The Business of Self-Publishing, Part 3*: Keep the Window Open and Sudden Secrets

Section of Girl Reading Letter by an Open Window by Johannes Vermeer 

(public domain) Full Picture Found HERE

Keep the Window Open

Some of the discussions about publishing that take place online are purposely inflammatory to draw out a long conversation of incendiary comments. Since my blood rises hot under my skin during some of those discussions, I've finally decided that it's best not to read or take part in them. 

Why?

I want to keep the window of publishing opportunities open. My dream of writing and publishing includes becoming a completely hybrid author with books on the big traditional, the small press, and the indie shelves. 

I self-publish short stories, novels, and collections of work. Also, I submit work to magazines and anthologies. Currently, I am writing a novella in a series for a small press publisher under the wing of a novelist who wrote a bestseller as a teenager.

This last project came from a direction I didn't expect, like a heavy curtain drawn back to reveal a hidden window of bright sunshine opportunity. It came at an unexpected time and from an unexpected place, but I wasn't going to close the window or draw the curtain back over it. I've throw the shutter open and leaned out into the air.

I love being a self-published writer, but I also just love writing and getting published. :)

How do you keep the window of opportunity open? And, what's your progress in writing, submissions, publishing, marketing, etc. this week?


For a similar theme, check out Lynette Labelle's post on the Number One Rule of Publishing (Be Nice).

Also, if you didn't know already, there's this amazing hybrid author who writes incredibly wonderful teen fiction and her latest book is out!

Sudden Secrets by C. Lee Mckenzie at Amazon and Evernight Teen!



Tiny Update on Writing Submissions: I had one story rejected, and a series of hint fiction stories accepted since last Wednesday. Several short stories are hanging out there in the submission ether, and I haven't written or subbed for Write1Sub1 this month yet. I'm keeping all the windows open and enjoying the breeze. :)

.*Next month, I'll be changing this series to "The Business of Writing and Publishing." I'll still have some tips on here for self-publishing, but I think this is a better name for a series of posts meant for all writers.

The "Business" of Self-Publishing, Part 1

Way back in 2012, I researched publishing options for my novel, Champion in the Darkness. I researched agents and publishing houses online and in Writer's Markets; I looked at the publishing houses of the books that I found were most like mine; I researched small presses; I read articles about self-publishing.

I thought, from what I had learned, that only those with a foot already in the door of publishing could get Christian fantasy fiction published. Every author I read in that genre had books published in different genres first. Every agent I found seem to state that they didn't accept Christian fantasy as a genre unless the author already had something published in something like Amish Romance fiction, or Christian Thriller fiction, or secular Fantasy fiction.

Yet, I still wanted to get my book into the hands of readers. I started researching self-publishing, and after six months of research, I thought I knew how to go-ahead.

I didn't.

Well, obviously, I figured out some of it because I went ahead and self-published Champion in the Darkness in February 2013 under my own publishing company name, Wings of Light Publishing.

Since then, I have learned a huge amount. It's been a steep learning curve, and I've often slid back down the slippery slope. I'm no Hugh Howey of success. But, if I can help others who have chosen self-publishing, then I would like to do that.

My very first tip: Set aside at least one full year to research self-publishing. Keep writing during that time, but dig into the subject deep. Read articles and books on self-publishing - both from the cheerleaders and the naysayers. Filter the ultra-positive and the ultra-negative out. Read books by successful authors who are self-published. Study their covers. Study the length of their books. Study the way that they've released their books. Stalk their blogs for advice and information.

Here are four places I suggest to start with:

Susan Kaye Quinn - To celebrate her third Indie-anniversary, she's giving away a free indie publishing consultation. However, even if you don't get that, her site is chock full of information for writers and independent publishers. Sign up for her newsletter, stalk her blog, and learn.

Hugh Howey - Hugh Howey is "the name" in the independent publishing industry. Sign up for his newsletter, stalk his blog, and learn. Also, pay careful attention to the way he released his bestselling Wool series. (More about this in a later post of this series.)

Insecure Writer's Support Group's Self-Publishing Page - IWSG is helpful for every writer. Their page on Self-Publishing has tons of useful links. A collective of writers has created this page, so it's a great place to get a great combination of ideas and thoughts.

M Pax is an indie author who often has insightful posts on self-publishing, marketing, and everything it takes to write and publish.




If a year seems like far too long to research the subject of self-publishing, then I suggest looking at other options. Self-publishing is hard, patient work. Any kind of publishing is hard, patient work. Writing a novel is an accomplishment, and if you are finished, celebrate. But then, know that the publishing side of writing is going to be just as involved and just as much of an accomplishment as writing a novel.

365 Days of Blessings, Days 205 and 206

Double Blessings Day!

Giving Thanks and Praise for:

1. Getting my poem, "Black Diamonds", published at Every Day Poets. Check it Out:
Black Diamonds

2. Meeting awesome new blogging buddies through the Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest!!! Thanks for stopping by!

3. Being just about-almost-just-that-one-present-I-forgot finished with Christmas shopping.

4. Picking out the best of the year's photos for an annual Christmas letter.

5. Bob's Sweet Stripes Candy - it's made with sugar and not corn syrup, which means everyone in our house can eat it!!!

6. Listening to Christmas music on the radio . . . I wish it would last longer, like for 12 days after Christmas day.

7. Tape.

8. Ribbons.

9. The awesome help of my daughters. They've wrapped most of the presents!!! Except their own, of course.

10. A serious family planning session for the Dawn Treader gingerbread boat, to be completed tomorrow . . . we hope. We've had three successful homemade gingerbread years. Before that, all of our houses and castles collapsed. For our plans so far, we've simplified them into a squarish boat, in the hopes that we can avoid ginger disaster. It may only be recognized as the Dawn Treader by us, and a sign in the end, but we have high hopes at this point.

