To E-Publish or Not to E-Publish

A recent post by J.A. Konrath at http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/12/bedtime-story.html discussed his success at selling e-books, and self publishing. Why I don't disagree with the opportunities surrounding e-publishing, I can and will answer his question 'Why should authors live from advance to advance, hoping to get another contract? Why put up with heartache, depression, and abuse, when authors can, for the very first time, take control of their own career?' and self-e-publish?

Well, here's the long and short of it. E-publishing like self published and vanity press authors are not treated with the same respect that traditionally published authors are afforded. J.A. Konrath knows this. That's why he spent 12 years working toward publication. Granted, once you have that publication credit, e-publishing seems like a great idea. Why not e-publish your backlist? Why not make a few bucks by polishing old manuscripts that were deemed unpublishable by traditional presses? It's a win-win for authors and readers.

The problem is, if you don't have a following generated by a traditional publication credit, your odds of selling more than 15 e-books a month aren't great. Sure there are outliers, and exceptions, and I'm thrilled that there are, but overall, a debut writer won't sell that many e-books. And definitely won't be making 20,000 a month. Worse, when faced with traditionally published writers, the stigma of e-publishing and self-publishing is hard to overcome. Which is ridiculous in so many ways, but very real. It's not right, and it's not pretty, nor fair. But it is our reality.

Thank You, Mr. President

This really isn't a post thanking the president, but rather a thank you to all the amazing people in my life who've made this year one I will never forget. And to all the people who make everyday differences in other people's lives.

Jim Bianco Recorded 12/12/10

Video starts at 28 minutes.


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Jim Bianco Live at 4pm (MST)

Jim Bianco will be playing a live concert from his apartment in Hollywood at 4pm (MST) today. I'm so excited! Happy Christmas to me!

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Year in Review ~ WTF?

Yesterday I read a friend and wonderful fellow writer's blog, Ian T Healy, about his past year in terms of writing projects. He completed 4 and started 4 more. Ian deserves success, because he's a great writer.

Yep, it's official. I suck. I was excited about completing one project this year, and starting one more. In comparison, it looks pretty bad. And that's what I want to talk about, comparisons. Writing is isolating, and often painful to one's self-worth and ego. We see our fellow writers achieve success and sometimes wonder why not me?

An unfair question. Each writer's path is different. Embrace that difference. It will make you a better writer and person.

Stolen Kidneys, Dead Hookers & Other Nursery Crimes

Happy release day to me!

It's offical, you can buy my e-short story collection, Stolen Kidneys, Dead Hookers & Other Nursery Crimes at amazon.com, barnes & noble.com and smashwords.com.

Edit, Edit, Edit

Possible Cover. What do you think?

That's what I'm up to today. I plan to release my 2nd Short Story E-Collection, Stolen Kidneys, Dead Hookers & Other Nursery Crimes on December 13th, so in the meantime, I am furiously editing, laying out, and reeditting the collection so people won't buy it, open the first page, and scream!

What is it about editing that makes me happy? I mean, writing I understand. That's creative and gives me a satisfaction and accomplishment. But what does editing provide, because I really do like it. And I'm not usually one for order.

Ideas?

A Cold Wind Blows In

Not really. It's actually a beautiful day in Colorado. Maybe 55 degrees and sunny. Not quite right for December 3, but I'll take it. Then again, I'm finding it hard to get into the Holiday spirit. So reader/writer friends, what gifts are you giving this Holiday? Any books? Anyone buying an e-reader (CUZ THEY ROCK!)? What would you like to see under your tree, bush, pile of sticks?

Author Who?

Sorry about not blogging for a while. I know my one follower (thanks mom (kidding cuz we all know my mom couldn't turn on a computer, much less find my blog)missed me.

Today I want to discuss author interference, and suggest a penalty for such as in football. Recently while reading Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane (Yes, I'm a slower reader when I'm writing) I noticed Dennis popping into the book to give commentary about his thoughts and feelings on subjects. Of course it was said as if they were Patrick's (the character's thoughts) but I just knew it was Dennis. The things said were too pronounced and intrusive to be part of the story.

The example I'll give is a reference to 9/11 and people leaping off the twin towers, and the latest trend toward 9/11 bumper stickers. Not that I don't feel the same, nor appreciate Dennis' desire to connect with me as a reader, but there is a time and place. In a story is neither.

A writer should do his damnest not to intrude on a story, and an editor should make sure it doesn't accidentally happen. And that means, for the readers out there, don't believe that what you are reading is a reflection of the writer. Because it often isn't.

I write stories about junkies, yet I'm not an addict, nor have I ever been one. I write in the first person male prospective, and again, not one and have never had a penis...well, you get my drift. Stay true to the story and characters, and they will stay true to you.