Happy Hump Day, WG2E-Land!
As many of you have been reminding us in recent days, there are a ton of you who are now superfab WG2E-Land Peeps and who are also brand new to Indie Epublishing.
With that in mind, I noticed it had been a while since we’d had a Guest who talks about “why he or she is going the Indie Epub Route versus the TradiPub Route”.
So fill-up your coffee or tea cups and put on your Ruby Slippers and help me welcome the wonderful Lois Lavrisa to The WG2E!
Take it away, Lois…
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Happy (almost) New Year to all out there in wonderful WG2E-Land!
D.D. suggested that I write about why I want to try independent publishing. If you would indulge me, and allow me to take huge liberties with a classic story, I will tell you my (abbreviated) story of my efforts to get traditionally published and why I am planning to indie publish in 2012.
Perhaps many of you have been through the same scenario as I, and because of this many of you may also feel disenchanted. Here is my tale:
Somewhere, over the rainbow in New York, publishing happened. Agents and editors in the shining city had power to grant writers their dream of being a published author. Of course, as a writer I wanted to achieve that dream too. And therefore, I worked diligently and tirelessly: I joined professional writing organizations, attended countless writing conferences and workshops along the road to publishing success.
Beta readers and critique partners read my work. I learned the craft, I networked, I wrote and rewrote. Then I did it all over again.
At last, with my manuscript polished and complete, I decided to pitch it at a conference. When it was my turn for my pitch session, I was led down a long golden carpeted hallway, to a large conference room which emitted an emerald glow under the fluorescent lights. Trying to act confident, I straightened my back, and marched my ruby shoed feet toward the table assigned me, and then I sat down.
My note cards trembling in my hand. And here’s how it (sort of) went. (Please note ‘editor’ can be substituted with ‘agent’ and vice versa):
“I am the great and powerful editor. Who are you?”
“I am the mmm..meek and mild writer, Lois.” I stumble over the words as if my brain cells had liquefied, as I nervously smoothed a pleat of my blue and white checkered dress. My heart pounded so loudly I could hear it in my ears. My fear was audible, I felt like a coward. Yet, I had been given a coveted audience with a big NY editor- I couldn’t blow it – or my dreams would come crashing down on me.
“Why are you here?”
“Um, I would like…” my courage faltered as the words stopped midsentence, caught in my throat. I nervously wiggled my feet under the table.
“Yes?” came a booming voice.
“I want to be published and I’ve heard that you have the power to do so.” I said, with my knees clanking together, rattling like tin.
“Silence.” A distant bored look was followed by a yawn. “I’m looking for a unique story. I must love the voice.”
“Voice? I think that I have a voice and….” I gave my prepared and practiced pitch.
“Send it to me.” With a wave of a hand, I was dismissed as another writer walked over to take my place.
“Oh thank you great and powerful one,” I replied timidly, as I cowered away. Surely my wish would be granted if I just did what was asked of me.
Walking out of the conference room, my head spinning, I muttered over and over to myself, “Synopsis, query and submission, oh my. Synopsis, query and submission, oh my.”
Back home, I wrote, and rewrote, perfecting every detail. All the while, taking care of my hubby and four children and teaching at a local university. The frenzied pace of all that had to be done, made me feel like I was in a twister, as flying monkeys (okay, maybe they were just very big dust bunnies) circled me.
Sleep deprivation caused me to have a wicked temperament. My diet went to hell as I ate all the wrong food, causing a greenish tint in my complexion. But I was determined to get the requested submission to the great and powerful New York editor who had the power to make my publishing dreams come true.
Then I sent my submission out.
I waited.
And waited some more.
Days turned into weeks.
And weeks turned into months.
I attended additional workshops. I went to more conferences where I pitched again and again. Time and time again, I sent out submissions.
Then I waited and waited.
And waited.
And waited some more.
Rejections came in (although many editors and agents never responded at all.)
Quite often, I received requests for fulls. And a couple of times, rewrites were suggested. But ultimately neither representation nor contracts were extended to me. Another year went by. Another manuscript was written. I was beginning to believe that I would never get published. That no one would ever read my stories. That my dream would die under the crush of the slush pile.
