Saturday, July 16, 2011

Why I Choose E-Publishers

As an author, I am often asked why my books aren't available in print.  I have to admit, there is a small part of me that misses what must be a serious rush experienced by sitting at a table with a stack of your newly-minted print book hot off the presses to the right of you, bottles of water and fresh sharpies in a regimented row to the left and a long, impressive line of panting fans in front of you dying, simply dying to have you, and only you, autograph their barely-a-minute-ago purchased copy of your latest tome.  I mean, COME ONE....that has got to be fraggin' neat-god damn-capital-O!

Alas, that is not the path I have chosen.  Yes, I said it, CHOSEN.  Because I continue to submit my manuscripts to e-publishers and in order for you to understand why, I have to tell you a story.

I have a friend, a really terrific writer, and we had been going down the same I-hope-I-get-published highway.  She went a different route than me.  I chose to submit directly to the publishers I liked and found online.  I WILL admit I was rejected by agents, some who wrote me some terrific rejection letters with great advice, MOST of which I took.  Two I will name here because they are awesome:  I respect and am indebted to Louise Fury and Bree Ogden.  One I met and one I didn't, but both offered the kind of advice and encouragement a debut author can only dream of receiving.  But I digress. 

My friend did get an agent, and they did get a publishing deal and when she told me I was thrilled for her.  In that same time period my publisher released my novel with a killer cover in digital format everywhere.  Then I submitted another manuscript to them and received a contract with them for another novel to release in two months time, and I submitted and received a contract for a novel with another publisher, to be released in another two months time as well.  That meant I would be releasing 3 novels in 5 months.  When I asked my friend when hers would be coming out, she said summer of 2013.

Summer of 2013?  I couldn't help thinking all kinds of macabre thoughts.  What happened if she died?  What happened if they went bankrupt?  And my first thought?  Why did it take so long?

I would still love to be at book signing and it would be cool to see my book on shelves at Target or something, but how hard would it be to wait that long?  At the rate that I write, could a traditional publisher even keep up with me?  Anyway, as promised here are the reasons I choose to publish with
e-publishers:
  1. My children will not be in college before my manuscripts publish
  2. There is great satisfaction in this process flow only taking two months: Finish-cover art-edit-publish
  3. I don't get sick of my own work waiting for the publishing process
  4. E-publishing does not add to the carbon footprint
  5. The ability to publish frequently keeps your name out there and your fans interested
For the record, my awesome publishers, so far:  for my two YA paranormal romances, www.astraeapress.com and for my upcoming MG horror/thriller, www.aspenmountainpress.com for their new imprint, Aura Speculative Fiction.

No matter what you decide or where you are published, there is only one thing anyone can call you when you publish your work.........Author.  Welcome to the club!

1 comment:

  1. Lovely post, and I know that you've said you went to e-publishers you can still create a paperback copy of your novels through, CreateSpace, Lulu or Lightning Source, I've never used Lightning Source and only know of it because an independent publishers quoted them to me.

    I also write my novels fast, and can write up to 5-6 a year and I'm still 18. I love your front cover which I said on a post to your wall, it looks truly fascinating!

    Well, good luck and good luck to your friend, that kind of wait would kill me.

    ~Joseph Eastwood --
    http://josepheastwoodxd.blogspot.com/

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