Thursday, July 14, 2011

Slamming towards Smashwords

I'm inches away from getting my first crime novel up on Smashwords. I'm in edit/cover design phase and then it's hey presto! A book! Or, more precisely, a self-published ebook. My very first, and I'm not sure why it hadn't occurred to me earlier (I've got four manuscripts currently gathering dust in my hard drive).

Actually, that's not strictly true. I know exactly why I've never self-published before, and it has a lot to do with the nonsense surrounding the 'real' publishing world. It seems like a no-brainer now, of course, but five years ago it was a shameful idea to self-publish. Something only the truly desperate did. Patronising, I know, but there was this impression back then that if you even attempted to self-publish, you were a sad twat who would NEVER get a 'real' publishing deal. Ever again. Of course that's what the 'real' publishing world wanted you to believe. But guess what? I never did get a publishing deal anyway. So what was holding me back?

Well, my 'Ludditism' didn't help of course, and my aversion to all things techno (and my knack for making up really lame words). Cost, that was a factor, too- you used to have to re-mortgage the house to even contemplate printing your own books. And then there was my own bullshit. I really needed the affirmation that came with a BIG publishing house telling me my work was so bloody fabulous they just had to get it into stores worldwide. Pronto! It was just affirmation, something I need less of as I age.

Today, thanks to the likes of Smashwords and co, I can put my own stuff out there, for nix! It's now so cheap and easy, my seven-year-old could do it. With his pocket money. Most importantly (for my pathetic ego at least) it's also more acceptable now. Everywhere I look people are self-publishing ebooks. It's the reason the 'real' publishing world is in freak-out mode (and the reason my agent has struggled to get them to even look at me, or so she kindly reassures me). I love that! I love that the little people can fast track the process and put their own stuff out. Sure, it might get lost in the quagmire, but at least it's OUT THERE. Not hiding away in my hard drive waiting for some publishing stranger to give the nod.

This month I'm giving myself the nod. Then, if you (dear readers) like it, you can give me the nod, too. If you don't, well, what have I lost? Exactly bloody nothing.

Viva la people power! (Or something like that.) I'll let you know how I go...