Welcome back to
DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND ME, my 3-part series about how I jumped into digital publishing and ebooks in 2011—what I did wrong, what I learned, and what I've received as a result of writing and publishing ebooks.
Today, I offer Part 3 of 3, in which I regale you with more tales of my self-publishing adventure.
If you missed Part 1 of 3, Mistakes and Advice, click here to read it.
To read Part 2 of 3, Advice and Insights, just click here.
Today, I complete the series with Part 3 of 3, REWARDS—For Me and Maybe For You.
WHAT DIGITAL PUBLISHING DID FOR ME
Becoming a self-publishing indie author offered tremendous benefits. Before self-publishing, I was a category author which meant I had no power at all. A cut above me were midlist authors. They too had no power. Self-publishing meant I could chart my own course, and here's what happened.
1. I rediscovered the fun of writing because I could write anything I wanted. I was no longe writing according to what publishing houses said they wanted.
I was no longer waiting and waiting and waiting for an agent or editor/editorial committee to rule on a submission. I could plan, write, and publish a book, and I was limited only by my own effort.
Writing what I wanted to write without regard to genre, plot, theme, or anything was freeing because I no longer had to wait and wonder if what I submitted was still wanted. Publishers could change guidelines while an author was busy writing the requested manuscript.
2. I found an audience that loved my books. I believed in my writing and knew there had to be readers who would like what I wrote. I was right. Self-publishing allowed me to reach readers.
3. I had editors contacting me instead of the other way around. I had a very lucrative foreign rights sale because the editor read my first ebook and wanted it and others to publish abroad. Within minutes of making a call to a literary agency, I had a top agent to negotiate the contract.
4. I became a New York Times bestseller because I was part of a self-published anthology that hit their bestseller list in 2 places. (That was before they stopped allowing ebooks on the list.) I also hit the USA Today bestseller list 3 different times.
5. I sold video game rights to 3 of my ebooks.
6. I had audio book editions of some of my ebooks published.
WHAT DIGITAL PUBLISHING CAN DO FOR YOU
1. Give you another avenue other than traditional publishing to find an audience. With a traditional publisher, you must have the right product to attract an editor and an agent. You don't have to limit yourself to one of the other.
2. Shortcut the time required to get your books before readers by becoming a self-publisher. In fact, if you become a big success as a self-publisher, you may find it easier to get with a trad publisher if that's what you want and the deal is good.
3. Become financially stable by being a self-publisher. There are many self-publishers making a very comfortable living from their ebooks. Some self-publishers have their books being turned into Netflix series and movies.
4. Give you a platform where you make all the decisions. You get to choose the cover art, the blurb, the price, etc. As someon
5. Give you a real-world experience in writing and publishing—a superb training ground in what it takes to write, publish, and deal with every aspect with which authors must handle.
You'll learn all about the writing, the technical aspects of publishing, marketing, promoting, living with good and bad reviews, dealing with the reading public, and so many other things authors must do. It can prepare you for the long assault on traditional New York publishing if you decide to do that.
Everything I've said is from real world experience. I hope it helps and inspires you if you have the writing itch.
Becoming a selling author may be difficult, but it's easier than when I started many years ago. If it's what you want, go for it.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
I wish you the same joy and rewards digital publishing has given me. Like I always say, "Nothing ventured; nothing gained."
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