Traditional publishing definitely has its perks. Someone else gets to do all the time consuming stuff, thinks of all the things you might forget in the grand scheme of things, and takes all the hard work out of the process. But where’s the fun in that?
Some of the most rewarding things have happened to me during my Indie experience. I’ve met people in parking lots, inside stores, in restaurants, at tire repair shops, at a powdered metal coating business, the tax office, the list goes on. Someone even offered me her back to sign my novel! What an honor!
Allowing someone esle to do all the ground work and the really hard stuff takes the personal feel out of publishing a book. I wanted to see the look on people’s faces when they saw my cover for the first time. I didn’t want other’s to experience that before me. Don’t get me wrong. I would like the book to take over the world, but that isn’t my first and foremost goal. I want to meet people. I’d like to write what they want to read. Not to say I would change what or how I write for any ONE individual, but it sort of helps to see what your target audience enjoys reading. After talking to a few fans, I’m always inspired.
Inspiration is essential when you don’t have a traditional publisher pushing you for deadlines. You have to keep writing to keep your readers happy and you have to keep yourself motivated. A few readers of mine have funlovingly threatened me if I don’t promise them the next book in my SoulEaters Series is coming soon.
Available at Amazon.com and Kindle Bookstore
Having a really great agent/publisher/friend who’s guided me all the way has been a huge help. I would have never been able to get where I am right now without him. Ladies and Gentleman, Cristian Mihai is handsdown the best mentor I’ve ever had. Meeting him has been the best part of publishing so far. He’s taught me soooo much. Now that I’ve raved and fangirled, my point is: Self-publishing can be scary, but if you find a mentor to guide you the process can turn from something bone-chillingly frightening to a walk in the park–with a new friend from a different country, in my case!
