Major Writing Decision: I'm Going Indie--Here's Why

MJWare · Jul 24, 2011

Okay, I know I haven't been around Kidlit forums much recently, but you gals (and guys) are like family to me, so I just felt I should make some sort of official announcement here.

I've made the decision to go Indie. To be completely honest, one of the main reasons is simple, no agent picked up SZJMB. But my ebooks sales are going well and I think there's an audience for my writing.

I've also watched great manuscripts like Sweetness not get picked-up by any of the big houses. I can't say SZJMB is so good it should have been snapped up. But I know 2 other kidlt writers on AW whose agents couldn't sell wonderful manuscripts. I feel comfortable saying that one of these should have been sold, really all 3!

What that says to me is that just writing a good book and a killer query letter isn't enough. It takes luck, apparently lots of it, to get published.

I've done the math and with the reader base I've already established and a little work, I should be able to make as much or more than a 5k advance would pay.

The real reason I'm going indie is because I don't write for myself; I write for the kids that I hope will read.

I've posted a long explanation and even answers to so common criticisms that I expect to receive. I think it's against the rules to post a link to a personal blog, so if you want to read it there's a link to my blog in my sig.

MsJudy · Jul 24, 2011

I think whatever works for you is good. The main drawback of going out on your own is marketing and building a reader base. If your sales are meeting your expectations, then there's no reason not to go for it.

Best of luck with it!

MJWare · Jul 24, 2011

JudScotKev said:
I think whatever works for you is good. The main drawback of going out on your own is marketing and building a reader base. If your sales are meeting your expectations, then there's no reason not to go for it.

Best of luck with it!

It would be great to get to have the UPS man drop off a box of my own hardbound books. But really, there's so many talented writers here, who aren't published or even agented that I just can't see the benefit in putting my novels in a drawer.

The other drawback of coarse is not having an agent. Not just for selling rights, but feedback, career guidance, etc. Still, I'm seeing more and more Indie writers whose agent contacted them--there's a change.

It was a tough choice. But for, I think it's the right one.

Thanks!

CharleyGirl · Jul 25, 2011

Congrats on making such a big decision, and best of luck! It sounds like you've done your research and are in a great position for success

Morrell · Jul 25, 2011

Good luck, mware! Sounds like you are moving forward in a positive direction.

swachski · Jul 25, 2011

It sounds like you've thought through your decision and already have a head start on marketing ebooks. That's awesome. Keep us posted on your journey -- it would be nice to hear what works and what doesn't when self promoting.

Best of luck!

sissybaby · Jul 25, 2011

Congratulations, Mware, on both the sales success and the decision to go Indie. It is frustrating to know good books are being passed over.

Hope you'll keep us posted here on how things proceed.

Spiral · Jul 25, 2011

Good luck Mware! I'd also be interested in hearing about how things are going.

jvc · Jul 25, 2011

Same as everyone said, and very good luck to you

SheilaJG · Jul 25, 2011

Good luck, mware!

I bought your book. Great title, nice cover, and who can resist a Bonus Zombie Short!

sameerjoad · Jul 25, 2011

Good decision, keep it up and wish you future success as a fellow indie.

Deleted member 42 · Jul 25, 2011

mware01 said:
I've made the decision to go Indie. To be completely honest, one of the main reasons is simple, no agent picked up SZJMB. But my ebooks sales are going well and I think there's an audience for my writing.

You're self-publishing; "going indie" would mean you are using an independent publisher.

I hope you do very very well.

RexZentah · Jul 25, 2011

Good luck mware. MC Hammer made more money selling his records out of his trunk than after getting a contract with a major recording company.

Here's a story you may like. I used to sell my own greeting cards to local stores. I received the oddest complaint once, the store owner was 'unhappy that my cards didn't sell out sooner.' I was amazed, they sold all of the cards they bought from me? I don't care if it takes a year that's a great accomplishment. I have tons of stuff that will never sell

Smish · Jul 25, 2011

Go, Mike! You know I think the world of you and wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted!

