I remember the moment I decided to self-publish. I was having trouble working on my WIP. I had just spent the last two years writing two novels and querying agents only to have run into a brick wall. What was the use? I wondered. When I should have been writing, I was instead looking back on my rejected novels. I tried putting them in a file called "Practice Novels" to keep me from digging into them. But that didn't help. If these didn't get published, what made me think my next would fare any better?
That's when I faintly remembered something I'd heard about self-publishing through Amazon. I was barely aware of what a Kindle was. So I started researching the subject to see if it was true. I had never heard of Joe Konrath and the only Hocking I knew of was my daughter's math teacher. Self-publishing was the farthest thing from my mind. But when I saw that you could publish your writing electronically and sell it on Amazon, I knew that was for me. And now, starting my second full month of self-publishing, I couldn't be happier.
First of all, the whole concept appeals to my entrepreneurial spirit, having been an independent businessman for the past 20 years, including a stint as an award winning computer game designer (historical wargames, if you're curious). Self-publishing just feels right. Sending query letters to agents who may or may not respond does not, and I'm sorry now that I wasted my time doing it. I've always been a one- or two-man shop, anyway, so why should this be any different?
More importantly, if not for self-publishing, I probably wouldn't even be writing now at all. My hopelessness has been replaced by hopefulness. I'm excited to wake up in the morning. And I have resumed work on my WIP with renewed vigor. I write with greater purpose (for the simple matter that there now is a greater purpose--pleasing readers) and I can't wait to spend my querying time revising and editing.
I'd love to hear how other self-publishers got started.
That's when I faintly remembered something I'd heard about self-publishing through Amazon. I was barely aware of what a Kindle was. So I started researching the subject to see if it was true. I had never heard of Joe Konrath and the only Hocking I knew of was my daughter's math teacher. Self-publishing was the farthest thing from my mind. But when I saw that you could publish your writing electronically and sell it on Amazon, I knew that was for me. And now, starting my second full month of self-publishing, I couldn't be happier.
First of all, the whole concept appeals to my entrepreneurial spirit, having been an independent businessman for the past 20 years, including a stint as an award winning computer game designer (historical wargames, if you're curious). Self-publishing just feels right. Sending query letters to agents who may or may not respond does not, and I'm sorry now that I wasted my time doing it. I've always been a one- or two-man shop, anyway, so why should this be any different?
More importantly, if not for self-publishing, I probably wouldn't even be writing now at all. My hopelessness has been replaced by hopefulness. I'm excited to wake up in the morning. And I have resumed work on my WIP with renewed vigor. I write with greater purpose (for the simple matter that there now is a greater purpose--pleasing readers) and I can't wait to spend my querying time revising and editing.
I'd love to hear how other self-publishers got started.