Today I’m letting you know about an important decision I’ve made. The decision to become an independent author, to self publish my crime novel, Shallow Waters.
It’s not a decision that I’ve taken lightly, or that I’m going into lightly, but it is a decision that I feel is the right one for me.
As you know I tried the traditional route and it didn’t work out. I had some fantastic feedback (and I admit, some not, but reading and books are subjective, and the fact that there was such a variance within the professionals shows that.) but I just wasn’t taken on.
I just couldn’t put the novel down and let go. Self publishing is now a valid option for authors and I’m taking it and putting Shallow Waters out there. I have faith in the story and I have faith in the characters. They’re characters that are strong enough to carry it as a series and the second book is well under way.
It’s currently with an editor and I have commissioned a book cover designer. I don’t have a publication date set but I’m hoping to be ready around Christmas time. I will let you know as soon as I have a date.
I’m not going with Kindle Select where you are tied just to them, it will be available on all ereaders. This isn’t about how high I can get it in the kindle chart or how much money I can make. It’s about wanting to put it out there and doing it without isolating anyone, so no matter how you read, you will be able to get a copy. For me, this is about the love of writing, the love for this novel and the desire to have readers read it.
Now I’ve made the decision I’m really excited. Watch out for regular news and updates as the weeks go by. I’m going to be really busy!
I’m really happy with this decision and I hope you will be happy with me.
Fantastic news! Self-publishing is a wonderful experience, gratifying and enlightening. You’ll learn tons, you’ll have total control, and you’ll know you’re giving your book its very best chance of being read. I’ll happily help you promote when you’re ready! Blog space, tweets, FB shares, you name it. Good luck, and go for it! xx
(ps – have you talked over the White Glove programme with Kate? The agency is accepted on it, and I’m thinking about going that route with one of mine.)
Thanks Terri. I really appreciate the support. It’s quite terrifying how much I realise there is in front of me to learn!
All the best Rebecca
Thank you Jose.
I admire your courage, Rebecca and wish you the best of luck,
Thank you Jose. It was a difficult decision, but now I’ve made it I’m happy with it.
I’m looking forward to sharing your publishing journey with you, especially your cover reveal. It’s hard work but exciting, being an indie author, and I wish you the best of luck with it, Rebecca.
Thank you Janet. It is exciting, but also terrifying. As I expect it is a little for the traditionally published. It’s the steep learning curve I have in front of me that is somewhat intimidating!
Have you looked here Rebecca? This is a kind of hybrid self publishing http://bqbpublishing.com/
Good luck with the book.
Thanks Carol. That site looks interesting, but I’m already on my road now, the book is with it’s editor and the cover designer has been commissioned. We are a go for lift off. 🙂
good luck
Awesome. It is a tough decision to make, but I’m sure you’ll do it brilliantly. I look forward to reading it!
Thank you Annalisa. It really was a difficult decision and one that took so long to make, but now I have made it, I’m so happy and pleased with it and can’t wait to get the book out there. Thank you for your support 🙂
Good luck, I’m sure you’ve made the right decision and you’ll get lots of support on this. How exciting x
Thanks Cath. It took a while to make the decision, but I do now feel it was the right one. And yes, I feel excited 🙂 x
Fantastic news can’t wait to read it.
Thanks Ian x
Congratulations on making such a tough decision. You’ve had good feedback which stands you in good stead, and you’re right to say reading is very subjective.
I look forward to reading it. Good luck!
Thanks Lynne, it really was a tough decision. I was undecided for so long, but once I did make that decision, I was sure it was the right one for me. Thank you for your support 🙂 x
Wishing you the best of luck, Rebecca. I will be out there with you, shortly afterwards so I’ll look to you for tips 😉
Thank you. And I look forward to going on this journey with you!!
Wish you all the very best – I might join you at some point too. Ready and waiting to share, RT etc 🙂 And I read somewhere that Christmas is a great time to put a book out, so many people have new e-readers as Christmas pressies.
Thanks Linda, I appreciate the support. And I’ll be interested in following your news. I’d heard that about Christmas, and it also fits with my decision timeline as well, so fingers crossed it all goes swimmingly 🙂
Congratulations, dear Rebecca. That book really does need to be shared so that many others can enjoy it. Wishing you all the very best:))
Thank you Jane. Your support has been invaluable xx
I will definitely be buying it. Wishing you tons of luck. Enjoy yourself whilst writing xx
Thank you Steph, I really appreciate that x
That’s wonderful! I wish you very much good luck, Rebecca! <3
Thank you Lucy! I appreciate that 🙂
Congratulations Rebecca, that’s a brave decision and I applaud you. I have been tempted myself but what holds me back is the need for validation that my work is worth publishing. I don’t have the confidence to cross that bridge – yet – but I wish you every success with your novel. Those who have self published tell me they haven’t regretted it and they retain full control of their work. No one to drop you either if your sales don’t reach the required level. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks Anita, I know what you mean about the validation and it is what holds a lot of people back. It took me a while to make this decision, but now I’ve made it I’m completely happy with it and am really excited by it. And yes, I have control which is exciting. I’m really excited about the cover particularly. 🙂
Rebecca, all you need is faith in yourself and you’ll make self-publishing work for you. Good luck in your new and exciting venture.
