I haven’t really talked publicly about this. I haven’t really avoided the question either. I just kinda figured it didn’t really matter for my readers either way, so I kept quiet (on my blog at least).
But I’ve finally come to a place where I want to explain a few things. So here it is:
I’ve gone indie. For those of you not in the business, that means I self publish my own books, starting with Witch Born and moving on to Winter Queen. Witch Fall will be self published as well, and I recently bought my rights back for Witch Song.
One reason I held back was because there’s a lot of judgement about self published authors in general. That somehow indies settle because we couldn’t wiggle into traditional publishing. That quality wasn’t something you found in an indie author.
I’ve stopped caring what those people think. Partly because I know they’re wrong (my books are some of the best YA fantasy out there, indie or traditional). And partly because I don’t care if they refuse to read the books because they’re indie. Their loss.
So why did I decide to go indie? It’s a really long story, but I’ll try to keep it short: I’ve had an agent. I’ve had a contract from a publisher that I turned down. I’ve had a traditionally published book. I’ve had editors from publishers that you have heard of call me to tell me how much they loved one or the other of my books, but that they couldn’t publish it (mostly due to someone else’s call). I’ve had similar calls/emails from more agents than I care to remember.
And I hated it. I hated the drama and the waiting and the way so many authors are treated like minions because they’ve signed away their power. I despised basing my life on someone else’s approval. Waiting for some publishing fairy to tap my manuscripts with her magical wand and transform it from loose pages into a hardbound princess.
And I especially hated my traditional paychecks.
So I made the hard choice–the scary choice. And it turned out to be incredibly hard (at least at first), but not really that scary. I make lots more money as an indie than I did in traditional. I can let my perfectionism for my books have free reign. And my life doesn’t revolve around someone else.
Being indie is not for everyone. I don’t hate publishing or traditional publishers. I’m positive that with the right team of professionals in the right situation, I could be very happy. And if that found me, I might consider it. But I’m not looking for it. I’m perfectly happy where I’m at, and there are some things in the works that I’m super excited about (can’t talk about it yet, but soon!)
Questions? Comments?
Author
Aloha Amber,
Stopping by via Sir David's to say, well, aloha!
(And to thank you for the encouragement this post gives me. I'm close to having WIP#1 ready to be sent out and should it bounce back, I'm more than happy to look into indie – and we shall see what happens 🙂
Cheers and aloha (again… yes, we do say it a lot here in HI 🙂
You have to make the choices that are right for you and your books, and if that means going indie instead of the traditional route, more power to you for taking the risk and going for it!
You made the right choice. All writers need to decide what is right for both their books and themselves. Congrats on all your success.
Every writer has to do what works for them. It's not about right or wrong in this business for me. It's about what works. Going indie won't make me stop reading you. 🙂
Definitely own it. 🙂
I think you are very brave to take your books back. And that you are an inspiration to all authors if you need any PR let me know.
Yeah. It can be a tough choice. It's wonderful, though, that the indies are changing the face of publishing. Good luck!
Mark: My hubby went to Hawaii for our anniversary and I absolutely loved it. I'd move there in a heartbeat if he could find a job.
Phili: I'm so glad I made the decision I did.
Sheena: Totally agree. It's so individual that I can't pretend my answer is everyone's answer.
David: It better not. -.-
Michelle: Agreed.
Jessica: Thanks!
Donna: To you as well! Hope your book makes a killing.
I find your choice to be very brave. I have had a friend who decided to go indie and hasn't regretted her choice. I see no reason why an author who has dedicated so much to prepare their novel, who has gone through the "drama," and been rejected shouldn't get their work noticed their way.