no matter how many times you pass them through the hands of 'experts'. [J.K Rowlings herself attest to that!]
Share the information - it does not matter what age we live in, but word of mouth is still powerful - In the digital age we move in, word of mouth translates to social media... Spread the word. Let those who will listen hear the news!
Support, support, support - you never know when YOU may be the one needing the support in a campaign. Authors have other jobs too, knowledge you may find come in handy a little later.
These are simple things, barely will it take a few minutes of your time - heck, you can do half of it while standing in line at the shop, or wait for that printer to finish your copies.
This is my plea... this is why I am writing this silly little, grammatically incorrect and simple note today - Support a writer, because stories are to be told, there will always be someone willing and able to read it and understand it.
To those becoming discouraged by the rejection letters or the low figures on your sales, or the rude and spiteful comments about your work, I offer this:
Let them chew through your skin, lovelies - when they're done, let them run into your backbone! Chin up, straighten up and don't give up.
That is my story today, and my pledge continues.
Hidden Carmina, will be free:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Carmin...
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Carmina-...
Thank you, to those who read this, and those who encouraged me to speak my mind.
Sincerely Yours.
Adri Sinclair
Eight months ago, I sat down and started writing Hidden Carmina - it was meant to be a short story. It was not meant to be read by anyone - but my long suffering husband of 20 years started getting worried.
"What are you doing?" He asked, two weeks after I started writing. So I told him. It was the first time I didn't read to him out loud, page by page, the moment I am done writing. He insisted that I do. At this point, I was only half way through the story and still had no idea where it was going, or what I am doing for that matter.
My Aunt caught wind of this, and as always she insisted on reading everything I write.
One thing lead to another, family and friends started getting involved, suddenly I had 60 people reading as I write! [At the time, I did not know the term 'beta reader'!] Some helped by pointing out flaws and mistakes, others simply cheered me on.
One year on...
Hidden Carmina is in the top #100 on Amazon for kindle & top 13th most dowloaded Epic Paranormal Romance novel on Smashwords.
To add to that, I have written 5 novels since [busy on 6th], published poetry, and have a casual agreement for a Fan-fic web story [my gaming habits came in handy!] based on Eve Online. [Thank you Kyle Pollard & Crew!]
https://offworlders.com/?product_cat=...
https://offworlders.com/rocket-the-ul...
But Hidden Carmina is the child of love - and because of that, I hope to forever keep this book free to read. Unfortunately, I've had to turn down three publishing contracts because of this. It was 'all or nothing' deals; Hidden Carmina, however, is not for sale.
In the mean time, I connected with amazing people and groups. Feedback on my work and the support I am getting is tremendous! I managed to secure a proofreader/editor in the form of Rosie Manson, and my new covers are done by none other than my brilliantly creative daughter and her new company & crew!
I often get asked: "Why do you write, if you don't want to sell your work?"
This question is cropping up more and more, along with: "How did you do it?"
The answer is two-fold and very simple.
First part is straight forward:
I write because I want to. There is no reason, no drive, no other motive behind it. I write... because I want to.
The second part is harder to answer:
I have no idea. I sit down every day, and write. When I'm done, I spend a lot of time and energy talking about the works I've enjoyed reading, or the people I met.
I've done marketing for so long, and it will always be a job - I am not ready to start working again. Not yet. I am sorry if there is no 'secret' to share, and no 'fix' to offer. I simply sit back and let things flow how they must - and continue writing.
I think the Self Publishing industry is littered with gems for the picking, and it is such a shame to watch people walk all over that, without regard.
How can YOU, as a reader or a career professional help?
Acts of kindness.
Send the writer a note if you can help them with any aspect of their journey; or just a 'thank you' helps so much.
Write a review of the work you've enjoyed - of course, apply generously the cliché: If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing.
When you see mistakes in an e-book, let the author know... it is easy [even with editors] to miss the small critters in the works, no matter how many times you pass them through the hands of 'experts'. [J.K Rowlings herself attest to that!]
Share the information - it does not matter what age we live in, but word of mouth is still powerful - In the digital age we move in, word of mouth translates to social media... Spread the word. Let those who will listen hear the news!
Support, support, support - you never know when YOU may be the one needing the support in a campaign. Authors have other jobs too, knowledge you may find come in handy a little later.
These are simple things, barely will it take a few minutes of your time - heck, you can do half of it while standing in line at the shop, or wait for that printer to finish your copies.
This is my plea... this is why I am writing this silly little, grammatically incorrect and simple note today - Support a writer, because stories are to be told, there will always be someone willing and able to read it and understand it.
To those becoming discouraged by the rejection letters or the low figures on your sales, or the rude and spiteful comments about your work, I offer this:
Let them chew through your skin, lovelies - when they're done, let them run into your backbone! Chin up, straighten up and don't give up.
That is my story today, and my pledge continues.
Hidden Carmina, will be free:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-Carmin...
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Carmina-...
Thank you, to those who read this, and those who encouraged me to speak my mind.
Sincerely Yours.
Adri Sinclair
