Happy Monday from the Paper Doll! I hope everyone's March is off to a good start--only eleven more days til spring :) Which means there will soon be a lot more distractions to compete with writing time. But what else is new?So let's see...it's been almost a month now since I published a novella length eBook with Amazon's Digitial Platform Text. And you know what? Its actually been a pretty rewarding experience, one worth sharing a bit about on the blog.
First off, let me say that I am not an advocate of most forms of self-publishing. I realize this is a sticky issue and also a very personal one for those who choose to go that route with their work. But I've always felt it was a risky venture, in which the author invests heavily with little promise of breaking even, much less making a profit from their work.
Publishing with Amazon kindle is free, however and includes fair royalty options. It allows you to set your own price for the book and to view your sales at any time. And if you don't have the software or the inclination to design a cover for your digital book, the site provides free images to choose from.
Will you make a million? Probably not. Will you make an income even? Unlikely.
Most important, should it replace your efforts to establish a relationship with a publishing house or literary agent? In my opinion: NO.
But it does offer struggling writers a chance to get their work in front of potential readers. It also makes it easy for writers and readers to interact via online forums and the Author Central Page. And it teaches new writers how to handle PR for their books.
All very positive and doable. And who knows? If your writing is polished, professional, and enjoyable, you might establish a loyal fanbase. One willing to follow your work no matter where its publishing home lies.