Thank you Prashant. It is certainly an exciting time right now.
Great news! I was wondering how you were going with it all. I am so sorry that the traditional route didn’t work out for you but I am really excited that I will be able to read your work soon! Good luck with it all 🙂
Thank you Jade. I’m excited to be doing this. It feels like the right thing to do 🙂
Good for you! And sounds like you are doing it right.
Thanks for making it available everywhere. I’m an iTunes junkie and prefer to get my books there.
You need any other resources, be sure to check out the self-publishing page at the IWSG.
Thanks Alex. That’s what I thought, I knew that not everyone used Amazon, there are other ereaders out there being used by people and I wanted to reach them rather than isolate them. And yes, I’ll check that page out. Thanks!
Rebecca – Good on you to think this all through and do what’s best for you. You’re going about it in a professional way, and I am very excited for you that your book is going to see the light of day. I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you Margot. It did take me some time to come to the decision, but now I have, I know it’s the right one. And I’m so excited! 🙂
Congratulations and lots of good luck. Traditional publishing is in flux at the moment there’s a brave new world out there. Embrace and enjoy. If self publishing is good enough for David Mamet why not you?
Thank you Vicky. It really is a viable publishing choice now and one I’m more than happy to take. I’ve no preconceptions about it, which I think is the best way to go forward with it.
Good decision, Rebecca. All the best with getting your book out there. I’ve certainly had no regrets about self-publishing my two novels.
Thank you Anne. I’ve heard that from many people who have self published. The control being one of the top reasons for doing it and for enjoying it. And the control of the cover design is what I know I’m going to enjoy! 🙂
Congratulations, Rebecca – I know you didn’t make this decision lightly and I wish you a very good experience indeed with this. I’m certainly interested in reading it!
Thank you Marina. It really did take me a while to make this decision, but now that I have, I’m completely happy and glad that I have. Your support means a lot. Thank you.
Congratulations and so soon! You must be so excited? Wishing you all the very best with publication.
Thanks Cleo. I’m really excited. Lots to do, but yes, excited. And nervous!
good luck. I doubt you’ll ever regret it.
Thank you Daniel. So many self published authors have said to me. It seems to be the common theme that they enjoy the experience.
Well!! This is very exciting!!! Looking forward to hearing more and reading your book very soon! x
Thanks Susi. Exciting and terrifying! 🙂
Congrats, Rebecca! I’ve published many of my non-fic books. Yes, the original learning curve was steep, but now the template is in place. I simply repeat. The hardest part is writing the ebook and marketing–two pieces that are the same whether publishing is traditional or self. Good luck–I look forward to reading about the journey.
Thanks Jacqui. That’s it, once I’ve done it, I’ve done it. But it’s going to be a busy few weeks!
Congratulations, and good luck! Can’t wait to see the cover and the blurb… 🙂
Thank you. Both things I’m looking forward to releasing! 🙂
That is a very important decision and it takes a lot of courage to go the self-publishing route. That you’re happy with your decision is a very good sign. I like when you wrote: “For me, this is about the love of writing, the love for this novel and the desire to have readers read it.”
I wish you all the best, Rebecca, and much success every step of the way.
Thank you Carol. It was a decision that took some time to come to, but now I’m there, I’m really happy and pleased with it and in two parts excited and terrified!
Exciting news, Rebecca! Looking forward to reading your updates and, of course, Shallow Waters 🙂 xx
Thank you Elle. x
Best of luck to you, Rebecca! I wish you every success with Shallow Waters 🙂 X
Thank you Jan x 🙂
Good luck, Rebecca! I look forwRd to following your journey xx
Thank you Claire. xx
Hope it goes really well for you.
Thank you Kirsty!
Congratulations, Rebecca. I’m looking forward to reading it 😀
Thank you Dianne! x
This is really exciting! Good luck with everything and I know I will be looking forward to reading the book.
Well done on making your decision Rebecca, and I wish you all the luck there is.
Rebecca, I think it’s a great decision and I look forward to reading Shallow Waters!
Good for you Rebecca and good luck. I’ll look forward to reading it when it’s out 😀
Excellent! Well done Rebecca. Looking forward to reading it 🙂
Thanks Luca. I appreciate it.
Very best of luck. I have a feeling I may also have to take the same route as you. I’m sure you’ve done the right thing.