In sheer determination, and passion to be a published author, I chugged along. The yellow brick road to traditional publishing began to look grey and pot holed, and seemed to lead to nowhere.
At a recent conference, as I pitched to yet another great and powerful editor, I saw a light streaming from behind a crack in a door just beyond where I sat. Laughter spilled out with the splinter of light. I craned my neck to see a sign hung above which read, “Independent Publishing.”
“What’s over there?” I asked the editor for whom I was pitching.
“Do not pay attention to what is behind that door.” The great and powerful one said.
“Why?”
“Because I am the great and powerful.” The editor motioned toward the door. “There is nothing to see over there.”
Suddenly I felt smart and courageous. My heart told me to go. I got up and walked over to the door and opened it wide.
A beautiful author, who glowed as though in a huge pink bubble, welcomed me.
She said, “Lois you had the power all along to get published.”
“Really?” My heart leapt in song. “I do?”
“Yes, just click your keyboard keys and say, ‘Independent publishing.’”
And that, dear friends, is the long and short of my tale.
Not to say that NY agents and editors still don’t have their role and value, but we need to know that there is another way to make your publishing dreams come true. And somewhere over the rainbow, both traditional publishing and independent publishing can be found.
You have the power to decide.
And that, my friends, is what true power is all about- having choices.
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Well done, Lois!!!
There’s definitely some major power in the Indie Epublishing Ruby Slippers…all you each gotta do is keep on clickin’ those heels and keyboards together and sayin’ “There’s no place like home…as in our Indie Epublishing Home.”
***You can get all the scoop on Lois at her website!***
It’s Your Turn, WG2E-Land: What has happened along each of your writing-for-publication journeys that served as the basis for your own decision to Indie Epublish in 2012?
The Best of The WG2E Ruby Slipper Indie Epublishing Wishes — Lois Lavrisa and D. D. Scott
Excellent post, Lois. The Ozlike approach was very enjoyable, and your exceptional writing skills jump right off the page. Best of luck with your work.
Tom- First off wow, thank you for your kind words, and mostly for the very supportive adjective- exceptional- to describe my writing. Who knew that getting published could be so humbling and almost impossible- at least with the traditional route? Thanks again Tom for your reply:)
Hi, Lois! Welcome to the WG! I’m so glad you are doing well. I remember the first time I met you when I spoke with Misa Ramirez at your Low-Country RWA chapter meeting. I too was only seeking publication through a big six publisher, at that time.
One thing that I really took away from your post is that your career is up to you. This is the path you’ve chosen for now! Who says in six months you might get a deal from a publisher or agent. GUESS WHAT!? You can do that too! Lois, you can have it all! I’m a big believer in that. And I think you will see a lot of Indies that will, in fact, do that in 2012. Try to do it all and will succeed!
Today’s publishing industry is so different from even last months publishing industry. Like we’ve said here over the past few weeks, there are so many big changes coming from the big six and the indie side. We will have to learn to adapt to those too.
Tonya, yes I loved meeting you too! You look like a teenager yourself you are so gorgeous, difficult to believe you have four teens! If I recall you were “strip” searched before you flew to SC for the meeting? I tell you they knew you were loaded with powerful words
And I could not agree with you more, we have choices now. Do we want to go indie or traditional? Can we pursue both? Which is better for our career goals and objectives? And so on. I am all about choices and giving power back to the creator and producer of the content (writers) rather than the other way around. Thank you for the warm and supportive welcome
Hahahaa! Lois, I forgot all about the strip search!!! OMG! I even took pictures and put it on The Naked Hero!! HAHAHAA!! What a great memory. . .must. put. it. into. a. book!
Well said, Super T!!!
The power is all in the fact that we now have a “choice”…and not just one choice, but as many as we’re willing to entertain!!!
Cheers to that!!!
Couldn’t agree more: it’s all about choice. Great post, well written!
