Member-only story
This morning I read another story about the ten keys to success as an indie writer. I read articles about the essential things a writer must do to get an agent. I read articles on how to succeed as an author. Reading those is part of the job. They are all well intentioned. Occasionally there are interesting nuggets, but honestly they’re kinda sorta all the same.
I started writing in 1988. First book came out in 1991. 42 books traditionally published, 5 with an Amazon imprint, around 30 indie published. I ran my own publishing company. I understand the gamut of publishing in a way few people do from idea through story through writing the book, publishing, marketing, running a business, etc.. I don’t say that to boast. Career-wise it would have been better to do one thing and been wildly successful at it. I did it out of necessity. My success as an indie author actually rests to a large degree on my “failure” as a traditional author because I got the rights back to every traditional book I had, including a series that had sold over a million copies in paperback. Trying doing that today. Essentially, I was ‘fired’ over and over by publishers. They don’t call it that; they call it not offering you a new contract. Frankly, I’m very glad not to have my livelihood depend on the next contract any more. That’s just my thing. Might not work for someone else.
Yes, you want the secret handshake. It’s coming. I’m just giving you some credentials because a lot of well-meaning (and perhaps not so well meaning) people are out…
