Over the weekend, I read an article. I’m not going to mention names or titles, but if you’re an independent author, you probably know which one I’m talking about. In his article, the author lists many reasons why self-publishers should not be considered real authors. Believe it or not, the article didn’t make me angry. It did irk me enough to write this post (twice – I had just finished when I accidentally clicked a different tab – deleted everything), but to be honest, it really just made me roll my eyes. It was written with such ignorance. Clearly, this guy knows nothing about independent authors.
There’s a stereotype out there that independent authors are the ones who aren’t good enough to be published by a big traditional publishing house. We’re the second-stringers who are so desperate for notoriety and publicity, and perhaps even fame and fortune, that we publish our own work ourselves because no one else will touch it. Let me tell you right now, if writing books and going through all the work is just for fame and fortune, I can think of like, a hundred different ways to try to go about that, all of which would be significantly easier and less of a hassle than publishing your own book.
Don’t get me wrong. Writing and publishing is a joy, one of the greatest joys in the world. But it’s also a lot of work, work that I wouldn’t be willing to put into anything that I didn’t want to do with all my heart and soul. Independent authors don’t have the luxury, the resources, the funds, or the man-power of a traditional publishing house. True, I have editors and a cover designer whom I appreciate all the way to the moon and back, but everything else, I’ve done on my own. But I don’t regret it for a moment. By choosing the independent route, I retain all rights to my work. I never have to worry about contracts or bottom lines. There’s a great deal of freedom in the indie world. There is also a great deal of love. Independent publishing is a labor of love. And it always will be.
In related news, I spent yesterday reading Snow Globe by my friend and fellow author, Jeanne Skarsiaris yesterday.
It’s a great book about a teenaged psychic, thrilling and the perfect read for a cold, dreary day. Also, I’m quoted on the back! How cool is that?
You can read the rest of my review and the reviews of others here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24847594-snow-globe?ac=1
Finally, my dear friend and editor, Hannah Alvarez, is in the process of getting her new business up and going. She’s designed a line of mix-and-match stuffed animals called Snapdragons and they are simply adorable. Her campaign will be coming to Kickstarter in April.
Everyone have a wonderful Monday. And stay warm. We’re iced in down here. Perfect writing weather!
A Platform of Sorts 