Patty
here, and as I shared with you in an earlier blog post, the closure of
Lifeway’s brick and mortars was a wake-up call for me last year. Add that with
the shrinking book space at Barnes and Noble, and I began to wonder where I, a
mid-list writer, would fall in this ever-changing publishing scene. With the
hundreds of books that are published each year, how could I compete for a
cherished spot on the shelf? I have a healthy backlist of novels and novellas,
but they’re getting very little traction in the market.
In
other words, for all the time and effort I’ve put into my writing, I’m seeing
very little fruit for my labors, and isn’t that why we write? So that readers
can see Christ in the pages of our books? To show our characters living out
their faith despite their problems? If my ministry is to put out books that
point toward Jesus, what do I do if there’s no room on the bookshelf for me?
That’s
when I thought about going indie. Indie publishing has lost the stigma it’s
held in the past. For the most part, indie writers have learned from past
mistakes. They’re hiring editors and professional cover designers to work with
them. They’re advertising alongside traditional publishers and pulling in
devoted readers, in some cases, making more money than traditional houses.
But
indie publishing isn’t for everyone. I took a long hard look at myself to see
if this could work for me. I’m a very independent person who doesn’t need a
deadline hanging over me to get my work done. I work better alone. I have the
financial means to hire editors/cover designers to make my books stand-out and
to advertise. I have a good start on a backlist of books and novellas.
The
only parts I didn’t have a grasp on was the business and tech side of going
indie. Enter my husband and daughter. After years of being in charge of
operations for a large international company, Danny is working from home and
ready for a new adventure that will use his business skills. He loves the idea
of working with me (I’m going to be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about it
yet, but I’ll keep you posted!) And our daughter Carly records and produces her
own albums as well as YouTube videos and podcasts.
As
all the pieces fell into place, I felt as if the Lord was giving me His okay. I
had a peace about it as well as an excitement that I hadn’t felt in a very long
time.
But
I had a lot to learn. Six months ago, I began my in-depth study of indie
publishing. I took classes with Hallee Bridgeman (Hi Hallee!), listened to
podcasts on the indie market and read books on the subject. I joined
20Booksto50K, a Facebook group made up of indie authors who share their
experiences in the indie publishing world. Most recently, I joined a mastermind
group of indie authors.
I’m
ready to get started.
For
the next year, I’m going to share with you my adventures in indie publishing,
the good and the not-so-good. I will be transparent about my wins and misses as
I navigate new and uncharted territory for me. I do ask you to do one thing for
me—Keep me in your prayers as I embark on the next step in my writing journey.
Have you ever considered indie publishing? What held you back or pushed you forward in your decision?
As all the pieces fell into place, I felt as if the Lord was giving me His okay. I had a peace about it as well as an excitement that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. via @pattywrites #SeriouslyWrite #indiepub
~~~~~~
Patty Smith Hall lives in North Georgia with her husband of 36+ years, Danny. Her passion is
to write tender romances based in little-known historical moments. The winner of the 2008 ACFW Genesis award in historical romance, she is published with Love Inspired Historical, Barbour and Winged Publishing, and is a contributor to the Seriously Writing blog as well as Journey magazine. Patty is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.
Crinoline Creek, Texas, 1868
A Cowboy of Her Own by Patty Smith Hall
A Cowboy of Her Own by Patty Smith Hall
Bookish southern belle Madalyn Turner knows what she wants—to be a cowboy and own a Texas ranch. But books are far different from real life and soon she realizes she needs help.
