Pulling Back from the Publishing World

This past week I have decided to pull back from the publishing industry and writing for the time being. I will still be writing, but I am not going to keep up the crazy pace that I have had for the past two years. Of course I still have several re-releases and completed manuscripts to get out there, so I will still be publishing. I am however going to be very picky who I work with. Lately I have really been seeing the ugly and negative side of the publishing industry, at least the indie publishing industry. Lots of authors are backstabbing and users, not all of course as I do know several sweet and supportive indie authors and I will continue to support them as much as I can. Even in some writer's guilds there are people who are so negative and mean-spirited that I am walking away from at least one, losing the money I paid but I cannot let others dictate my writing, my life, or listen to meanness for meanness sake. That goes for small publishers too who are negative towards their authors or whom don't pay their authors on time. This is a business and professionalism is all I ask for, not pettiness. Sadly I see more of the later lately.

Over on my facebook page I have cut many authors from my "friends" list as they only contact me when they need something from me, want my help, and never return it when I have a release. I have also had to deal with a lot of opinionated people in the publishing industry that think just because we work in the same field that they can comment on my own life. Some authors have posted their personal political ideals on my page. No that is not okay. A pa/marketing person tried to talk about how I take care of my dogs just because they wear harnesses during the day. Hello, it is the law where I live to have my dogs on leashes when I take the out. It's not cruel. Hell I just paid hundreds of dollars to keep my dog healthy last week, so this lady can just step off. Same person also posted nastiness on my page, which I have no time for. I could go on and on. Some people in this industry are just too pushy with their opinions in others lives. No one is perfect, so I think they should focus on themselves.

Another reason for pulling back is just the sad fact that fewer and fewer people are reading now days. This summer's book sales have been downright depressing after a pretty good spring. I simply need to go out and find a part time day job to make up for the lack of books sales. It's reality and I am okay with it, especially at this time in my career. First I think I will be happier getting out of the house and interacting with people some. Second, all the stuff I mentioned above.

I can never walk away from writing and publishing all together. It is part of my blood, but I can slow down, lessen the stress on myself, and be very careful who I work with. Right now the health and happiness of myself and my family is what I am going to concentrate on most.