We Have the Choice!
I had the opportunity to speak at the Orange County RWA Meeting this week. I spent some quality time with my friend Debra Holland, and met several new friends I'm sure I will see over and over again.
I realized more than ever before that our world as authors has seriously shifted. We... authors... are making it known to publishers that without us, books don't exist. For a reader this might sound like a given. But authors for years have thought that without a 'publisher' they didn't have an outlet for their creativity.
What a crock!
Without authors there are no books...there are no movies...there is no written fiction. Yes, the process in which a book makes it to the marketplace used to take a village within a publisher's network...but not any longer.
I'm a huge advocate for self publishing...smart publishing. That isn't to say that I don't believe that a larger distribution that can be obtained with a publisher isn't smart for some authors...but if an author has a book that 'isn't quite right' for the mainstream public, should that book be forgotten? No! It should be published and read. Let the readers decide if it's readable or not.
I'm about to launch my 5th time travel novel... AKA Amber's story, Highland Protector. The offers I received for this series never gave me more money than I was making in a few short months on this series. I've been told that 'these type' of books just don't sell.
Well... the hell! No only do my readers love these books, every day my assistant and I are plagued with letters asking when the next book is coming. Amber's story may not make the NYT's... or the USA Today's bestsellers list... but it will continue the story I started telling four years ago and my readers want it. And by damn it will sell. Why? Because there are plenty of reader who want this book.
What makes the world of fiction so much richer now is the fact that so many books are published. Yes, some self published books should have stayed inside the authors computer...but some... holy hell, some reach the level of awesome many of us only dream of making. Those authors should be praised for breaking the ceiling of fiction.
I realized more than ever before that our world as authors has seriously shifted. We... authors... are making it known to publishers that without us, books don't exist. For a reader this might sound like a given. But authors for years have thought that without a 'publisher' they didn't have an outlet for their creativity.
What a crock!
Without authors there are no books...there are no movies...there is no written fiction. Yes, the process in which a book makes it to the marketplace used to take a village within a publisher's network...but not any longer.
I'm a huge advocate for self publishing...smart publishing. That isn't to say that I don't believe that a larger distribution that can be obtained with a publisher isn't smart for some authors...but if an author has a book that 'isn't quite right' for the mainstream public, should that book be forgotten? No! It should be published and read. Let the readers decide if it's readable or not.
I'm about to launch my 5th time travel novel... AKA Amber's story, Highland Protector. The offers I received for this series never gave me more money than I was making in a few short months on this series. I've been told that 'these type' of books just don't sell.
Well... the hell! No only do my readers love these books, every day my assistant and I are plagued with letters asking when the next book is coming. Amber's story may not make the NYT's... or the USA Today's bestsellers list... but it will continue the story I started telling four years ago and my readers want it. And by damn it will sell. Why? Because there are plenty of reader who want this book.
What makes the world of fiction so much richer now is the fact that so many books are published. Yes, some self published books should have stayed inside the authors computer...but some... holy hell, some reach the level of awesome many of us only dream of making. Those authors should be praised for breaking the ceiling of fiction.
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Me, too. I just wish I could find an image like this that I can use on the cover. Still looking.
I totally agree with what you are saying. I think it is wonderful that authors have the chance to express themselves the way they want their books to be. It is crazy that publishers still try to control what readers get to read. Clearly, readers do enjoy different types of books. I sent my book to a publisher, who wanted my hero to be redeemed earlier in the book than he was, but that simply wouldn't have suited my story. I didn't agree with her and have had plenty of readers tell me how refreshing and different my book is. I am happy that I have taken the Indie route so I can follow my instinct as a writer.
I am so happy to hear that Amber's story is coming out soon. I have been waiting for this book for AGES!!! Can't wait until it's out. I will be one of the first buying it. This series is incredible, so thank heavens for self publishing or I wouldn't have had the hours of enjoyment reading it. It may not reach NYT bestseller list, but it's top on my favourites list!
Thank you for keeping the magic alive and giving me a place to escape to.
BTW - I love the picture of Amber in her protective cloak.
Cheers Kate :)