My editor recently told me that publishers don’t like the “s” in “towards,” “backwards,” or “forwards.” Add this to the ever-increasing list of things I didn’t know about writing. So I thought the title of this post was kind of apropos.
It’s come to my attention that the first few posts here sent somewhat of an ambiguous message so I want to set the record straight.
I’m a total novice at this writing gig. I’ve got no background to speak of, but I’m chuck-full of ideas. I decided to try my hand at romance since I’m a sucker for drama, spicy hot shower scenes and HEA. Three rewrites later, it’s 97% done. I guess the third time really is a charm.
So I’ve got a big decision to make. How do I get my story out to the masses? Do I self-publish and become an indie author? Or shall I try my luck (again) and go the traditional publishing route?
I love the idea of being an indie author. As a self-proclaimed entrepreneur, the whole model just suits me. Also, I’m a little Type A so the idea of being the master of my own destiny is rather appealing.
But other factors come into play. Do I have the bandwidth to take care of my family as well as juggle all the elements of my day job, my household AND a budding career as a romance novelist? Maybe I should seek a partnership with a smaller press where I can have a voice at the table and leverage their expertise. That may just be the ideal scenario for me.
The truth is, I don’t have the answer. Hence the reason for my first set of posts. I spend a lot of time opining on all of the alternatives and sometimes a glass of wine gives me some short-term clarity (any more than a glass and it’s back to square one).
What I’ve learned is that you need to have a solid platform, regardless of the chosen publishing method. The bigger the following, the more lucrative the prospect. I’ve been doing a lot of research to figure out how to create my author brand and I wanted to share my findings, not to be confused with my anticipated successes.
So any time I come across information that I consider helpful, I’m going to share it here. I’m not even close to being an “expert”; I’d settle for “somewhat informed” at this point.
And so, my journey continues.
I feel like I’m in a similar space, different genre. It can be tough to make these decisions, or to wait while others decide your fate. Sharing your knowledge – no matter how recently gained – is a great service and will get you traffic from other writers. You may also want to think of blogging things your potential readers want to see. Use provocative titles or make a recurring thematic post that romance lovers will come back to see weekly. Gain a following and learn what they want in an author and how they choose what to read/where to buy it. Best of luck!
Thanks, Katey! At this point, I feel really good about where I am with my novel. It’s been a long road and I want to make the best decision about publishing. I’ve talked to different people who’ve had different experiences, I’ve read up on the pros and cons, but still no decision. In the interim, I’m focused on building my audience…and my next book, of course. =)