Ruth- Good morning and thank you for reading my post. I so appreciate your response as well. All of us have a unique voice, a story to tell, and now we can get our stories out when we are ready through Indie publishing (rather than waiting around indefinitely for traditional publishing) Thanks again Ruth.
Fun post, Lois! Good luck on your journey.
Welcome again to The WG2E, Lois!
I just luuuvvv your terrific spin on one of our fave analogies to use in our Indie Epub World!
Your take on The Good Witch and her pink bubble was a hoot…and wow does the Indie Epub Route really feel like one very sophisticated and altruistic wave of the Good Witch’s magic wand!!!
Welcome aboard the Yellow Brick Road to Indie Epublishing Oz!!!
D.D. without your support I wouldn’t have been given this wonderful opportunity to contribute to WG2E. So first and foremost, a big thank you to you, beautiful Glinda in the pink bubble, showing me another way to publish.
It is supportive people like you, and all those in WG2E land that have helped me feel more powerful and in control of my writing career. Because of this website which provides countless useful and incredible information on indie publishing- I feel in control of my writing destiny. I cannot begin to thank you for WG2E- except to say I am so very appreciative of all that you all do! And of course, thank you for letting me join WG2E.
Good morning Alicia and thank you for commenting. You are right, writing is a journey! And now we can take two different paths to get our stories published. Best wishes to you as well on your journey
Well done, Lois. I agree that we now have a choice of publishing. Like you, I once thought that being trad published was the be all and end all, and I wanted it so much, esp as so many others I know are getting published that way still. But I have decided to try indie publishing next year like you and see how it goes. I wish you all the best.
Welcome to the indie publishing club Julie! Isn’t that true that a lot of us thought the only way to get published was to go through the gates of a legacy publisher. They held the door open, or (very very often) kept it closed. I so happy that you have decided that you want to try indie publishing in 2012. Please let us know how that goes for you (it’ll be great I’m sure). Keep in touch and thank you for your comment Julie.
Great morning read!
I love your analogy. I went through the same thing for the past two years, before ending my contract with my agent in August and going the self-pub route and couldn’t be happier. It’s so empowering and rewarding. Good luck, and I look forward to reading more from you soon
Dina- you go girl! Yahoo for you being brave and deciding that the path you were on wasn’t best for your career, and choosing to go another route. Sometimes it is difficult for us to leave our comfort zone and try something new. But thanks to WG2E – for making it so much easier to navigate indie publishing. But you said that you feel empowered and it is rewarding- and that is wonderful! You mentioned that you began self pub in August- how is your new journey going for you Dina, any tidbits you want to share?
The journey has been great so far. I have met so many new people and made really great connections in this new industry in such a short time. I am literally online every single day trying to do something to either promote the book, connect with readers, or learn something about the business that I didn’t know the day before. All that, in addition to editing my second book. But like I mentioned, when you’re are doing it for yourself, it’s very rewarding…and I’d be doing ALL the work anyway even if I was traditionally published.
Even when I parted ways with my agent, she was very supportive, because she completely knows hard hard it is for a new voice to breakthrough.
Dina- soooo true that even with traditional publishing, unless you are like a huge bestseller like Stephen King- everyone else is on their won for marketing.
I have heard that traditional publishers only have a few hundred dollar budget to market a majority of their authors (again unless you are a big timer like King.)
So why give them a percentage, get a small royalty yourself, and still have to market it all yourself? Instead you can get your whole share (minus Amazon etc fees) of the royalties with Indie pub doing the same work you would have had to with traditional publishing. And it was so nice that your agent was supportive and knew how (extremely) difficult it is for new authors to get known. Thank you so much for sharing and keep in touch, I would love to hear how your second book goes as well
Awww man… I could have met all of you too. I *just* moved from Moncks Corner in September! I considered joining RWA when I first started out, until I realized RWA didn’t support non-traditional publishing and I knew that was the path for me.
We still own the house down there, so I’m sure I’ll be back down in the South Carolina area again.
