Lately, there's been a lot of talk about self publishing. This stems from Thomas Nelson Publishers announcing a division they've created that will help authors publish their work.
Enough publishers, editors, agents, and authors have shared their thoughts on this matter. I'm not going to weigh in on the conversation. Sometimes it's overwhelming to read all the chatter on blogs and Facebook and Twitter about this or that. Most of the time I'm too busy to have an opinion one way or the other.
The reason I'm writing this blog is because I'm about ready to self publish a novel next month. And when I say self publish, I mean self publish. I'm not working with a company who will do the job for me. I've done everything--paid an editor, a book designer, a typesetter, a copyeditor. I'm going the traditional trade book route of printing. I'm doing the lowest affordable print run in this boat: 2,500 copies.
So why am I doing this? Amidst all the pros and cons about self-publishing, why in the world am I entering that arena and publishing a novel myself?
Here are some reasons. I share more thoughts in the author note at the end the story, but here are some quick notes to share for those who might be curious.
First off, I wrote Every Breath You Take as a love letter to our daughter, Kylie. It's written from the perspective of a new father. It's an original story with a great hook. It really doesn't deal much with a father of a toddler. But I wrote it with Kylie in mind, and just like all my novels, it's a reflection of the time it was written. It didn't feel right putting it in storage for five years, then dusting it off and seeing about publishing. It was either now or never.
Another reason I decided to do this was because I've been wanting to self publish a story for five or six years now. I always thought it would be cool to self publish a Christmas novella and see what I could do with it. I've written a couple--both are pretty average and should stay in my closet. But this is the fulfillment of an idea and dream I've had for a while--to do all the steps myself and see what happens with it.
Third, I self published because of the SWEET CASH I'M GOING TO MAKE! Yeah, right. If that was the case, somebody better put me in an institution. For me, I'm hoping I break even on this project. Just like all my writing, it wasn't about making money. Hey, I have to make a living, so I'm hoping it sells through its printing. You never know with any book. But I worked so hard on this last year, writing and rewriting it, and I know that it certainly deserves its place on the shelf next to my other works.
Last but not least, I really, truly love this story. I do. It makes me smile. I've written some heavy and dark books recently, and this was a breath of fresh air. I've repeatedly been asked when I'd write another love story, and this is it.
Not sure when I'll write another unabashed love story like this. Maybe never. Maybe next month. Who knows.
So for those keeping tab, these are the reasons I'm self publishing. I'm curious to see what happens with this little story and how the rest of the journey turns out. I think it could be huge, but then again, I think that with every single novel I write.
Only time will tell.
Labels: Every Breath You Take