Thursday, February 14, 2013

Investing in Self Publishing - Getting Serious


Yay! It’s finally here! I published The Rustler’s Daughter, my historical/western romance. The ebook is available now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It will be available in paperback next month on Amazon.

This is the third book I have published. However, I realized that I am a writer, not a publisher. That’s a problem. This last year, has been a huge learning experience for me. One of the biggest decisions I've made is to get more serious about publishing. Since getting more involved in this whole process, I have learned that people can write books, make their own covers, and publish on Amazon (and other sites) with little to no help or money - nothing wrong with that.

However, I have been talking to several authors who have challenged me to take the next step, and to get serious about turning my writing into a publishing business. The difference? Money and time. No easier way to say it. I had to ask myself if I was willing to invest in me and my writing.

With The Rustler’s Daughter, I did invest more time and money than I did with my Dion series. I got a professional cover and an editor. I didn’t rush it. I made sure this book was the best I had to offer. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my other two books as well. But this one just feels different…it feels better…polished.

As a result, I have decided to invest in me. I am sending my first two books, Where Will You Run? and Where Will You Hide?, to my editor. I am going to have her go through them the way they should have been before I published them, but I didn’t know that then. Now I do. I’m also working with my very talented brother on making new covers for them as well. I bought ISBNs for my printed books along with bar codes, so that they can be sold in stores, and I am going to start working on book signings and other public appearances.

The other investments? I made a website (www.mefranco.com), and I also bought business cards (cheap through Vistaprint) and swag items. I am considering some reputable advertising companies as well once the other two books have been re-published with the updates.

Some of the complaints about self-publishing involve people pointing fingers at self published authors, saying they are lazy by not pursuing traditional publishing or publishing crap. The lazy part is totally ridiculous, although I have to say, I have read some crap books (traditional and self pubbed). I’ve seen some self published books that put traditionally published books to shame, and I’ve seen some I wouldn’t use in the bottom of a bird cage. 

Understand that I am not being critical. I'm just concerned. Obviously, it's in my best interest to see self publishing flourish, so I do worry when I see complaints about professionalism and inconsistency. If authors took the time to look professional (editing, polished covers, ISBNs, formatting, etc.), would it lend more credibility to self publishing and shut up the critics? Probably not, but who knows? 


Will I make it? Will all of this pay off? Honestly, I don’t know. But if I do fail, I want to say that I gave it my best shot. I want to say that I did everything in my power to make this work. I don’t want to have any regrets. 

12 comments:

  1. You put a lot of talent and hard work into your books. I take my hat off to you, and I have your back if anyone says you're lazy.
    You're a terrific writer and I love your books.
    Can't wait to read the next chapter in your Dion series.
    Congrats on your new release!!!

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    1. Janna, you are a big part of this next phase in my writing career. Thank you for believing in me :)

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  2. I think it`s lucrative, why should`t you go for plastic business cards printing as now a days they are much in demand..

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  3. Getting serious is the only way to go. Good luck! I'll be right behind you!

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    1. I'm so glad we are all here to support each other. It really makes a big difference. Thank you so much!

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  4. I just want to say how much I admire your hard look at the work. Your thoughts matter and I really hope you keep us up-to-date on this journey.

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    1. Thank you! I will definitely keep everyone updated on my progress :) I appreciate your wonderful comment!

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  5. It has worked and you didn't fail...because...you have written 3 books, people are buying them...you didn't quit...we have to learn that success isn't measured by being in the top 100 or a gazillion sales. To fail would have meant, you didn't finish the books, strangers didn't buy, and wouldn't have pushed yourself to look and be polished and professional!
    Congrats! Your journey...is just beginning!

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  6. I agree with Author Thomas Amo on this. I think you've been very successful with your writing. You actually did it. You have sales and people love your work. I think that's fantastic. I have to say that your books got better as you wrote, but even without the "professionals" getting to them, the core of your stories are amazing.
    I have to ask, does having a professional editor, paying someone to do your covers and paying someone else to publish your books worth it? After going both routes, (doing it yourself and using "professionals") have you noticed a marked difference? If so, does can you attribute it to the professionals, or is it because people are starting to get to know and love your work?

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    1. Thanks so much Jean! I appreciate the support. Good questions - here's what I learned:

      I have to say that I did get a lot more comments about my professional cover, so I think that did help. Covers are the first impression a reader gets. I had several people say they were going to buy the book based on the cover alone.

      As for the editor...I guess that depends on the author. I was an English major, and I'm great with grammar and punctuation, however, I found out that I'm a lazy editor of my own work. Once I write something, I go over it, but I miss a lot. It really helped to have someone professional review it, point out my punctuation errors, random changes in POV, and also spots where I overused words like "she" and "said." It just cleaned up my writing and made it flow better.

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