A change of plans

It is super late, but I have been crazy busy and I have not been able to post as often as I like, so, I am taking the time now before my eyes seal shut and my head hits the pillow. (Please ignore errors caused by exhaustion.)

I have been at a crossroads lately with my last novel. I have been editing like a mad woman, and finally got it to the point where I needed to make a decision.

For those of you who do not write or are not in the know, the publishing industry (thanks to sites like Amazon) have been moving in the direction of sell-publishing over small publishers… and for some, the "big 5" publishers. This puts authors like myself in an interesting situation. In the past, I have not thought twice about doing anything other than be on the hunt for an agent, (the first step to finding publication with the "Big Five").

But now. . . I am not so sure. There are many advantages to self-publishing. You have more control, and you don't have to wait. You also receive a larger percentage of the book sales, (if your book sells).

The down side is, if you are not diligent, the quality of your writing may not be what you really want out there representing your work. Also, you have to pay for your own edits, (and if I am going to publish I want the best editor I can find). You have to pay for the cover art, among several other things. The cost adds up fast. You also have to do all your own marketing, though, some say with publishers you have to do this now anyway.

About a month ago I sat down at my computer and weighed these pros and cons. I did not come up with a decision but I did decide to go ahead and find a professional editor to look over my manuscript.

All was going as planned. I had received the quote from the editor. After I swallowed down THAT number, I began brainstorming ways to pay for it without digging into our saving. I found this beautiful chesterfield type sofa on craigslist…. and I thought, hmmm, I can recover this and make a little profit. No, this won't cover the cost of the edits but it will put a dent in it.

I am going to be doing a full post on this sofa later. 

Then, half way through the reupholstering of the sofa something happened that had me rethinking my goals. (I will let you know if it turns out ;) ).

Isn't this just how life is. I have to be flexible, otherwise I may get whiplash. Especially in this journey to become published, so much of it is hard work, but a lot of it is being in the right place at the right time with the right people. A LoT of it is having thick skin and listening to what others are saying in order to polish your work.  I am still working on my little projects to pay for edits on my book, but now is not the time for me to have it professionally edited.

I am a girl that wants things NOW, but I am learning to wait for when the stars align. In the mean time I will be very busy making my novel the best it can possibly be and working my fingers to the bone tufting and stapling this sofa.

Wish me luck, and happy writing.