I finished writing the annual Christmas letter, and I'm going to count it as blessings 11-20.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2:8-12

Greetings!

We hope you are all enjoying a wonderful, warm-hearted Christmas season. We have had a wonderful year.

Anna (11) and Trisha (9) danced with Action Dance at four competitions and one convention, including a the Spotlight World Cup in Seaside, OR. They also danced at two parades, community events, and one paid gig. They continued homeschooling, and we are enjoying our second year at both Harbor Christian Home-school Co-op, and our Family Co-op. They skied, played, and swam. In addition to all of that, Anna moved from Children’s Choir to Middle School Youth Group at church, and Trisha sang a solo for Children’s Choir, and then a duet for the Christmas Program. Anna also sang on Wednesday Night Family Night worship with the Middle School band.

John (43)continued working hard as an supervising engineer at Tacoma City Light, teaching snowboarding on the weekends, working as a sound and media guy for our church, and producing dance videos for the dance studio. He also enjoyed both a summer and a fall softball season.

Tyrean (39) continued to teach, write, blog, and walk the dogs. She had some poetry and a story published this last year, and started a 365 Days of Blessing project on her blog. Participating in National Novel Writing Month in November, she challenged herself to write a 50,000 word rough draft of her Christian fantasy novel, The Crystal Sword. Tyrean is also enjoying teaching two classes at Co-op, Writers’ Workshop Adventure and The Shakespeare Affect.

Altogether, we had an amazing year, enjoying our winter, spring, summer and fall days playing together and learning together. We were blessed by gracious friends who hosted us in Washington D.C. over the 4th of July. They showed us the sights, gave us tips on touring our nation’s capitol that were invaluable on hot, crowded summer days. We loved every moment of our trip, and especially enjoyed our experience acting as soldiers at Williamsburg. We worshiped at the National Cathedral, one of the largest Cathedrals in the world. We were wowed by the fireworks over the Washington Monument. We toured many of the 17 buildings of the Smithsonian Museum. We finished our trip with the monuments and memorials, with the Korean memorial reminding us that Freedom is Not Free. This memorable trip of a lifetime was truly a gift to us from our wonderful friends – Thanks Wilborns!

If that wasn’t enough, we also made our annual trek to Creation Fest, where John had the privilege of filming B roll video. We all went on the Middle School Road Trip, and the Youth Ski trip at Mt. Baker. The kids went to Zoo camp again this year, adding to their knowledge of the animal kingdom. We also volunteered at the Harbor Hope Cat Rescue for our second year, and enjoyed our furry friends there. The girls both dream of working with, or saving animals, someday, when they aren’t dancing. Of course, if you see them at the store, in the library or just about anywhere, their feet are tap, tap, tapping. So, maybe someday there will be an animal and tap dancing show coming to a stage near you. All silliness aside, we’re wishing you a

Merry Christmas!!!

365 Days of Blessings, Days 168 and 169

Counting these as Blessings and Giving Thanks for:

1. Seeing "proofs" of Every Day Poets first print anthology, including the proof pages where my poem, "Grace Unexpected" will be in print! Woohoo!

2. The editors at Every Day Poets who give constructive criticism whether they are sending me a rejection letter, or a "please revise, and resubmit" letter.

3. Two Sunday School teachers who made my day yesterday afternoon. When I said I needed help, they jumped in and created solutions for today's Sunday School session.

4. Watching three toddlers at play yesterday evening at a double family birthday party.

5. Giving swinging rides to two twin boys (one at a time) and smiling with them.

6. My daughters are thankful for the fun they had playing with their twin cousins who led them on a merry chase upstairs and downstairs, shrieking with delight.

7. The double 80th birthday party yesterday.

8. My oldest played soccer with two of her cousins, and had fun getting muddy. Soccer isn't her usual game, but she liked it.

9. Finding out that one of the older girl cousins is/was an Irish Step dancer, and having the girls all show each other some of their dance steps.

10. Seeing family that I haven't seen a while.

11. Enjoying the beauty of someone else's nearly finished construction project. My husband's cousin, who hosted the party, is building his own home with the help of his talented wife and his Dad. The tile work is gorgeous, the floor plan is open and welcoming, and the place is wonderful.

12. Feeling re-energized about our home projects. That pesky upstairs bathroom isn't finished yet, but it will be soon (we hope). Then we have a messed up sliding glass door to replace, carpet to pull up in three places, new paint, closet shelves, the downstairs bathroom with its water damage, and when all that's done, we might work on the fireplace. Oh, and the roof, and one of the foundation posts . . . those actually need to be done sooner rather than later. The joy of living in a 60 year old home is that there is always something to do. Boredom is never an issue.

13. Operation Christmas Child!!! We love this project!

14. Shopping for Operation Christmas Child with my daughters and my mom this afternoon. We have so much fun filling up our shoebox containers with goodies for children in need. We pick out toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes and barrettes, and then . . . the fun happens. Scarves, hats, shirts, toys, dolls, teddy bears, colored pencils and paper can call be stuffed into those containers, and we get so much joy out of deciding what each of our boxes will hold. As we go through the store, we each have our own container to fill up, and each one gets something a little different.

15. Seeing my youngest daughter write a card to go with her shoebox of gifts this year.

16. A homemade folded flip origami toy with special drawings going into a shoebox.

17. Making vanilla brownies with chocolate chips. Yummy!

18. A wonderful gracious friend having us over for a "chili" party.

19. A house full of cooking smells.

20. God gives us the gift of giving.

Scripture Blessings: "We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8