I Did It!

Last friday was an important day for me, because last Friday, November 8th was the re-release of my novella Razel Dazzle.

Although every release is important, because every book I write means something to me, last Friday was extra special because it was the release of my first self-published book. Now, I know that is going to sound a little silly to some people, because there are a lot of Indie authors out there; a lot of self-published books, but this was the first book that I had complete and utter control over; from hiring an editor, to ordering a cover, picking a release date, ordering tours etc. I was in charge and it felt . . . liberating.

When first started looking for publishers, well, I didn't have a lot of luck with my submissions. In fact I think I had about 60 rejections in total, which naturally, got me down. My aunt was actually the first person to ask me if people self-published and state that I should try it; publish my own books.

My answer, no way. I didn't have a clue about how to go about promoting a book let alone publishing one. No, there was too much I needed to learn. I needed to see how a publisher went about business, get my foot in the door.

I have been a published author for two and a half years and I've worked with a few publishers; some of the experiences weren't great, and after these last couple of years, well, I promised myself that if I ever got the rights back to some of my work, I would self-publish those titles, because after two years I now have a better idea of how this industry works and what I need to push my work. I am now at a point where I feel confident enough that I could be completely in control of the entire process of creating a book starting with the idea and the plotting all the way to formatting, and loading the finished manuscript.

And guess what, I did it. Or rather, I have done it. I have to admit I did worry that I would botch up. I worried that I would do everything wrong and then end up ripping all my hair out because I have no patience at all. But with the help of the lovely Dianna Hardy, and the help of the Smashwords Guide to Self-Publishing, well, it was actually rather straightforward. I didn't feel panicked and even better I didn't botch up. The things I did need to correct were minor, and the book released on time. So far so good.

Liberating. Yes, that is the only way I can describe being able to control the entire process of a book, and I actually think that being able to publish my own work might kick me. I felt very on edge when I was getting Razel Dazzle prepared for release. I had the itch. The need to sit down and get it done, and after a year of changing jobs and crappy personal problems, it felt so so so good to feel that way. To need to write, to work.

A couple of the self-pubbed authors have told me that publishing your own work is addictive, and once you start you wont want to stop. I have to admit it certainly is appealing, and right now as I write this my mind is already trying to work out when I can start work on re-editing my Werewolf erotic romance, She-Wolf. A book, a long with its sequel and any that follow which will also be self-published.

TWhat do you think, am I catching the self-pub fever? ;-P