Elizabeth I would have loved to meet you as well! Heck, who knows, we may all meet soon! Please let me know when you’ll be in SC area. I am Vice president this year of a RWA chapter which has monthly meetings in North Charleston, SC. And Savannah GA where I live is just a two hour drive – so I could pile some writer friends in my mom mini-van and meet up with you:)
I fell into writing in 2007 by writing instructional non-fiction articles for websites. It was a hobby that made money. $4,000 the first year, to be exact. After 3 years of writing a ton of SEO-rich content on mortgages, short sales, financial topics, I got bored. So I decided to write fiction. My first attempt at fiction was rejected from a fan-fiction site not once. Not twice. I was rejected three times before the mods took pity on me and explained I was mixing tenses every other sentence.
I worked for a year as a beta reader, editing other’s works in a partner setting (so I could see the notes from the other beta) and learned many rookie mistakes first-hand. Many published authors participate in popular fan-fiction communities under pseudonyms, and other communities like Jane Austen where the copyright is dead allow authors to hone their works before publishing them. I wrote 10 chapters of my own fan fiction creation, was satisfied from comments that I didn’t suck (and don’t worry, the trolls will let you know if you’re awful) then jumped to original world writing in January 2011. My debut novel has sold over 100 copies since it released in September and all of the feedback has been strong. Perhaps a little too strong. Just yesterday I was taken to task by my husband’s grandmother who demands to know where the sequel is and why it’s not done like yesterday. (I have a strong fan base at a tiny Baptist church in Devine, TX LOL).
Congratulations on your epub success! Wow 100 books and counting… I hear sales for indie pub keep going up as well. I love that you have fans (including your hubby’s grandmother) clamoring for the sequel. Yahoo. Thank you for sharing and I would love to read your eBook as well as your blog (what is book title and blog site?).
Ah, well my reader site just crashed (I broke it, just nuked the server last night to re do it). I have a 13 stop Virtual Book Signing Tour starting Jan. 2
My author site just had a thoroughly funny post about me stalking my sales. http://eawestwriting.blogspot.com/2011/12/playing-blame-game-on-sales.html
My novel is a twist on the traditional romance/chicklit formulas…. it’s from the male POV!
Cancelled: A robotics engineer engaged to his business partner has a previous one-night stand return his shirt. Pregnant. And it’s his.
That was probably the biggest reason I didn’t go traditional, aside from the uphill notice me battles and unfair royalty distribution…it doesn’t fit the guidelines for any of the traditional imprints. Early on I pitched my idea on a forum where editors and agents lurk, and overwhelmingly the kind suggestion was to really think about my POV. And I get that it’s a very big business risk to take a chance on an unknown author flouting very established formulas. So I took the risk on myself.
And I get TICKLED PINK every time I get a tweet from a MALE reader who thanks me for writing a romance from the guy’s POV.
Welcome to the indie publishing club Julie! Isn’t that true that a lot of us thought the only way to get published was to go through the gates of a legacy publisher. They held the door open, or (very very often) kept it closed. I so happy that you have decided that you want to try indie publishing in 2012. Please let us know how that goes for you (it’ll be great I’m sure). Keep in touch and thank you for your comment Julie.
Wonderful post, Lois! I loved the Oz-like story.
Last summer I had registered to go to a conference and had paid for a pitch session. I couldn’t go and had to cancel, but thought I had missed out on a great opportunity. Your post tells me I really didn’t miss much.
All the best to you in 2012!
Too funny Debra- unfortunately you are right and you probably did not miss much by not being able to make you pitch session. It seems that almost everyone gets request for partials, a query and synopsis. It’s kind of the norm, what happens next, after you submit, is usually nothing at all. No response. No letter. Or if there is a response it is a form letter.
Although, I can’t blame them (agents and editors) they get a ton of submissions, and a form letter to them is often the most time efficient way to respond. We cannot control their response, but we can control what we do with our product (book, story, etc) Yeah
Thank you Debra for your comments.
You nailed it right here, Lois:
“We cannot control their [TradiPub] response, but we can control what we do with our product (book, story, etc) …”
Well said!!!