(Medi's right about the terminology, though.)

playground · Jul 25, 2011

Best of luck.

MJWare · Jul 25, 2011

It was great getting home from work and seeing all the encouragement and positive responses. I'll try to keep everyone updated on how it's going. If anyone gets a hankering to publish a few shorts or a drawer novel, let me know. I'll be glad to help.

Thanks!!!

Medievalist,
I think the whole kindle ebook crowd has pretty much co-opted the term indie. I will be setting up my own publishing company, so that's close enough either way =-)

Sheila,
Thanks, I hope you enjoy it. If you do, drop me a PM and I'll be glad to pass SZJMB along when it's ready. Oh, and if you spot any errors let me know =-)

shadowwalker · Jul 25, 2011

mware01 said:
Medievalist,
I think the whole kindle ebook crowd has pretty much co-opted the term indie. I will be setting up my own publishing company, so that's close enough either way =-)

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211120

See #4

But best of luck, regardless.

Kitty Pryde · Jul 26, 2011

Hey, good luck! We'll be rooting for you

*toasts MWare with her finest zombie juice*

ChristyM · Jul 27, 2011

Sounds like a great plan!

MJWare · Jul 31, 2011

Kitty, we swapped betas waaay back didn't we? It's been so long that I almost forgot; so you know zombie juice is just Lemonade.

Which gives me a good idea. I'm going to give away zombie survival kits as part of my kick-off event. I will have a copy of the book, a small Super Soaker, etc. I should include some zombie juice mix too.

Again, thank you everyone for all the support and warm thoughts, you all rock!

Smish · Jul 31, 2011

Zombie survival kits?! That's AWESOME.

MsJudy · Jul 31, 2011

oh, I can just imagine all the happy moms now, when your readers start soaking each other with lemonade...

jtrylch13 · Jul 31, 2011

Good luck mware! I don't think there should be any negative criticism for self-publishing when you've followed all the traditional paths; Written book, revised, revised, beta readers, revised, revised, etc., queried, queried, queried, etc. If an agent doesn't pick up a great book or an agent can't get a publisher to pick up a great book, whose to criticize an author for trying other avenues. I only have problems with self-publishers when they do so hastily with out perfecting their book and trying "the right way" first. Okay, slight rant there, but I recently got burned on purchasing a self-pub that was so awful I couldn't even read it. Good luck with all your future endeavors. Many of us will be following suit if we can't go the traditional route.

jilly61 · Aug 1, 2011

Best of luck, Michael. I hope it works out for you.

MJWare · Aug 1, 2011

MsJudy said:
oh, I can just imagine all the happy moms now, when your readers start soaking each other with lemonade...

Yes, lemonade in the eyes stings (I tested it out ;-) But the real fun will be when they start building the zombie juice bombs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIkfRR2mGXI&NR=1

Fortunately, the blast isn't as big as it looks in the video, but I haven't worked up the nerve to hold one until it pops.

jtrylch13 said:
Good luck mware! I don't think there should be any negative criticism for self-publishing when you've followed all the traditional paths; Written book, revised, revised, beta readers, revised, revised, etc., queried, queried, queried, etc. If an agent doesn't pick up a great book or an agent can't get a publisher to pick up a great book, whose to criticize an author for trying other avenues. I only have problems with self-publishers when they do so hastily with out perfecting their book and trying "the right way" first. Okay, slight rant there, but I recently got burned on purchasing a self-pub that was so awful I couldn't even read it. Good luck with all your future endeavors. Many of us will be following suit if we can't go the traditional route.

That's really the question, is my book a great one? Or even a good one. Or do I need to hone my craft more? I'll find out soon enough. But you are right, great books aren't getting picked up. And some people are rushing to publish whatever they can throw together.

I hate to say it, but over 50% of what's put out there isn't up to snuff (IMHO).

Just remember, with Amazon and B&N you can always return ebooks if they are that bad. I had one return last month, but is was on my non-fiction title, so it didn't really sting.

Major Writing Decision: I'm Going Indie--Here's Why

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