Today is a good day for this post, because believe me I'm feeling insecure. I think I've recently came to the decision to self publish my YA novel Phantom Fires. It's so scary. Lots of people have read it by now. It's been through 7 rounds of revisions and 180 pages of cuts. About half of the people love it, and half want it to be something it's not. I think it's pretty much a given half the reviews will love it, and half the reviews will hate it for not being something it's not. I guess the good thing is no one feels middle of the road about it? LOL I don't know.I love my story. I worked hard on it and I'm not giving up on it. I think if I were willing to make some major plot changes I could go the traditional route. I've been told as much. But I'm not willing to. I'm not just not. If I do that, it's a different story. And I wrote the story I want to tell. I think if it isn't the story someone wants to read they can give me a one star review on goodreads and move on. That being said, with the stigma against self publishing, and the inability to reach bookstore and library markets it's still a terrifying thing. I hired a freelance editor because I just think a professional should edit something before it's published. And before it's over, I'll hire a cover artist and a book formatter. It's not a small investment, and I'm okay with that because I love it. And I don't love being told what to write, but I just hope it goes over well.
You go, girl! I admire brave souls like you.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for investing in a freelance editor. I agree it's something every self-publishing author should do. Congratulations for facing your fears and following your dream!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat for you for jumping into self publishing. I keep meaning to research it but I have to get through my 180 page cuts first!
ReplyDeleteOctober 6, 2011 at 9:05 pm
ReplyDeletehey!
just stopping by from Alex Cavanaugh’s blog… on the Insecure Writer’s Support Tour!
concerning ur post, i think that if you get 50% who love it, and 50% who have different opinions, ur on the right track…….. if a movie on rotten tomatoes is certified 50% fresh, its usually a pretty damn good movie!
cheers!
jeremy
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do”
-Steve Jobs
hey!
ReplyDeletejust stopping by from Alex Cavanaugh's blog... on the Insecure Writer's Support Tour!
concerning ur post, i think that if you get 50% who love it, and 50% who have different opinions, ur on the right track........ if a movie on rotten tomatoes is certified 50% fresh, its usually a pretty damn good movie!
cheers!
jeremy
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do"
-Steve Jobs
It sounds like you are taking all the right steps. Some books are polarizing. That's all right - that means one way or another, you got a reaction! If it's what you wanted to write and it's the best you can do, be proud of it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for sticking by what you believe is best for your book! Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteI think that's awesome you're taking that next step. Congrats and good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth. I'm here as the co-host from the Pay It Forward blogfest. Thanks so much for signing up.
ReplyDeleteAnd I wasn't following your blog until just now, so the fest is working!
Oh, good luck! If you believe you're on the right track, then you need to follow your gut. The people who love your book will tell others, and there's no publicity like people who do! The people who want it to be something else -- that's okay too, at least they've got a strong opinion! If you're looking for a great formatter/cover artist, I have a recommendation. I'm not affiliated, I'm just a big fan of her services: Sarah Billington at Billington Media: http://www.billingtonmedia.com/ (PS: I am taking time over this comment because I keep pausing to move my mouse and admire the shiny pink stars!)
ReplyDeletenothing wrong w going self-pub route
ReplyDeletei think its a good thing to hire an editor... they always catch stuff u never see
Hi, I am still visiting blogs from both the IWSG & PIF. I think you are headed in the right direction. You seem to know what you want & you are going for it. There is nothing wrong with self publishing. A self published author is a published author & that is more than I have achieved, (still trying)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you.
Melissa
Neat blog, nice to meet ya:)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are really confident in your story, Beth. That is awesome!
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by from the Blogfest. I know,I'm slow. So many great blogs and so little time. I just joined the Insecure Writers Support Group. Will have to wait for the first part of November. Thanks for showing me how this works.
ReplyDeleteIn the end all you really have is your story. There are always somethings that are non-negotiable. Never,never give up or sell out.
I love your site. The little pink floaty, sparkle thingys are great. I could dance my cursor around here all night. Nice to meet you.
Ah,there I am, Barbara Jean Byrem
ReplyDeleteThat's a mold-breaker. Great thinikng!
ReplyDeleteThere's a terrific amount of knowledge in this aritlce!
ReplyDeleteIf you wrote an article about life we'd all reach englhitenment.
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ReplyDelete