
Back in January, I stated my goal to publish Effigy. If the world's going to end in December, I said, I wanted to make sure I went out with a book (instead of a bang. Get it?). I then made the decision to go the self publishing route because, as it turns out, the publishing industry is just not that into me. I have so many rejection slips I'm a little afraid I may be personally responsible for the de-forestration of America.
And since I can't seem to get a shiny invitation to the big dance, I've decided to go stag.
I realize that saying, "Hey, read my book that no one wanted to publish!" is probably a little like saying, "Hey, this milk tastes funny. You should try it." But that's what I'm going to be doing.
For better or for worse.
Some days I feel very good about this decision. Well, maybe 'days' is a bit of a stretch. Some hours I feel very good about this decision. The rest of the time, I'm fighting the urge to crawl under my desk and stay there. The important part is that I haven't crawled under my desk and built a home there. Instead, I am crawling toward the promised land.

That'll give me time to finish my twenty pages of "final" edits, hand it off to a couple beta readers, wear a hole in my rug as I wait to hear back from the betas and then complete another round of "final" edits before getting it into the hands of my Copy Editor. This will lead to a third round of "final" edits.
And then... publication.
Yikes.
I had a moment at the end of last week when I thought, "This is going to happen. And it's going to be good." Pieces are falling into place. There's someone willing to work on a cover for me. There's someone working on creating maps for me. Actual maps of my actual fantasy world (and just thinking about that is blowing my mind). And there are people who are actually interested in reading this book (and if you're one of those people and you're just saying that to make me happy then, thank you!).
That's just icing on the cake, right?
Back in January, I wasn't sure if this was the right decision to make but now I feel (most of the time anyway) that it is. (Wonder how long that will last...)
But until it fades away, I'll be the one in the corner (baby steps, people) dancing like no one's watching.
And on that note, I am pleased to share with you my new theme song:
If your book is as fun to read as your blog posts, I'll be first in line for a copy!
ReplyDeleteWell, I like to think it is but I'm sure I'm not the most unbiased person on this subject.
DeleteStay strong with your decision - it'll all work out well! I've got my fingers crossed that the world doesn't end though - and I won't be drinking any milk at your house!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't drink the milk in my house either...
Delete'his is going to happen' AND it's going to be good.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I certainly hope so!
DeleteI will read your book! I am so excited for you! Honestly, this is big news. On another note, did you know that certain publishers actually buy the rights to self-published books as well? Maybe this is what they need to see that you are a serious threat, or contender. Good luck with the edits. I am cheering for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI'm constantly dealing with the same issues. I have no idea if I should give up on having it published traditionally or self pub it. Decisions decisions.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you book is awesome. It'll be huge. Then those smug bastards will weep that they didn't take your novel when they had the chance.
From your keyboard to the publishing gods' ears!
DeleteI know writers who have decided to self publish their novels and have had great success at it. If it feels right for you, then go for it. You are being very smart by making sure you do it right. There's no point rushing. You want to make sure your novel is kickass good first. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been sitting on this thing for years. It's time to do it.
DeleteYou've got to do what feels right for you and our book. I'm still aiming for traditional publication but I"m certainly open to the possibilities out there. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still open to traditional publishing. At least I think I am but this will work in the meantime.
Deletekeep holding on.
ReplyDeleteAlways.
DeleteHi M.J.!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thanks for stopping by my blog! It's very nice to meet you.
Congrats on going the self publishing route! Seriously. I think it takes some guts and brains to do this. Best of luck with those edits and with getting it out into the wild.
Enjoyed your IWSG post!
Cheers,
Jen
Thank you for the well wishes!
DeleteOnward! Congrats on taking such a big step. Looking forward to reading your book. :)
ReplyDeleteOnward, yes. Thank you very much.
DeleteYou certainly have the right attitude to carry you forward... go for it!
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the IWSG.
Yes, fortunately, I wrote this post during a confidence upswing. =)
DeleteHi MJ! Well done deciding to go out on your own. A couple of years ago I'd have said, don't do it! But I'm really changing my mind now. I might do the same on my next book. I love the cover and I really look forward to it coming out.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago, I never would've even considered it. The times, they are a-changing.
DeleteI'm glad to hear Effigy is coming along! It can be very scary to publish, especially self-publish, but it can also be worth it too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. I think I'm going to need to stock up on paper bags in which to breathe.
DeleteJust remember that all the early computer companies passed on the desk top computer, too. Where's HP, now, exactly?
ReplyDeleteHP's all over my house. That's where they are and my significant other is uber picky about computers. =)
DeleteWell, count me in as one of your readers as soon as it's all finished. I'm excited to hear that I'll get to read it soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot. It'll be out the end of September... somehow it seemed further away this morning.
