2020 has been an unusual year. While I can only pray 2021 will bring us a big return to the “Old Normal,” I look back at this year and what I’ve accomplished. In spite of the many challenges, it was a very productive year for me. I painted the interior of my house and got started on painting the exterior. I took advantage of the extra time I gained by not commuting and proved to myself that there were still enough hours in the day to keep writing. I requested the rights to my first 7 titles back from my publisher and made my dreams of becoming a self-published author a reality.
I remember a time not long ago when it was believed, by many, that self-publication was not a wise path for an author to take. If our work was rejected by publishers, it “wasn’t good enough” for publication, and even if this wasn’t the case, readers would believe it was. I believed this to be true as well so I sought out and found a publisher for my work. But the farther I got on my author journey, the less my initial reasoning resonated with me. More authors jumped on the self-publishing bandwagon. Some were making a killing in royalties, and they didn’t have to split these royalties with a publisher as those of us with a major publisher or small press did.
Other aspects of the self-publishing lifestyle were becoming appealing, too. Authors who didn’t answer to a publisher had full control of their cover design. They could discount their titles for a time, make them free if they so chose. They could go back and edit typos that their editors missed after their books were already published – yes, I have discovered a few of those. Self published authors had some control in an industry where so little is in our control. Putting my heart and soul into my books the way I did, how could I not want my books to be mine in every way?
It took a long time to make the decision to go indie. I’ve been a published author for almost 10 years (I got “the call” 10 years ago this month) and I dreamed of publishing with major publishing houses for as long as I could remember. But nearly a decade into my career as an author, I’m not the starry-eyed girl I was when I got started. I don’t see myself querying a publishing house at any point in the near future, maybe ever.
As 2019 ended and 2020 began, I mustered up the courage to do something I’d wanted to for a long time–request the rights to my first 7 titles back. I was sure I was crazy and that I could kiss any chance I had of ever selling a book again goodbye. But my sales didn’t drop. In fact, they improved a bit. My covers now looked the way I’d always wanted them to, were more reflective of my author brand as well as what series they belonged to. I had control over my prices, control over an entire process I’d always believed was too difficult to learn. I had creative freedom.
There is no “right” way to be an author. Every path has its challenges and all of us will stumble along the way, no matter what advantages we might have. This path will be different for every one of us and I can proudly say, one decade into this crazy venture, I’m finding my way. I’m learning to be true to myself, delving deeper into themes I love, stretching my imagination to its limits. I love being a writer and as I rerelease the final story marking a full transition from small press author to indie, I’m excited and proud. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring!
AN AMOROUS DANCE ReReleases December 14th!
He was her lover in another lifetime, but does Evan know more about Hannah’s father’s murder than he’s letting on?
When Hannah Rabourn, daughter of Rabourn Theater’s late owner, is attacked, a surge of flashes prompts her to consider her father may have been murdered. Hannah’s antagonistic stage director insists her subconscious is merely seeking closure. But as she and Evan become close once again, Hannah’s suspicions about the past deepen, and she wonders if the man she’s falling in love with for the second time knows more about the situation than he’s letting on.
Evan Masters’s dreams were shattered when theater-owner Baron Rabourn destroyed his budding acting career. Having forged an alliance with Rabourn’s former partner, Evan assumed a mission to transform Rabourn Theater into what it always should have been. Fellow conspirators believe Rabourn’s daughter is the key to power, and Evan is the means by which to achieve their ends.
But Evan’s feelings for Hannah are stronger than he believed. And when he realizes Hannah’s life is in danger, he must choose between his passion and his heart.
PRE-ORDER at Amazon for 99 Cents! FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Jessica,
You know that I have been with a publisher for 2 years before I finally said, “Enough!!!” I couldn’t take the waiting and the fact that everyone else was being published was published before me. I was terrified of self publishing but now I am enjoying every minute of it. Of course, I still have time to learn how to create a schedule that I can be comfortable with but that’s part of the learning process.
CONGRATULATIONS, Jessica!! Well done!! Welcome to the world of Self Publishing. I haven’t been here long myself but I’m glad I’m here and that I can Welcome you. We will figure it out together.
Yes, we will Diana! It’s a challenge I know we’re both up for and I’m excited to take it on!
Congratulations on taking the leap, Jessica. Thanks for the inspiring post.
Thanks, Anna, and my pleasure!