Wednesday, August 28, 2013

One Giant Leap ... For Me!



Breaking News...Breaking News...Breaking News

Call the local networks! Call the national news! Get Oprah on the phone! Schedule my cry-fest with Barbara Walters! Cuz guess what? I'm publishing my own book!

Yep, you heard that right. After thinking looooooong and hard about it, I'm taking a HUGE leap. I'm going for it. I'm entering the indie publishing fray.

Almost as cool as the first man on the moon, right? Not for everyone? Ok, got it.

For some authors, this is an easy decision. Not so for me. I'm pretty much the slowest big-decision-maker EVER. Like, I wait, and wait, and wait. Why? I'm a big chicken. Totally.

Indie publishing has been at the back of my mind for quite some time now. But I kept making excuses as to why I shouldn't do it.

I don't know what I'm doing (Duh!)
It's a lot of work (Double duh!)
I could fail (Triple duh!)

Blah, blah, blah. On and on the battle raged within my brain. It's a tough crowd in there, I assure you.

Anyway, what made me change my mind? This post by Susan Kaye Quinn. I'm not even joking. Game changer.

I've already contacted my agent about this book, and she was so sweet and supportive. I'm connecting with professional editors and book cover designers. I took action before I could talk myself out of it. And now that I've told you? I can't back out now.

What's there to lose by indie publishing? Bookstore and library shelves.
What's there to gain by indie publishing? Control and forward movement.

I'm ok with that!

I'm nervous. I'm scared. But mostly, I'm excited. I'll shared the journey with you all as I fumble may way forward.

Stay tuned!

Have you considered publishing your own book? If you've already indie published, were you glad you made that decision? If you're traditionally published, have you been temped to cross over or become a hybrid writer? Do tell!

67 comments:

  1. Yay, congrats!! I'm right there with you, I'm about to self publish my first book. I'm excited for you! Good luck!

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    1. Yay for you, Fida! We'll be traveling this road together. Good luck to you!

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  2. Congratulations, Julie! If you need a beta reader, blurb, *anything*, let me know!! :D

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    1. Ooooh, thanks, Melissa. I might just take you up on that!

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  3. I'm about to publish my fifth, I'm sure you are more than capable, but if you need help...

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    1. Carole, that's awesome! Man, you're a busy girl!

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  4. CONGRATS!!! *blows horn* I've read this book, friends. It's AMAZING. And so is Julie, so it's all going to be great. ;D

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    1. Thanks, Lisa! And big thanks for all your editing suggestions that helped it get that much closer <3

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  5. Congratulations!!! Go for it. I've never done it, but I can point you to people who could help.

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    1. Alex, thanks so much! You may hear from me if I get stuck :)

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  6. I'm thinking about self-pubbing my women's fiction at some point. Get agented over and over on it, but never get a deal. Kudos to you for your bravery. I have a friend who is a graphic designer who has been doing a bunch of covers and layout design for self-pubbing authors if you want his info, email me at g.polisner@gmail.com. And, good luck! You go, girl! :)

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    1. Gae, thanks so much! It reminds me of that line in We Bought A Zoo. "You only need 20 seconds of bravery." I've talked myself out of it for too long!

      If you do decide to self pub your women's fiction, let me know and I'll help spread the word!

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  7. Congratulations! How exciting. Wishing you all the best =)

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  8. Congrats, Julie! I'm rooting for you and am so proud of you for making this choice :)

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    1. Thanks, Marissa! Scary but fun all at the same time :)

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  9. Congratulations! From experience I can tell you, it's the best feeling in the world.

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    1. Anne, I'm so glad to hear you've been happy with your choice! It's folks like you who have paved the way, and I'm thankful for that.

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  10. Wow, that is a big step. One that I took about 4 year ago -- and it IS a lot of work. It's nice that your agent is supportive. So . . , is she still your agent? How does that work? For my own part, I don't want to work THAT hard on another book. I really want to go the traditional route for my present book. But good luck with your new venture. I will look forward to hearing how it goes.

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    1. Elizabeth, you self pubbed four years ago? You were a trend setter! I'm glad folks like you paved the way for newbies like me :)

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  11. That's great news! I haven't gotten to the point where I need to figure it out, but I'll be interested in seeing how your journey plays out. Good luck!

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    1. Thanks for the good luck wishes! I appreciate it :)

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  12. Congratulations! Good for you that you're taking action. I haven't reached the point where I'm ready to publish my work yet, but I have thought about indie publishing. I've learned a lot about it from reading other bloggers' posts on it.

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    1. OMG, isn't it awesome how there's so much information out there? I marvel at those who took those first steps, and I'm thankful they share their wisdom with rookies like me :)

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  13. I wish you all the luck in the world. Combining the indie route with traditional publishing was the best thing I ever did. I have never regretted it for a second.

    Best of both worlds.

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    1. Donna, I love hearing how authors are happy with their choice to go indie. And I love how we don't have to choose indie OR trad. We can do both!

