This Stuff Ain't for Sissies! by Lori Leger

Self-Publishing and Promoting...A quick trip to Insanity, but what a HELL OF A RIDE!

As a self published author, here are just a small portion of the questions running through my "Abbie Normal"mind on a daily, if not hourly, basis... (feel free to ask if you don't get it and I'll explain...)

When should I release my next book?

Should I spend money on an editor or keep rolling like I have been?

Do I want to think about submitting to an agent/editor or keep rolling like I have been?

What should I name the next books in the series?

Should I start a new series?

What do I want on the cover this time around?

How am I going to find time to blog?

Can I really afford another writer's conference this year, both time and moneywise?

Should I drive or fly to Atlanta in October?

Should I enter contests?

Should I volunteer to judge contests? If so, how many?

Am I posting enough to Facebook...Goodreads...Twitter?

Should I start Pinterest? Would I even have the time to start something new?

SHOULD I blog more?

Am I doing enough to promote my books?

Should I start my own publishing company? If so, what does it take?

Should I make it exclusive to Amazon to take advantage of free days and the lucrative lending library income?

How much is too much to spend on ads or promo packages?

Trading cards or book marks?

Do I have enough humor in the new book?

Do I need more conflict?

Did I miss my turn at blogging on the Ass Cheek Angels? (Uh...YEP!)

Okay...I know I'm not special...I KNOW all of you ask yourselves some of these same questions. Right? Or is it just because I'm self-pubbed? I've never been traditionally pubbed so I don't know. But, it can't be just me losing my mind, right? THIS is why I resigned my job. No way...No way in HELL could I continue the full time job and the publishing end of the business. Writing was one thing, but the time it takes to publish...the rewriting...over and over...the tedious task of endless rounds of editing...over and over and over again (and I still miss the obvious, sometimes). All so time consuming.

So I get it published...it's OUT there...now to promote it. Good God Almighty, I only THOUGHT writing was time consuming. Promoting is the real time thief. And distractions...I'm like that dog in the movie "UP" ... SQUIRREL! and I'm off on ten different tangents. I've checked both of my emails..twice...pulled up facebook and goodreads...updated the website...updated my Amazon author page, and answered two tweets--and STILL haven't researched police procedures...the entire reason for connecting to the internet thirty minutes ago. Honestly, how does one succeed when one has the attention span of a gnat? Sigh...

Getting a book published is like having a child...nobody tells you how difficult it's going to be. But in the same way...it's totally fulfilling when you can pull up a website and see your books out there...or hold the copies in your hands, and you're getting messages from real fans (not your family or classmates) and they love your stories and thank you for wasting their day because they couldn't put the book down. Yep...it's like Kellie said just a couple of days ago...What a difference a year makes!

Writing and publishing...it ain't for sissies, ladies...but it's a hell of a ride if you've got the stamina for it!

Oops...Is My Optimism Showing?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret.  Come closer.  A little closer.  *Hmmph* Okay, too close. 

All kidding aside, I love where I am in life right now.  I feel very blessed, and I can't help it if it shows at times.  Yet, I'm a humble person.  My mother taught me to be thankful for what I have been given, work hard, and keep striving.  Don't get me wrong.  I don't want anyone to think I've got it all figured out--far from it, but I'm just fine with my place right now.

The reason I bring it up is recently a couple authors have expressed some concern about where they are in their careers and in life.  One was hesitant to even try publication because she wasn't sure how to handle any fame-big or little-that might come her way if she were ever published.  The other seemed to be seriously pissed off at the publishing community and was flouting her disregard for agents and editors on her blog, no doubt gaining a little notoriety.

I sooo am not judging.  The more I research, the more I believe there are several routes to publication...or not.  I'm not sure that one version of publication is more succesful than any other unless you hit it big like Nora Roberts or H P Mallory, and publication is not a necessity if your goal is simply to write because you love it.  Whether you choose to go mainstream, indie, or not publish at all, works out in the end.  As long as you're satisfied with your choices, it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks.

With that in mind, I'm happy with where my career is right now.  I've published a short story with an e-press, and I don't mind entering the occasional contest.  I'm not rushing to submit to agents or editors, but I will never rule that out as an option.  I've begun a short story I have in mind specifically for self-pubbing, and I'm learning to market myself through trial and error and the kind advice of other writers.

So, though I keep my ear to the ground for news on the state of publishing today, I'm not panicked, embittered, or even decided, for that matter.  Right now, I'm cautiously optimistic and taking it one manuscript at a time.

How about you?  Are you throwing your hat in one particular ring?  Are you keeping your publishing options open?  Are you happy where you are?

Happy Writing!

Cherie Marks

Into the Fire Amazon BuyLink: http://tinyurl.com/3f7vfnp
Into the Fire TWRP BuyLink: http://tinyurl.com/3mfn3zj
http://www.cheriemarks.blogspot.com
Facebook-- http://on.fb.me/qRl1lD
Twitter— http://twitter.com/cheriemarks