Transparency, Integrity, and the Fight to Balance It All While Going At It Alone (Well, Not Totally Alone)
A large part of this indie journey for me has been (what I would describe as) a healthy mixture of uncertainty and a search for validation. I’ve been indie publishing for about two and half years. In that time, I’ve published three novels, written four. Self-publishing a novel is a lot like being one of those poor contestants on a TV talent competition. You get up, stand on that stage. You’re saying to yourself, “well, I think I’m talented” but, inwardly, there’s that mind-numbing fear of being one of those deluded suckers who’s really making a sad fool of themselves. And if you are outed as said fool, there’s the added bonus of having willingly subjected yourself to public ridicule. That’s the fear. On the flip side is the hope that, yes, maybe you do have the talent, maybe the public will be receptive to your work, maybe you’ll be one of the ones that “make it”.
So far, I’ve been blessed to have received warm reviews from the random strangers that I’ve solicited through their blogs or gleaned through giveaways. It’s given me the little pat on my shoulder of, “ok, I guess you don’t totally suck. The fact that you think your novels are good isn’t all in your head”. However, the question of whether my writing would hold up to the scrutiny of the traditional publishing world, of whether I’m producing the same quality writing that would get a book published, has been that kernel of uncertainty that I just couldn’t shake.
Enter Awesome Indies and a wonderful author/friend who suggested them to me. They employ accredited reviewers to give your indie novel the onceover and tell you point blank whether you have a product that holds up to publishing industry standards. And if not, they provide you with notes on improvement and a chance to resubmit. This was the opportunity that I’ve been craving; a chance to get as close to a professional review as I can get without agents, endless queries, months of waiting for a traditional publisher to give me the time of day.
This week, I got my answer, and it was really the best possible news I could have received in-what I refer to as-the realm of “reality”. I received two graciously generous reviews praising the content and narrative quality of my work, and a rightful scolding on the lack of professional editing. In short, I’m giving my readers what these reviewers feel is a novel at the same writing quality level as a traditionally published author, only without the benefit that an editor provides, so an unintentional rough draft but a rough draft nonetheless. In truth, I was disappointed but not surprised. I’ve been going at this with the help of family, bloggers, fellow indies, and friends as my beta readers, but not a professionally trained pair of eyes. In truth, I’m making technical errors in my formatting that I didn’t even realize were errors; who knew that there was a difference between a hyphen and a dash, or that a space needed to go before and after an ellipsis? Not me! And I read…a lot! And was completely oblivious to these things.
So now I’m embarking on the next step of this journey, which is to find a professional editor to give my novel a thorough proofread. The short-term end goal is to receive the AI Award of Excellence or Seal of Approval that says,” yes, this is an indie worth reading”. The long-term goal is to learn what I’m doing wrong and correct those unintentional errors before publishing my next novel (which will also need that prof. edit whether I like to admit it or not).
There’s a lot that goes into indie writing that traditionally published authors don’t have to fret about. Paying a hefty sum for editing is one of those things. However, the freedom to decide the cover, the content, when and if to share one’s work with the world: these are great gifts that self-publishing has to offer. I’ll rest easier knowing that my work holds up in the arena of published literature, and I’m looking forward to re-releasing an edited second edition of Tomorrow is a Long Time.
So far, I’ve been blessed to have received warm reviews from the random strangers that I’ve solicited through their blogs or gleaned through giveaways. It’s given me the little pat on my shoulder of, “ok, I guess you don’t totally suck. The fact that you think your novels are good isn’t all in your head”. However, the question of whether my writing would hold up to the scrutiny of the traditional publishing world, of whether I’m producing the same quality writing that would get a book published, has been that kernel of uncertainty that I just couldn’t shake.
Enter Awesome Indies and a wonderful author/friend who suggested them to me. They employ accredited reviewers to give your indie novel the onceover and tell you point blank whether you have a product that holds up to publishing industry standards. And if not, they provide you with notes on improvement and a chance to resubmit. This was the opportunity that I’ve been craving; a chance to get as close to a professional review as I can get without agents, endless queries, months of waiting for a traditional publisher to give me the time of day.
This week, I got my answer, and it was really the best possible news I could have received in-what I refer to as-the realm of “reality”. I received two graciously generous reviews praising the content and narrative quality of my work, and a rightful scolding on the lack of professional editing. In short, I’m giving my readers what these reviewers feel is a novel at the same writing quality level as a traditionally published author, only without the benefit that an editor provides, so an unintentional rough draft but a rough draft nonetheless. In truth, I was disappointed but not surprised. I’ve been going at this with the help of family, bloggers, fellow indies, and friends as my beta readers, but not a professionally trained pair of eyes. In truth, I’m making technical errors in my formatting that I didn’t even realize were errors; who knew that there was a difference between a hyphen and a dash, or that a space needed to go before and after an ellipsis? Not me! And I read…a lot! And was completely oblivious to these things.
So now I’m embarking on the next step of this journey, which is to find a professional editor to give my novel a thorough proofread. The short-term end goal is to receive the AI Award of Excellence or Seal of Approval that says,” yes, this is an indie worth reading”. The long-term goal is to learn what I’m doing wrong and correct those unintentional errors before publishing my next novel (which will also need that prof. edit whether I like to admit it or not).
