Go Indie or go home!

When I started writing back in 2009 (only eight years ago) there was basically three avenues to getting your stories into the marketplace.  Submit to a publishing house, get an agent or vanity press.  All three approaches were difficult, time-consuming and to a degree expensive.

I was fortunate to a degree and got published by a small shop. It gave me a sense of accomplishment, some cache and the ability to say, I am a published author.  While at the time it seemed like a big deal, the reality of it all was “so what?”

Jump into the time machine, press the go forward button and now look at us.  Having our work bought, imprinted is not such a big deal anymore. Oh sure, you still have the snobs that look down at the Indie writer. Like they are different, something special, but in truth, they aren’t.

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The reality is, no matter if you go independent and self-publish or have your story bought by a publisher, you still have to do all the hustling.  It is up to you to have a marketing plan, to get out and hustle your books, deal with the editor and copy editor. Then hassle with the cover art department.  Funny thing is, after all, that you still aren’t guaranteed any success.

But there is one difference, CONTROL.  Once you find your way off the cloud of elation, get your feet back on the ground, you slowly see your creation, your baby, being gobbled up by the editor or even your agent.  Something changes, and often it is not subtle.  Your creative effort, that vision you worked, bleed over for a long time, sometimes comes out looking very different that what you had in mind.  In effect, you die the slow death of losing control.

That is where being an Indie Author rides supreme.  You get to keep that control. Hell, if I am going to have to do everything to try to sell it, why should I give others the ability to change my creation?

In today’s market, it has gone beyond creative control.  Publishers are dying slow deaths everywhere.  Sure the big houses reign supreme but the mid-level and small market are shrinking.  Several houses have closed and now All Romance has announced they too are closing.  They will join Ellora’s Cave (Reported to close at the end of the year), Jolly Fish, Booktrope and the on and off again Samhain issues.

None of those names will fracture the industry. But for the writer, it is tantamount to a tsunami.  It is almost paralyzing when you consider do I get my owed royalties? What happens to my rights?  Other questions then begin to bubble to the surface, and the effect is you the writer, become immobilized (After you go through all the steps of “what the hell” happened).

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Being an Indie writer, you don’t need to worry.  There are plenty of talented editors, copy editors, cover designers out there to help you. Sure you have to dig into your pocket but you maintain control over your creative endeavor.  No one can take it away from you, it is all yours.  The best part? You and you alone will make your book successful.

Having done both, experiencing the ego rush of bragging, “I’ve been published”.  The reality is that the readers don’t care. If you engage the readers, listen and interact with them, soon enough you as an Indie writer will have a following of die hard fans.

That is what matters, having people that enjoy your stories, not a publishing house imprint.  To that end, I want to thank all my readers for their support and loyalty.

That takes care of the year-end rant!

Heading into 2017, here is what will be happening in January.

First off, at the end of the month, I will be heading to the Dominican Republic for vacation.  It has been two years and so looking forward to being on the beach again!!

On the 14th, I will be part of a Take Over on Facebook. It is the “Dirty Dozen BDSM Play Party for Alone by Drew Sera (a good friend).  There is a great lineup of authors, and I am honored to be part of it. So mark it on your calendars. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/386517675029187/

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On the book front.  The four box set of the Dark Desire series is on sale at both Amazon and Smashwords.  It is priced at $1.49 (normally $2.99).  Here are the links:

Amazon http://a.co/7hQQspo

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

New book update.  As I mentioned I am going to give the Dark Desire series a break and write something different.  It will have that same dark edge to it, but our heroine will be facing some serious choices that challenge her core as a woman.  It is called, Running Blind. A mystery in the hard-boiled sub-genre.  One other thing is that I am writing it at Wattpad.  So you can read along and leave comments. Here is that link: https://www.wattpad.com/297782833-running-blind-trapped-part-one.

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There is a part two now. So take look and would enjoy the feedback, even if it is bad.

The last item, later in the month we will have an interview, with that salacious erotica writer, Jeanna Pride.

Have a Happy New Years, be safe out there and see you next year!