Self-Publishing Scares Author from Bantam Books- Really?

 

Well we have made it to end of another work week and here it is, Saturday morning and I am wide awake at 5:15am.  I will say that this week has been exceptionally busy, I've had two job interviews, and I’m doing final book edits to make sure that this book due out will be without any blemishes and doing my motherly/wifely duties to keep the home fires burning.

You know, speaking of books and publishing, I had the oddest thing happen to me yesterday. I was speaking with a gentleman, who has been published by Bantam Books, on line in regards to traditional publishers and authors that fear those who self-publish, that they will be the new way of publishing because of all they have to go through to get their stories to the shelves. Their strength will grow in numbers because of what they will learn in the industry. Hummm??? I can't see how, the crap that an author of a self-published book goes through it mind bending, stressful and the author is generally the one that does the writing, checking, re-checking, web page building, cover designing, book signing scheduling, oh and we can't forgot the ever dreaded marketing, that in itself is a pain in the royal butt. And if you think the marketing part is bad, let’s not forget about the costs that come out of your pocket. Ouch!

A traditional publisher, you write your query, you send it in with a few chapters of your story, if they like it you sign a contract - then you wait for them, they don't have to wait for you, they do the marketing, they set up the book signings, they edit the heck out of it and do whatever tweaking is needed to be done Etc.. Etc.   So my question is - What the heck is the problem? All that comes to mind is the first two lines of the song - "Slow Ride by Foghat"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCNcgoyG_0 (smile, this song was a song that a band played at the Adak talent show I speak about in my book. You will find it in Chapter 19.  Nothing like rockin out with a cup of coffee so early on a Saturday morning - Hope I don't wake the kids. Bigger Smile) Ok, I'm sure it's not that simple, but the concept is very appealing to me vs. having the control and all the headaches that come with it when you publish on your own.

I'd love to be one of the authors who have had the pleasure of finding a publisher that didn't want to always change things or talk money constantly. The first time a publisher was interested in my work the very first thing they mentioned was that I had to sign over my rights to it, meaning, they could change and do what they wanted to my story and my cover so that it would be appealing to a large group of readers. I immediately was shocked - I wasn't upset over the possible cover change comment, but how can a company sit there and say they wanted to change some of the writing in my story. All I heard was that they want to change my life to please the readers? You can't and I won't be dishonest for the sake of making money, or for any other reason. The things in my book are my life experiences. I also chose not to write with forty dollar words that you would have to look up every time you turn a page. It didn't mean that I don't have a large vocabulary, I just wanted people to feel like they were walking beside me and seeing through my words that with the good came the bad and I'm proud to still be on this earth to tell it. In one short sentence to describe my thoughts behind my writing my first book - I just wanted to be me, not someone’s dancing chicken.

They didn't like that and so the deal was dead. I decided that I wasn't going to stop there. I self-published and very proud of myself that I did. Funny thing, now I am getting calls that publishers are interested in my Fictional book that I have completed titled "Deemed Crazy", yes it is edgy, yes much of the story was inspired by things and people that have crossed my path throughout my life, but then the fun came in when I got to write freely, and why? It's a work of Fiction - A mystery, suspense, hang on the edge of your seat thriller. (And no animals where physically hurt while writing this story - You'll have to read the book to understand that statement) With my newest writing adventure, I guess I can see why I don't have a problem with signing with an actual publisher and forgoing the self-publishing world is that "Deemed Crazy" is all fiction, but could, in some sick way,  really happen and I don't have this moral obligation to stay true to my story, as I did with my personal story of my life "Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves." Everyone has a story to tell. My first story was originally written and I only wanted just a few copies to be printed for my family. I never had any intentions of selling it to the world or trying to be rich.  It was the uplifting words from Mr. Webber, that inspired me to publish it for the public which in turn led to my quest to raise funding and awareness for Veterans who suffer the from "Gulf War Illnesses." 

 

 

As for my next publication - it's going to be a wild ride and I'm ready for the challenge. Coming soon to a Book Shelf, Kindle, Nook, near you....
"Deemed Crazy" If you could get away with committing the ultimate crime of revenge - would you

Hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy yourselves to the fullest. Until next time - Blog ya later Alligators.