Stuff... and a surprise...

[lathriel]

Jared is going to Auburn tonight, so I'm going to get my paints out and have at it. I talked to a few illustrators about interior illustrations for TPaL, and the bottom line is that we can't afford to pay someone else to illustrate at the moment. So I'm going to give it a crack. I have a... "unique" style. I don't know, I used to think I had some talent but a former boyfriend told me that I didn't (:P), and even though I know I shouldn't listen to one other person... it's hard to not hear that whenever I struggle with an image. I am NOT the most accomplished visual artist. But I like it. And I do think I'm decent some of the time. Anyway, I'm going to try to create interior illustrations for TPaL (11- one for each Part and the Prologue), and from there, think of images to use for a cover. Cause... guys...

I think I'm going to self publish.

If indy musicians and indy filmmakers can be respected and have successful careers, then so can an indy writer. I feel that the reason there is so much stigma attached to self-published authors is because a lot of authors who choose that route go into it either with a chip on their shoulder or thinking that just because they wrote a book they can also be an editor, cover designer, and publicist. Why would it be different for me? Because I don't have a chip on my shoulder. Also, I know this is going to be a huge investment, that I can't do it alone, and that I don't necessarily know better than publishers. I'm going to have to do a lot of research, ask for a lot of help and favors, and hire people to do the work that I can't do.

I just feel this is right. Ever since the beginning of The Poppet and the Lune there was this flow and freedom attached to the project. Originally, I didn't even intend to try to publish it. Now, I feel that it must be published. And everywhere I look I've experienced signs pointing me in the direction of self publication, from other artists promoting independent art, to quotes and indications on the pages of Julia Cameron's books, to a tarot card reading at Samhain.

I'm not going to rule out "regular" publication. But I'm not going to rely on it, either. My destiny is my own, and just because an agent doesn't see that they'll make big money off of me doesn't mean I'm not going to live up to my potential. In doing the research, I will be preparing myself for the life of a self-marketing published author either way. But I will be doing the research, and I will be preparing the manuscript for publication.

So.

I know a lot of you out here have already read TPaL. I would love to hear your honest feedback- tell me where you think it needs work, or what elements you thought did not jive with the rest of the MS, or whatever you think I should be made aware of before I consider the MS done. And if any of you would like to read it again and give me feedback, I can send you a pdf file for your e-reader, or even mail you a printed manuscript if you'd prefer. Seriously, I want all the feedback I can get, both good and bad.

I am excited. I don't know where this will lead me, but not a bone in my body doubts that this is the right place to focus my attention for the time being.

<3

Comments

[sugarmaplelife.livejournal.com]

What an adventure! I, for one, would buy a copy. :) The upside to self-publication, no matter how much it is bashed, is the hugely larger profit per book sold. So yeah, you won't have the help of a big publishing house to market and distribute your book but you'll be entirely in control of your success and reap the rewards all by your lonesome. That's pretty great! :D I cannot wait to see how it turns out and to do my social-networking part to promote it. :)