Thanks D.D.!
Wonderfully told, Lois – and isn’t it amazing to discover you’ve had the power all along? It’s so nice to be in control of your own destiny. There’s really nothing better! It’s such an exciting time to be a writer.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey!
Talli, yes to be in control of our own destiny is what true freedom and power is to me. Thank you for reading my post, I so appreciate your sweet comment. It makes my heart smile! Thank you Talli.
Wonderful post, Lois. Put a big ‘ol smile on my face. And yes, this is an oh so familiar story. Best of luck with your book in 2012!
D. Robert – thanks for the well wishes for 2012- right back at you! Let’s all look at what is best for our writing career, what we want to accomplish, and let’s be brave and move forward to meet our goal(s). Be it traditional or indie publishing!
Great post, Lois.
I too got fed up with the pot holes and complete lack of marketing support. Not to mention publishers taking almost all of the profit. I recently joined you all on the indie pub journey (like this morning). And I’m excited for what the future will bring.
Nana
Nana- thank you for joining us (just this morning) on the indie pub journey! We are sooo very glad to have you along. Please let us know how your journey goes (I know it will be super terrific!)
Thanks, Lois. I think a lot of authors are finding out now that trad publishing is not the only way to get published. As you can see from this place, there are a lot of us out there and if we all join together to support each other, it is one great club.
So true Julie- it’s the support that for me, helped make my decision easier. It’s like everyone at WG2E held my hand and helped me out along the way, and who doesn’t need help now and then:)
Fun post, and so true!
Edie- this group here is a fun bunch who likes to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth. And that’s what makes WG2E so awesome
Thank you, Edie, for the comment.
Great post Lois! Welcome to the WG2E.
Hey Matt! How are you doing today? Matt, for all out there, is the wonderful editor that D.D. was kind and generous and gracious to share with us. Thanks DD you are too super wonderful for words for sharing The Edit Dude- Matthew Rush with us. Matt just finished editing my 2012 soon to be epub mystery book “Liquid Lies”- he is a patient and insightful editor that goes above and beyond in every aspect of editing.
Thanks for the shout-out!
Hi again, Lois.
I just had to come back on and say that it was wonderful working with you too. Also, I think “Liquid Lies” is absolutely amazing and I’m predicting it is going to do very well.
Good luck!
Matt- Thanks for the very kind words. My story benefited greatly with your help and guidance
You are the ‘Magnificent Matt!’
Nice. Glad you found your way, Lois.
Ty- thank you! I’m glad and very honored to be here.
Welcome to some of our newest WG2E-Land Peeps, Nana Malone, D. Robert Pease and Dina Silver!!!
We’re all having a great time getting to know you!!!
Cute post! I pitched Playing For Keeps at a conference – a full was requested – fast forward one year I pitched Love By Design to the same editor – same conference – and oh by the way you still have Playing For Keeps – oh yes I remember you – it’s on my desk – fast forward 9 months – oh yes I loved it and forwarding it to senior editor – fast forward one year – it’s very well written but…
So not wanting to wait over 2 years to hear about Love By Design I decided to indie publish both titles. My book are out there – I have readers – In fact I have readers who can’t wait for the sequel to Playing For Keeps! It is a tremendous feeling.
Now that’s one great anecdote, Liz!
Thanks sooo much for sharing it!!!
Liz- what happened to you is echoed by so very many authors as well. Time and time again, through no fault of the author, manuscripts get shoved, pushed, buried, forgotten, remembered (temporarily even) and so on- but very rarely do they get published by tradtional hosues.
And 99.999999% of the time when a writer completes a manuscript – gee whiz- they want to get it published so that they can share their stories with readers! What a concept – huh? But this became an almost impossible dream to fulfill trying to go with traditional publishers- as you found out. Thank you Liz for sharing and I think your book “Love by Design” and “Playing for Keeps” will do super well, and continue to do well! Keep it up:)
Your story could be my story. For a number of years I quit writing. It was simply too frustrating. but I’m back and with a vengeance. Indie pubbing here I come in 2012.
thanks for a boost
YAY Louise!!!
