These are strange days we're living in. Maybe it's always been this way. On the one hand, we have a wonderful global publishing industry capable of doing fantastic things for an author - but most have failed to figure out exactly how to deal with technology and the future it's bringing with it. The very companies that can't figure it out are the very ones I'd love to sign a deal with - we'll all figure it out eventually I'm sure.
On the other hand, we have the mighty amazon enabling authors to do all of this for themselves with varying degrees of success, which is extremely liberating - but the more I look at what's on offer, the more I don't like what I see. I like bookstores but I like digital reading too. It's a very selfish game for all concerned.
There are many other hands as well but those two are quite sufficient to use to make a point.
With or without a publisher, agent, digital giant or anything else in my corner, I'm simply going to press on. I'm going to publish my own work as professionally as possible, providing a product - hard copy or digital - that matches anything that would come from a big publishing house in whatever formats work and with only myself to answer to. I have over two thousand books in my house - I know what a quality book looks and feels like and I think that counts for a lot.
Perhaps one day a publisher or an agent will come knocking on the door. I look forward to that day but I'm not holding my breath for it. After all, it's not like I'm coming to this from outside of the industry - I've been editing magazines for over 12 years now. Is it such a big deal to want to do them all without waiting for a team of professionals to 'approve' me first? Life is short my friends and there are many things to accomplish before we turn out the lights.
The way I see it is like this: if one of my favourite authors began publishing their own books - I would buy straight from them. I habitually check in at all their sites at least once a week. It's not a super fast way to attain stability as an author but neither is waiting for a publisher to decide you're the most important gun in their arsenal.
So let's see what this journey will bring. If you like what I write, you can sign up for some alerts here as to when a new book is available - I'd like to think we can conduct this reader/author relationship properly, just like you would with anybody else you might let into your life. This is simply about a new way of doing things. I've known this for a long time but the time has come to commit to it.
Just because I'm having fun, doesn't mean I'm not serious about it. I think David Lee Roth said that once but it's mine now.
Statement over.