The cool thing about having a new book out and obsessively checking my Amazon numbers (LOL!) is I've discovered so many interesting, new indie books!
Seriously, go to Amazon and peruse the Top 100 lists for "Coming of Age" (link) or "Love and Romance" (link), and you'll find a virtual explosion of exciting, new indie authors creating a variety of books on the list.
It's truly a revolutionary time to be a writer.
I was telling a good friend of mine it feels like for the first time writers have the same opportunity as musicians or film makers. Now we can come out with new books in a fraction of the time it used to take, and it's up to the readers to decide if our product is entertaining or thought provoking enough to share.
The example I used was The Blair Witch Project. Remember that? (Just in time for Halloween!)
A group of kids made it with a camcorder then used the Internet to spread the word pre-release in all sorts of creative ways, and Bam! Indie blockbuster.
I don't remember if it was a blessing or a curse when someone used to say, "May you live in interesting times," but for writers, I'd argue it's a blessing.
Nowadays, if you follow the formula (great story + investment in quality), you really can find success. The only thing stopping you is you.
Will you invest the time to write a compelling story--your story? To hire an editor and copyeditor? To make the revisions needed? To create an eye-catching cover? To do the legwork it takes to get the word out?
If you will, it's completely possible these days for writing to be a true, sustainable career for any writer--not just the very lucky few.
How amazing. How blessed we are!
This week, I'm absolutely bursting with news... which has to wait (LOL!). But I can say, I'm working on Rouge again--cleaning out added content I didn't like, restoring it to my original vision (mature YA), sifting through cover images--and by November, I can't wait to share it with you!
In the meantime, I hope you guys are doing fantastic. What's new with you? How do you see this revolution and our changing times?
I'm telling you, writer-friends, there is absolutely zero reason now to give up. Whatever you do, keep swimming.
Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3
Seriously, go to Amazon and peruse the Top 100 lists for "Coming of Age" (link) or "Love and Romance" (link), and you'll find a virtual explosion of exciting, new indie authors creating a variety of books on the list.
It's truly a revolutionary time to be a writer.
I was telling a good friend of mine it feels like for the first time writers have the same opportunity as musicians or film makers. Now we can come out with new books in a fraction of the time it used to take, and it's up to the readers to decide if our product is entertaining or thought provoking enough to share.
The example I used was The Blair Witch Project. Remember that? (Just in time for Halloween!)
I don't remember if it was a blessing or a curse when someone used to say, "May you live in interesting times," but for writers, I'd argue it's a blessing.
Nowadays, if you follow the formula (great story + investment in quality), you really can find success. The only thing stopping you is you.
Will you invest the time to write a compelling story--your story? To hire an editor and copyeditor? To make the revisions needed? To create an eye-catching cover? To do the legwork it takes to get the word out?
If you will, it's completely possible these days for writing to be a true, sustainable career for any writer--not just the very lucky few.
How amazing. How blessed we are!
This week, I'm absolutely bursting with news... which has to wait (LOL!). But I can say, I'm working on Rouge again--cleaning out added content I didn't like, restoring it to my original vision (mature YA), sifting through cover images--and by November, I can't wait to share it with you!
In the meantime, I hope you guys are doing fantastic. What's new with you? How do you see this revolution and our changing times?
I'm telling you, writer-friends, there is absolutely zero reason now to give up. Whatever you do, keep swimming.
Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3
It is awesome how many options there are. Can't wait to hear your news.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to swim through my revisions. They are going well but watching a ton of Saturday swim meets my daughter is in is cutting down the time I have to write. But she's doing so well that it's worth the dog paddling.
yup yup yup yup uh huh uh huh as the sesame aliens say ... :-)
ReplyDeleteAAARGH - Jessica, those aliens are gonna be in my head all day...but you wiped out Dori's "just keep swimming just keep swimming" hahaha.
ReplyDeletePer usual, I agree with you - the cream always rises to the top and it's exciting to have some of the control returned to the people!
I wrote 13k last week on my current WIP and this week plan to work on revisions for it. I try to do at least one thing everyday toward my goal, my dream.
ReplyDeleteYou have news- I can't wait to hear what it is!
You know how awesome I think you are. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww you are so lovely LTM!! I can't swim but I sure can float! Yay! Take care
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You are an inspiration. I'm amazed when I look at all you've done, and I can see great things for you ahead. ((hugs))
ReplyDeletePS. <3 Dory <3!
I have the swimming ability of an anchor some days! Hope that your numbers are high. :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah it is a great time to get writing out there, still no sure a living can be made with it, it would be nice though. So I'll keep on swimming.
ReplyDeleteIt is all very exciting! Yes, zero reason is it.
ReplyDeleteSo yay for ROUGE! And yay for all your success!
And eeep! #14 on Coming of Age!!! How cool are you? :D
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting journey! And the choices a writer has are incredible.
ReplyDeleteI agree, these are very interesting times. A good time to be a writer.
ReplyDeleteThere have been so many changes over the past months in publishing! It's nice to know that indie pubbers are getting some recognition. ;)
ReplyDelete@Carolyn--Thanks, girl, and you know I couldn't have done it without you guys. ((hugs)) <3
ReplyDelete@LBD--I know! It feels like it's happening very fast, and I couldn't agree with you more. Good people getting rewarded for hard work. :o) <3
I love this post! Now, I just need to side line a few sharks that are getting in my way~ lol
ReplyDeleteFun to read and thought provoking ;D
<3 555
ooo can't wait to hear your good news!! So is your indie book doing well then? Sure hope so!
ReplyDeleteI agree it is so exciting to have these new ops. And I feel so thankful to those indie authors who plowed forward regardless of the naysayers and carved a path for the rest of us. We don't have to wait anymore--or find the "right" agent/editor. We just have to believe in ourselves and work hard.
Love all your awesome reviews! :)
I just finished The Truth About Faking, and oh my goodness, I'm obsessed! I'm planning a gushing review when I come back to my blog in November. It was such a fun, romantic read. Can't wait for Rouge!
ReplyDeleteHe he. You know how I feel about this. :D (And yes to all those questions).
ReplyDeleteThere are so many options for writers now. What a great time to be an author.
ReplyDelete@Ciara--it's so true! Yay, for writers! :o) <3
ReplyDeleteI think it definitely IS interesting times. I am not sure I am quite ready to go Indie, but that is partially a lack in confidence that I'm quite ready and partially a lack of resources to PAY for that professional editor. When I get my spring royalty check, if I haven't had traditional luck, that may be when I go for it...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post.I couldn't agree more - it's a wonderful time to be a writer!
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful time to be a writer and I think going indie is motivating ... hearing from the fans and all keeps me going.
ReplyDeleteI've just started formatting Hetty Locklear after putting in edits 7 doing a final read-thru. :) Should be up soon.
It IS a great time for writers. All we have to do is grab on to the opportunities we now have and throw our whole selves into our projects to get them right. You are so right: The only thing stopping you is you.
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