DeleteCongrats on making that next step. You're so close! It's going to be fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI really hope so. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteWow, that's so exciting! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteYou're so close, hope you keep up the momentum :)
ReplyDeleteMe too. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
DeleteIt can be fun to dance with yourself :) After all, dancing is dancing!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds tough to be second-guessing yourself, but it also sounds like you're pretty confident you've made a good decision. Good luck going forward!
I am a truly terrible dancer. Just ask my co-workers who have had the misfortune of catching my rendition of the robot.
DeleteDoesn't matter! It's just fun. And also the robot is SUPPOSED to look terrible.
DeleteNot the way the people on So You Think You Can Dance do it. They're freaking INCREDIBLE!
DeleteSomeone made THE ROBOT look good? *faints*
DeleteSeriously! They're amazing. I put a clip of one guy on my Done. With. That. post. Bryan Gaynor does the robot to the song "Fireflies". Just incredible.
DeleteI can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThank you. =)
Deletei will do you an interview promotion! and i will get in line to buy one =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara. That would really be great.
DeleteYou rock. Get it done and I'd love to read your book. Nice promotional cover too.(:
ReplyDeleteThank you. My tech-savvy significant other helped a lot. Otherwise, it would not have turned out so well.
DeleteThank you everyone! I really love this writing community. You're a wonderful group of people!
ReplyDeleteI love this embedded comment feature! I hope I caught everyone. If I didn't, it's blogger's fault, not mine.
DeleteCheers!
Good luck! I'm sure your book will be a success! I love Billy Idol! :)
ReplyDelete-MJ
Thanks. I love Billy Idol too. Good thing, because I've had that song stuck in my head for about twelve hours now.
DeleteThat's awesome, MJ! (And the funny tasting milk line made me laugh.) If you decide to do a blog tour, you always have an open invitation to visit mine.
ReplyDeleteThe milk line made me laugh too but I often times find myself to be funnier than most people find me to be...
DeleteThanks for the invite. I'll definitely take you up on it. =)
Such great news for you! I'd say your dancing paid off. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'll keep dancing until they pay me to stop...
DeleteGood luck! So glad I checked out your blog. I love your sense of humor :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. And thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYour posts are always so funny and clever. I can't wait to read your book. Hope this comment makes you feel good for another hour of the day.
ReplyDeleteYour comment did buy me another hour of confidence. Thank you! =)
DeleteHave I ever told you I think you are very witty and that I *love* your humor?
ReplyDeleteNo?
Well then... see above :)
Your book is going to be a winner, not a weiner (just make sure the cover is not someone wearing a pair of briefs :)
Keep going, gal, keep going... you're looking great and you're nearly there :)
Oh man. Now I need to redesign my cover...
DeleteGood for you, M.J. (and excellent song pick!). I wish you the very best with it and look forward to checking it out in September! :-)
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
Thanks!
DeleteYou are awesome for going this route. They'll regret not taking Effigy. And you know I'll be wanting to do an author spotlight over Melissa's Imaginarium so whenever you're ready, I got the time. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic offer. Thanks, Melissa!
DeleteI'm behind you all the way! You will publish! It will happen! I believe it!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed, toes crossed.
Heather
Thanks for the support! And careful walking with those crossed toes...
DeleteAs soon as you publish it let me know, I'd love to have you on my blog for my author interview. :) Just because your self-publishing doesn't mean you won't succeed. It takes a lot of guts to put your self out there. Good luck. I can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jessica. That would be wonderful.
DeleteI love your sour milk line, but I have to say that the analogy doesn't exactly hold up. Sour milk is not subjective, except that some few people will drink it not realizing it's bad.
ReplyDeleteWith publication, not finding an agent or editor is all about not finding the right one yet. I suppose self-publication is just a way to bypass that. Congrats.
I can see how self publishing would be scary. I know a lot of authors who are doing well with it, and it sounds like you have a lot of good things in the works. Wishing you much success!
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome, albeit scary! Good luck with it all. I hope you go out with a book (or, preferably, don't go out, but get the book out...)
ReplyDeleteIt does sound awesome. I'm checking back through posts I may have missed. I'm sorry that you've gotten so many rejections. Out of curiosity, did you ever send one to Double Dragon Publishing? They're my publisher and are quite friendly. They do no marketing at all, don't use twitter, and have poor editors. However they do know how to publish an ebook in every corner of the internet, do a print version too, and do the cover art (which I think looks pretty good). And they're not snooty like some other publishers.
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never (from IWSG). Great post and terrific attitude!!
ReplyDelete