You get it girl!
Louise- repeat after me, “I will not give up. I have a goal (s). I have a story to tell.” Welcome back (vengeance and all!) And watch out indie pub world- Louise Behiel is coming and she’s going to do super duper great! Yeah! Thanks for the comments Louise, and welcome to indie Pub 2012!
Thanks for sharing your story, Lois!
Kirsten thanks for your comment. I was more than happy to share my story because it is like so many writers experiences as well.
OMG that’s a sad happy story…I cannot believe the lengths people have gone through to get published.
Almost a month ago I decided that I wanted to publish non-fiction self help books but didn’t know how. When I started googling how long of would take to get published, I realized that it was going to take way too long for my patience to actually reach people & help them change their lives. That’s when I got the idea to google self publishing (have no idea where the thought came from), it was then, that I knew I would be able to make my dreams a reality. It’s already been a challenging road already with formatting, quality book covers & editing but I believe that it’s all going to be great & because of people like DD Scott, I KNOW it will happen. One step at a time, one mouse click & keyboard click at a time. We got this
Alishia Willardson, Author of:
“Live The Life You Love: You Deserve It and Relationships”
Http://www.live-my-life-free.webs.com
Http://alishiawillardson.blogspot.com
Welcome aboard our Indie Epub Train, Alishia!
And thanks bunches for the superfab sweet comment.
Nothin’ beats writers helping writers reach readers!
We’re all here to help you anyway we can!!!
Alisha you are so right DD is such a great teacher and leader. Best wishes to you!
Lois, thanks for yet again reminding us we have choices. I laughed so hard at the agents saying, ‘nothing to see over there.’ LOL I want to have it all too.
Jill, thanks for commenting. And allowing me to improvise about my experiences at pitch sessions happy new year!
Loved the post, Lois! So good to know I’m not the only one with giant flying dust bunnies!
(Judging by the post, you have VOICE in spades!)
Best wishes for your quest.
Nancy, about the flying dust bunnies, something has to give even though I am by nature a neat freak writing and submitting took a bigger priority. Thank so so much for commenting.
Wow. I’m new to WG2E and what a great first post to read. It was a witty captivating way to depict the very real struggles we as writers face. Very impressed nd good luck with your journey through the land of all powerful editors and agents, with writing like that I’m sure you’ll do well.
Welcome Mel! thank you so much for your very kind words.
Lois,
Your story is an instant classic. I grinned through the entire reading.
Well done!
Barbara
Thank you Barbara, your comment made me smile too:)
Well Said!! That was a great post and very humorous. Sorry I’m a bit late to comment but was on the road all day traveling back home from Chicago.
Good luck on your indie journey!!!
Alison, Chicago is my hometown-I just adore and love the windy city:) Thanks for the kind words and well wishes:)
Loved this post!! Many writers (unless they have experienced some magical twist of fate) can relate to the frustrations of this journey, portrayed so cleverly in the Oz setting. Consider the vast numbers of quality manuscripts out there–entertaining or informative compilations that would never be devoured by appreciative eyes and souls were it not for the indie option. I’m all for the control that indie publishing allows us, so now we have to forge new paths of effective marketing and promotion! Thank you for a 2012 decision-affirming post!
Mary Anne- it was my pleasure to share my story. Thank you for your comments.
Lois and DD…
Many, if not most, of my readers at “CJ’s Easy as Pie Kindle Tutorials can identify with this yellow brick road adventure and it’s particularly appropriate as a build up to a step-by-step “how to prepare your manuscript to be published to the Kindle” series I’m starting with the new year.
I wanted to let you know that I posted an article today, quoting a couple of paragraphs from, and linking to, this article.
Thanks very much!
CJ
CJ- thanks for posting a link to my post on your articel! I plan on reading your article and tutorial as well:) Happy New Year.
Haaaaahaaaaa. I laughed out loud because your post is so whimsical but so true.
P.R Mason – thank you for laughing out loud reading my story…