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  14. That's great, Julie. I've been considering doing the same thing. I've been getting nothing but rejections for far too long. And I haven't made a single penny on the book I did get published. So I'm seriously thinking of going the indie route myself.

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    1. Laurisa, I've seen your writing. You'd do GREAT with pubbing your own work!

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  15. Grats! That's wonderful you're taking such a brave step. I'm looking forward to hearing about your journey. I wish you the best of luck and tons of success!

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    1. Thanks so much, Janice! I'll be hangin' out at your blog a lot, as usual, looking for wisdom! No pressure :)

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    2. Eek! (grin) I'll be dipping my toe in indie publishing myself soon, so we can share tips.

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  16. I don't blame you. When I see how long agented authors are waiting it's ridiculous.

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    1. Thanks, Karen! I tell ya, it sure does feel good being in control.

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    1. The woman who changed my life!!! Thanks so much for sharing all your wisdom with the rest of us, Susan. Your resources are amazing.

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  18. This decision is not an easy decision. It took me a while, thinking, considering - getting out of the emotional pit of myths I'd believed for so long, because for the longest time the traditional path was the only way. We had no choice.

    I don't regret it one bit. :) Love it. Love the control. Love knowing that it's my choice whether to publish something or not. Knowing I can write book 2 or 3 of a series and not wait forever.

    For me, it was the post from Nathan Bransford, who showed that the midlist author would make more money on their own. That was coming from a traditionally published author and agent at the time.

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    1. Ooooh, I never saw that post from Nathan! I'm so glad you've been happy with your choice. Once I finally made the leap, I'm excited.

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  19. Woohoo. So excited for you, Julie! I, too, did a lot of thinking before leaping into self-publishing. I haven't regretted it once. Not once!!

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    1. Heather, that's awesome that you've been happy with your choice! I love hearing that. It inspires me :)

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  20. Congrats!! I think I will be a hybrid author, both SP and traditional if possible. I see value in both ways, so I wish you the best of luck!!

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    1. Traci, you're so right. There IS value in both ways. It's awesome that we don't have to choose. We can do both!

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  21. I'm hybrid! Good luck! Send me an email. I'd like to know more about your book.

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    1. Beth, that's awesome! So cool that we have all the choices these days.

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  22. I've published both ways, so yes, I'm a hybrid. Each way has its pros and cons, and I'd like to continue doing it both ways!

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    1. Catherine, that's the beauty of modern day publishing. We CAN do both! Congratulations on all your publishing successes :)

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  23. I am so proud of you, Julie! Becca and I am so glad we went for it, and I know you will be too. In fact I don't know anyone with a manuscript up to publishable standards who has said, "Wow, I wish I would have waited for a publishing deal."

    *clinks glasses* Here's to controlling your destiny.

    Ange

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    1. "Controlling your destiny." That's what I love most about it! Thanks so much for the encouraging words. By the way, your ET has helped SOOO much.

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  24. "God is the silent partner in all great enterprises." ~ Abraham Lincoln

    Successful self-published books:
    What Color Is Your Parachute?, In Search of Excellence, The Celestine Prophecy, The Elements of Style, The Christmas Box, The Shack, The One-Minute Manager, and many others

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    1. OMG, your Lincoln quote just made my day! A lot of prayer went into my decision, so it's totally appropriate. Thank you!

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  25. Hey, Julie! The only thing I can say for sure is there are lots of us out here. We can offer advice, information and a shoulder to lean on when you'll need it. Best of luck to you, my friend.

    -Jimmy

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  26. I can't wait for everyone to experience your wonderful story. You go girl!

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    1. Leslie, thanks so much for your encouragement and support. AND the awesome beta reads <3

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  27. Karen, that's great. You already know the ropes!

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  28. Julie, yay! That's so stinking exciting! There's nothing like taking your career in your own hands--and you better let me know as soon as you have a release date, because I'm penciling in a Writerly Wednesday with your name on it. Wahoo!

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    1. Crystal, thank you SO much! Ok, you got it. I'll hound you you when it's ready.

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  29. You'll do great, Julie. Go for it and if I can help with posts whatever, let me know. Of course, I'm buying it!

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  30. Good luck! I'm doing heavy research on sp right now since I'm planning on sping a horror serial. Eep!

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  31. Way to go! I just published my second middle grade book, The Whining Woods, and my head still aches from the long hours! All I can tell you is that you will succeed and let me know when it's available! I'm down for a copy!

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  32. Congratulations!! Looking forward to hearing more about your book! :)

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  33. Yayyyy! Go Julie...Go Julie! I'm super excited that you are taking this step and not surprised that Karen supports you. And I support you 100%! I haven't taken the leap yet, but you are really giving me courage. Maybe I'm next...who knows!

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    1. I'm actually having fun with it! Now...that may change when it comes time to format it :)

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  34. I read this the other day on my phone and didn't comment cuz I HATE typing comments on my phone, LOL!

    But Julie, I'm SO STOKED for you. I think this is a BRILLIANT idea. You will do so well! This is a wonderful leap and one that will be very fulfilling!!!!

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