On 1 January 2004, I received my very first writing contract. It was for Aislyn, a paranormal romance that is currently available from New Concepts Publishing. I remember the excitement, the pounding heart and trembling fingers, the shriek that rippled from my mouth and caused both my husband and Scotty to come running. Finally, I managed to babble coherently enough for hubby to understand I’d sold a book. I love writing, and each successive sale still holds the same excitement and thrill for me.
It took me six years to sell my first book. Most of my friends were targeting Harlequin, and I did too. At the time e-publishing was fairly new and unknown to most people. In hindsight, I wish I’d tried e-publishing a lot sooner, because I love the artistic freedom and the way everything happens so quickly in the e-world. The last year before I received my first contract was full of rejections. I had some requests for full manuscripts and did well in competitions, but ultimately received a rejection.
2004 started my journey as a published writer. Since then, I’ve received some great reviews, some not so great and enjoyed every moment. I’ve learned about promo and the fact a writer is only as good as their last book.
All along, at the back of my mind, I’ve wanted to sell to a New York publisher. Like many others I’d like to walk into a book store and see my book on the shelf, and the wider distribution wouldn’t hurt at all. During 2009, I worked hard with this goal in mind. Unfortunately, the rejections have poured in, and I have to admit I’m discouraged. My joy of writing left me during 2009 and for a lot of the time, it was just a hard slog. During the last week, I’ve come to a decision. I’m giving up submitting manuscripts to agents and New York publishers for the next year at least. I want to rediscover the pure joy of writing and creating characters without worrying about them being outside-the-box. I want to sit down and translate my ideas into writing, whatever genre they might be, without worrying if they’re marketable for New York publishers.
I don’t think either way of publishing is right or wrong. They’re different, that’s all. I’m giving my muse permission to fly free, and I’ll see what happens. I think as more and more people purchase e-readers, those who are e-published will find an audience, and I know from experience that a New York contract doesn’t necessarily equal big bucks. There are many authors who don’t earn out their advances. My Medallion titles certainly didn’t. Despite the problems with piracy, I’m probably still earning more than many authors who are traditionally published.
I’m actually happy with my decision. I’m bursting with ideas, plus I have three series underway with Ellora’s Cave and another starting with Samhain Publishing. I certainly have plenty to work on in the upcoming months. Each writer’s journey is different, and though I’m stepping outside the accepted normal path, I really am excited about what the upcoming year will bring.
Do you have writing goals for 2010? For my reader visitors – in the upcoming year, do you think you will buy more e-books or will you continue to purchase from a traditional bookshop? Do you purchase most of your books online or get them at your favorite bookstore?
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January 4th, 2010 at 6:30 am · Link
Ref: During the last week, I’ve come to a decision. I’m giving up submitting manuscripts to agents and New York publishers for the next year at least. I want to rediscover the pure joy of writing and creating characters without worrying about them being outside-the-box.
I think that’s one of the most intelligent things I’ve heard anyone say. Your logic is spot on.
You’re still building a following and a backlist. And you’re still doing what you love.
Brilliant.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:36 am · Link
As a reader I still prefer the print book over an e-book. And as a matter of fact I’ve purchased more books online this past year than I ever had.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:55 am · Link
I think your decision is a smart one. Without the joy in writing, what’s the point?
As for print versus e-book. I was once print all the way. Now? With my e-reader I say save the trees.
Those epirates, on the other hand, we’ll you know how I feel about them.
All my best for you, Shell, in 2010. My goal is to write more and to stop being a lazy bum!
January 4th, 2010 at 6:56 am · Link
Ugh.
We’ll = Well
I need coffee!
January 4th, 2010 at 8:35 am · Link
Shelley, you’re so right. Focusing on your strengths is more important than trying to fit in a mold. You’ve had an amazing career thus far, and you’re an inspiration to so many. I understand that whole writing being a hard slog thing. Some days it flows and you feel like you could do it forever. Other days you’d rather pull out your eyeballs than have to write another word. I hope 2010 is a wonderful year for you, both professionally and otherwise. :)
And I’m with Jaime…not being a lazy bum would be a fine goal for me too! LOL
January 4th, 2010 at 10:18 am · Link
Good for you! I think those are great goals, and freeing up your muse, you’ll never know if you write “the” book. You know what I mean? That is how I do it. I plan for the epubs, but maybe…just maybe, one day I will sit back and write a book that is going to rock the socks off NY. Then, and only then, will I know to submit it to the print world.
P.S. As a reader too, I’m an ebook reader lover. Love that thing!
January 4th, 2010 at 10:29 am · Link
Wise decisions. Write for the love of it. The books will find their own, proper home.
You know I’m here, cheering you on, my friend.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:07 pm · Link
Maria – thank you! I have to say that I feel a lot more settled in my mind, and I think this is the right decision for me at this point in time.
Linda – If I lived in the US, I think I’d buy more print books than I do. You guys have such a great selection at very good prices. Books are much more expensive in NZ.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:12 pm · Link
Jaime – exactly. Life is way too short to spend time doing things that are no fun.
