Kelly Martin Books

Becoming a "Real" Boy-- The Self-Publishing Stigma

12/30/2016

There is an article spreading through the indie publishing world today like a wild fire. I debated on leaving the link here because I don't want to give it any more press, but ultimately I'll leave it up to you and your discretion if you want to read it.SELF-PUBLISHING: AN INSULT TO THE WRITTEN WORD from HuffingtonPost.com.

As an indie author (and someone who has books through small presses) I felt like I needed to say something about this. I never say anything about anything, so here's a treat for you ;)

About two years ago, a friend asked me about my publishing career. She said she was super proud of me for writing and publishing so many books and maybe, someday, I'd be a real author. My first thought was Pinocchio. "You mean I'll be a REAL BOY!" (yes, she's still my friend. Just because I roll my eyes really hard doesn't mean we can't move on.)

A REAL author!

Golly gee!

A real author sounds amazing! Something I've wanted to be forever. I imagine a real author has to:

*write all the words (wait, I do that)

*have professional editor for all the words (ummm... wait.)

*have a professional cover designer for all the words (I mean, mine had a book with the cover she designed hit #1 on NYT. Does that count???)

*do marketing (I know I do that)

*have books in paperback (are those the things I'm selling at the store?)

Sooooooooooooooo... what exactly am I missing?

An agent? Well, okay. I'd admit that I do want one of those-- someday.

Do I want wide distribution? Heck yeah. I'd love to go into BAM, see my book, point to it, and tell an employ, "Yeah, that's right... that's me." ;)

However,

Writing isn't like brain surgery. No one will die if you don't use the perfect verb.

Writing is creative and it is emotional, all things you can do if you are indie or trade published.

Writing SHOULD be something you grow at-- but that goes for people who have debuted their first indie book to people who have hit New York Times 17 times and have trade deals. We learn. We grow. We move on.

Do I look down at traditionally published authors?

Heck no! I think they are super cool and awesome! I love their books, follow them on twitter, and basically fangirl the heck out.

Do I look down at indie published authors?

Heck no! I think they are super cool and awesome! I love their books, follow them on twitter, and basically fangirl the heck out.

Just like everything else, there are bad indie books, and there are good indie books. There are good traditional books, and there are some that make you wonder how they got published.

But that's the beauty of books!

That's the beauty of getting to choose what you want to read!

Side note: Some authors are hybrid, meaning they self-publish and publish through a publisher. Does that mean they are only half-'real' authors? Hmmmmmmmmmmm..... #pointstoponder.

The take away is this...

If you don't want to read a book because it is indie, that is your right. However, saying all indie books are bad, worthless, and horrible isn't okay. It is, in fact, a lie.

There is a book called THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING that is WONDERFUL! I highly recommend it even if you aren't a writer. If you are on the fence about "real" vs. "indie" books, this is a great read. Some traditional authors actually CHOOSE to go indie because they can make more money. #IKNOW! Imagine... someone choosing to self-publish and NOT because they aren't real authors or can't get a book out any other way... #crazyworld ;)

My dream publishing route would be hybrid... just saying.

Cause it's the.. wait for it... Best of both worlds!

I'll let myself out.

Indie authors, here is a BIG HUG.

Traditional authors, here is a BIG HUG.

Writers on your first book, here is a BIG HUG.

Writing isn't easy.

Publishing isn't easy.

Indie or trade...

Your fingers hurt, your back hurts, you cry, you doubt, you smile, you create.

YOU are an author.

Now... go write all the words.

MUCH LOVE AND HAPPY READING,

Kelly

9 Comments

Don't Wish. Do. #oneword

12/28/2016

1 Comment

Happy end of 2016!

Some people are elated about that! If you've been on facebook lately, a lot of people are DONE with 2016.

They see 2016 as a horrible monster who has destroyed their childhood idols and people they love.

Personally, I had a really good 2016-- for the most part. There were issues, of course, but over all, I had a wonderful year.

Part of the reason that I loved the year was thanks to my "One Word" of 2016. If you don't know what one word is, keep reading ;)

ONE WORD is something I've done since 2012 I think. It is where you pick ONE WORD to focus on for the year. It is like a resolution only easier.

Some of my previous one words have been: love, focus, compassion...

