Nervous about Self-Publishing?

I was too.

Because here’s what I knew about self-publishing before this year.

See the blank space?^^^^ Yeah, that’s pretty much it.

But so many writer friends, whether they had agents or not, were making the decision to do it. And here’s the amazing thing about writers–they are generous! And encouraging! And they will help you, even when you are a toe-dragging, self-doubting, indecisive mess.

They shared articles with me, like this one about why even big names are choosing self-publishing. And this one about what different authors are making from self-published books. And this one about how much money you might have to invest at the start.

Then I read Hugh Howey’s interview in the May/June 2013 Writer’s Digest. Click here for a similar blog post by him if you can’t get the magazine.

And I was convinced.

But I was still clueless.

So I began researching it, and thanks to the generosity of other writers and websites like The Creative Penn and The Book Designer, I am finding my way.

You can too.

And for me, once that decision was made, everything changed for the better–because I knew I was writing for readers, not literary gatekeepers. My writing got better too. (And much, much sexier.) Sitting down at the keyboard was a joy, not a chore.

Now, will it take a lot of work and investment beyond actual writing time and lattes at Starbucks?

YES.

Does the thought of it overwhelm me so much that at times I want my Bombay Sapphire delivered intravenously?

YES.

But do I have complete creative and financial control?

YES.

Do I love writing more now that I feel that freedom?

YES. A thousand times, YES.

Still not convinced? Take a look at this Forbes article, posted last week (4/30/13), entitled When the Self-Published Authors Take Over, What Will Publishers Do?

It’s a really incredible time to be a writer and a reader–we’ve never been more empowered to make our own choices.