Cari – no way are you and Jaime lazy bums. I just don’t believe it!
Debra – my muse is very happy at the moment. I just wish my fingers could type a little faster.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:12 pm · Link
Susan – I love you. You know that, right?
January 4th, 2010 at 5:15 pm · Link
I think your decision is a wise one. We can get so caught up in the “must obtain an agent and get that NY contract” cycle that it takes all of the fun out of the writing. And then it becomes an absolute chore. I know writing is hard work and I can deal with that but we want to love what we do, right?
You must do what’s best for you so I think you have the right idea. Write and enjoy yourself. You have a fantastic career – be proud of your accomplishments!
And yes I have goals…I need to blog about them…
January 4th, 2010 at 5:31 pm · Link
Hey Shelley — funny you should ask about 2010 — I’d like to focus on longer pieces and try for NY! I’ve put it off because of the rejections that are bound to come. But I feel I have to try, as you did. The problem is, though I used to write long, now it seems daunting to me after focusing on stories in the 10-40K range for a year or so. We’ll see how it goes… I agree with everyone else — you’ve done some amazing things! I know we’ll see even more amazing things from you in the future
.
January 4th, 2010 at 7:44 pm · Link
Keep up the great writing Shelley-I’am just a reader I love my Print books, but I don’t have a e-reader yet but the e-books I have on PDF are great and you get to discover new authors.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:14 pm · Link
I really think that ebooks are a great invention and for those that like to get them, it’s great. But I’ve actually only bought a handful of ebooks. There are a number of reasons for that. 1) I can’t for the life of me figure out how to download the ebook from my computer to my mp4 player. So I usually just read it on the computer.
2) I don’t have an ereader so it would either stay on my computer or I try and download it to my mp4 which has a reallllly small display. 3) I like to have the actual paper book in my hands and on my shelf to trade for other books or let my friends and family read.
So to answer your question, I’ll probably still buy the actual paper back books more than ebooks. I buy alot from amazon.com and there are so many books stores here in Vegas that it’s neat to see what I can find in them.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:36 pm · Link
Hi Shelley, I admire your decision. I’m not a writer, only a fairly new romance reader. Although I’m over 50, I just never had the time in years past.
After buying/reading several different romance novels, some of which I loved and others I did not, I decided to check into some romance forums to see what books other romance readers liked (mostly so I could save myself the time/money buying/reading books that I might not care for).
As a result, I discovered many new authors I’d never heard of before. Some of the genres/publishers were new to me, such as the Western Promise Series by Sarah McCarty and Robin Schone’s Erotic Historical Novels and Lora Leigh’s PN Breed Series….along with the fact they were Ebooks…..I had no clue what that was and was only ticked off because I had to wait so long for their next print book to become available.
To this day, I will always believe that these authors (along with many others) became popular due to the forum recommendations and word-of-mouth. We all know that these were not the typical stories the (mainstream) publishers were looking for….but I’m sure glad they stuck to their guns and wrote the stories they wanted to write the way they wanted them written.
I guess what I’m trying to say is write what you feel and don’t give up. With the internet access we have today, your books will be discovered by those who love them and word will spread…even if it takes a little longer than a “published print book”. I truly believe that ebooks are the way of the future!!!
I still do not own an ereader (but would love to) and buy my books in print….However, my (smart) son just showed me how to receive an ebook on my laptop in a pdf file and I’m going to give that a try….though it will probably kill my eyes and my back.
Wishing you the best and happy writing,
Mitzi H.
January 5th, 2010 at 12:11 am · Link
Karen – Yes, I’m not afraid of hard work, but it’s time to take a breather and take time to enjoy the process again. Those who do have NY contracts have so many deadlines etc. The pressure on them is enormous, especially in the current economic climate. I’m lucky that I can take a step back and please myself.
January 5th, 2010 at 12:15 am · Link
Helen – I think you’ll be fine once you get started. I’ll certainly be cheering you on. Good luck with your goals.
Audra – thanks for stopping by. Without readers we wouldn’t have anyone to write our stories for. You are very important!! There are some really good e-authors out there, although I know it’s more difficult exploring the e-world if you don’t have a reader. Which genres do you prefer?
January 5th, 2010 at 12:18 am · Link
Mary – I don’t think I’ll ever stop reading print books either, even though I am purchasing more ebooks these days. Most of my research books are print since I find it easier to flick through pages when I’m doing research. I think you need special software to download to an mp3 player. Stanza, maybe?
January 5th, 2010 at 12:23 am · Link
Hi Mitzi – thanks so much for your encouragment. I really appreciate it. The writers you’ve mentioned are all ones I enjoy and discovered online. The new technology isn’t so bad once you get used to it – with a pdf file you can make the print bigger so make sure you get your son to show you how to do that if you can’t work it out. I still read ebooks on my laptop at times. I’d love a proper ereader one day.