THIS YEAR, my One Word was "Don't WISH. Do." (yes, I realize that's 3 words ;) )

Wanna skip the reading? Watch this video where I talk about some of the same keypoints.

From youtube

I'm the world's worst to go,

"I wish I had ____."

"Wow, I wish I could do _______"

"I wish _______ would happen to me."

Ahhhh!!

Do you see the issue with that?

I have ZERO control over it.

It is like me saying I hope the stars line up and make my dreams come true.

...

No!

You can't do that... Well you can. You can sit and wait for something to happen or you can take strides to MAKE it happen. (and by 'you', I mean me too lol)

That hit me about 3 am one night last year. I want things to happen. I want to do things, make lists, and no one can make that happen for me... EXCEPT ME.

That's where "Don't Wish. Do." comes from.

That is what I focused on all year.

I also had 2 MAIN goals:

1) Be nominated for a Utopia Award

2) Make a certain income for the year.

UPDATE:

1) I was nominated for TWO awards!

2) I made MORE than my income goal for the year.

So... I have to say "Don't Wish. Do" was a great One Word for me.

What will my One Word be for next year?

Honestly, I have no idea.

I still want to focus on "Don't Wish. Do." BUT I want to add more to it.

I want to have a BIGGER 2017 than I had 2016.

Hmmmmmmmmm....

Things to ponder.

What about you? Do you have a One word for 2017?

How about your 2016 "One Word"?

Wait for it... A Newsletter Announcement (I know...)

12/14/2016

0 Comments

That time you aren't really sure what to do...

So... a few months ago, I made a rather long post (and a rather long youtube video... and a few rather long emails) about how I wanted to give up sending newsletters.

I said that they seemed impersonal, that they went to your spam, that I missed interacting with you.

And I asked for you to join Nerds United on Facebook (my street team... only cooler) which you did. Lots and lots of people joined and we are having a great time :)

But...

I feel as if I might have made a mistake.

I MISS making newsletters.

I MISS when y'all email me after a newsletter.

I MISS getting to share books from other authors.

I MISS fangirling via email.

I MISS...

NEWSLETTERS!

SO, where does that leave me?

I've made a new newsletter.

You can sign up HERE.

I wanna share things from other authors.
Share fun things.
Share...
I don't know.
Share.

SO yeah, now I have to make ANOTHER youtube video retracting my stance on newsletters.

Yes, I feel a bit silly.
But you know, the heart wants what the heart wants ;)

And right now, the heart wants...

EMAILS

Remember, CLICK HERE to get newsletters.

CLICK HERE to join Nerds Unite (my street team, only cooler)

I'm off to write. I have a new series coming on in January, and I have MASSIVE goals for 2017. Like... massive.

Next week, I'm going to reveal my 'one word' for 2017. If I've though of it yet ;)

Love y'all!

Thank you for sticking around <3

--KELLY

0 Comments

All the Words! My NaNoWriMo 2016 wrap-up.

12/5/2016

1 Comment

So yeah, it is a little late, but this is my 2016 NaNoWriMo recap post.

(I feel like there needs to be a theme song here.)

Another November is over. That means the last 30 days of bliss is done.

WHAT????

"You mean that 50,000 words in one month is your happy month?"

YES!!!

Oh my land!

November is seriously like my Christmas only in month long form. Thirty days of people all over the world writing, posting their word counts, being in this crazy writing world holding hands and pounding out words together.

Okay... I mean, I guess we can't exactly hold hands and write because #issues but still. NaNoWriMo is an incredible time one of the most wonderful experiences ever.

MY NANO WRAP-UP:

TOTAL WORD COUNT:

50,134

(on one book... 7,000 more on a short story by 11/30)

DAY I "WON" Nano:

Day 12

WILL I DO IT AGAIN?

Heck yeah!

Now... on day 6 or 7, I was ready to quit. lol I made this video to pep me up (and you up if you needed it)

But I'll say that part of the thrill is the month is PUSHING yourself into getting to that 50,000 word mark. Because it is not easy. At all.

But when it is over, and you've won.

What about you? Did you do Nano? Did you 'win'? What was your final word count? Tell me all about it. I wanna to chat with you!

ALSO, now that you are finished, what are you going to do with your story?

Re-write it?

Query it?

Self-publish it?