There’s a lot that goes into indie writing that traditionally published authors don’t have to fret about. Paying a hefty sum for editing is one of those things. However, the freedom to decide the cover, the content, when and if to share one’s work with the world: these are great gifts that self-publishing has to offer. I’ll rest easier knowing that my work holds up in the arena of published literature, and I’m looking forward to re-releasing an edited second edition of Tomorrow is a Long Time.
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Hey Isis!Thank you for the lovely comments :) By the way, I miss talking with you!! Life has been so unbelievably busy-my class sizes this year have doubled, etc.- that I keep missing that open window to write. Shame on me!
Anyway, I appreciate your advice. I received some "sample edits" from editors when I was editor-shopping and I also received "notes" from the reviewers at AI. A lot of the mistakes I made were formatting but also little things that may have been overlooked if I didn't strive to write literature as opposed to "genre"; in other words, a lot of it was my own colloquial language that wasn't entirely grammatically correct. But then again, I've always considered myself a stronger critical thinker when it comes to "literature" as opposed to a grammar nut.
Thank you for the offer of the referral. I'm working with a wonderful editor right now who was "middle of the road" for the price estimates I received and she does really great work.
But man(!!) I wish it wasn't so expensive. I have a deeper respect for indies who shovel out hundreds of dollars for their covers AND the editing AND the marketing. I don't know how an indie can ever hope to recoup that, and I have a deeper sympathy for those who earnestly want to publish but can't afford all that. It's made me much more conscientious of my own vain ambitions to publish a new novel each year.
Right now, I'm sitting on my fourth novel, which is written, the cover's done (as you know :0); all it needs is to be edited. But at the price I'm paying to get "Tomorrow" edited, approved by AI, get it some more marketing attention, there's no way I could invest that kind of cash into a novel every year, nor (as you said)expect a large return seeing as I am an eclectic taste for a select audience.
That being said, writing is a delicious passion, pleasure, and escape and I'm going to keep at it.
Hope things are going well for you, too!!
Hi Tabitha! Likewise, always nice trading ideas with you ^.^
Wow, so you’re indeed busy teaching ! This is fabulous, even though it may feel a bit tiring sometimes. :)
Aha, as I predicted, well, then if those were formatting issues, it makes it less of a problem, in a way, normally people have more prejudice when the errors are grammatical.
But literature is all about this: grammar is a tool, and as writing artist you should be free to tailor the language to your vision. I am glad you consider yourself stronger critical thinker as you put it, rather than grammar nuts. (Would be great if more authors did that, too!)
Nice to know you’re working with an editor at the moment :)
And indeed, Tabitha – publishing, even for indie author can be so damn expensive! :S I still struggle with that part :P So, yes, publishing a novel a year is such a nice idea, but… as you mentioned, it comes with a cost :S
Ahaaaa, that novel! :D So you have finished it! Nice news! I will look forward to that one when it is out someday.
And I can totally see that it may take time, as you’re putting your financial efforts and marketing efforts on Tomorrow is a Long Time.
Yes, and it is very understandable that you think of keeping writing as a passion – rather than a job or duty right now, with all the costs involved…
Anyway, hope you’re enjoying Autumn :) I have been well, however, very busy with art :) Cheers!
Wow, so you’re indeed busy teaching ! This is fabulous, even though it may feel a bit tiring sometimes. :)
Aha, as I predicted, well, then if those were formatting issues, it makes it less of a problem, in a way, normally people have more prejudice when the errors are grammatical.
But literature is all about this: grammar is a tool, and as writing artist you should be free to tailor the language to your vision. I am glad you consider yourself stronger critical thinker as you put it, rather than grammar nuts. (Would be great if more authors did that, too!)
Nice to know you’re working with an editor at the moment :)
And indeed, Tabitha – publishing, even for indie author can be so damn expensive! :S I still struggle with that part :P So, yes, publishing a novel a year is such a nice idea, but… as you mentioned, it comes with a cost :S
Ahaaaa, that novel! :D So you have finished it! Nice news! I will look forward to that one when it is out someday.
And I can totally see that it may take time, as you’re putting your financial efforts and marketing efforts on Tomorrow is a Long Time.
Yes, and it is very understandable that you think of keeping writing as a passion – rather than a job or duty right now, with all the costs involved…
Anyway, hope you’re enjoying Autumn :) I have been well, however, very busy with art :) Cheers!
Thank you, Isis, and glad to hear that things are going well for you, albeit busy Your art is amazing!
I wasn't aware of these formatting things either - however, I wonder if the Awesome Indies referred to editing as "formatting"?
If you write at professional level, which I am sure you do as you are a teacher ^.^ - then could the issues be formatting only?
Anyway, it can be great to do some savings, if possible to count with a professional/freelance editor who can help seeing the things we don't see due to our blind spots :)
I work with a couple of wonderful girls: Clare Diston and Celine Frohn, the first for editing and the second for proofing. If you're interested I could send over their contact :)
As for the quality on the writing, you should be sure, that you have high standards. Just be aware that the masses look for average standards and great books like yours will appeal to a select audience ;)
Cheers :D