The 411
Hey y'all! There's been some confusion that I want to clear up! The release date for Luminary on September 4th was for the eBook. The paperback will take a couple months and here's why.
One thing I have learned over the years is that every self-published author is different. There's no one way that works for everyone. There's no magical answer to success. We all struggle. We are all trying different ways to reach readers. Sometimes our tactics work, sometimes they don't.
The most important thing for you to know about self published authors is we do EVERYTHING. And by everything, I mean EVERYTHING. There's no publishing company backing us, marketing us, giving feedback, beta reading, creating covers, editing, formatting, yada yada yada. Self published authors have to pay for all of that. And let me tell you...it's not cheap! While it can be, you pay for what you get. So, for me, I invest a little bit more money to have a better product for YOU. Yes, I care about you, READERS, and what I'm presenting you. I want the best of the best. You deserve the BEST!
My books might not always come out in a timely fashion. They may not always happen when you want them to happen, but when they do, they'll be books I'm proud to make available(whether in eBook or paperback format). While my eBooks always come first because I'm trying to get the book to you as soon as possible, the paperback will come(it just requires a little more time and a little more money). You probably won't get more than one or two books out of me in a year. It's not because I want to torture you and make you wait for sequels. I don't sit on my couch evil grinning and cackling, trying to decide how to torment you next. Shall I make them wait? Shall I draw this out as long as possible so the pitch forks arrive? I promise you, I don't want that. I'm not one of the big fish. I still have a day job. I write when I can and when inspiration hits. Sometimes it's on my hour lunch break. Sometimes it's at 8:00 or 9:00 at night when I've already worked a stressful 9 hour day. Most of the time my writing time means the husband gets ignored for months on end, and so does the house, as well as EVERYTHING else because I'm trying my best write a dang good book. My time isn't balanced. I don't know that I'll ever figure out how to balance my time equally. So, basically I'm exhausted. ALL. THE. TIME.
Not only are self published authors paying for editing and formatting and cover design to create presentable books, we're paying for swag(bookmarks, magnets, pins, t-shirts, etc, etc..), author banners, book conventions/signings (yes, we pay to go to conventions to meet YOU), marketing (blog tours, cover reveals, release day blitzes, etc...) The list goes on my friends and it adds up. OH! And because we love you(SO MUCH), we give away books! We're losing money (money some of us can't necessarily afford to lose) when we give away books. BUT we do that to give readers the opportunity to find us! We do that so people will take a chance on us! We do it to encourage people to read. Because in the end, isn't that what it's all about?
While it may take money to self publish, mostly it takes TIME. So much time. Because not only are self published authors writing books, if they don't hire someone to do it for them, they're also creating teasers and promos and cover banners for their FB/twitter/blogs. They're writing blog posts and facebooking updates and instagramming and social networking to stay in the loop and keep readers in the loop and happy! What it comes back to is making readers happy. That's all we want to do!
In no way do I want you to think I'm complaining. I CHOSE this route. I never tried the traditional publishing route. I've never queried an agent. I'm too much of a control freak for that. Exhibit A: http://www.mindyhayes.com/https/mindy-hayessquarespacecom/2013/03/27/control-freak. Self publishing is the route I wanted to go. I LOVE it! But it's hard work, and takes time and effort, and sometimes bookoo bucks.
Maybe some day I'll be able to quit my day job and write full time, but for now I'm grateful for what I have. I have an incredibly supportive fan base. While you might be few, you are mighty. You know who you are and I'm SO grateful for you! I couldn't do this all without you! But please, please be patient with me. I'm only one person. And I'm trying my hardest to create something to be proud of. Something you will want to share.
LOVE YOU ALL!