I went indie (for the most part, there are still two small publishers I’ll work with) at the end of 2013. I don’t hate all publishers. Let’s get that notion out of the way right now. I think publishers are great- for some people. Just not for me at this point in my career.
I think sometimes readers wonder what the difference between indie and hybrid and small press and traditional publishing, I’m not going to bore you by defining each. Here’s the major difference: as you go from left to right in the list above, you have less and less control. Is that universally a good thing? No. Nothing in publishing is absolute. There is no wrong way, as long as the author is happy. At least, that’s my opinion.
I like control. My husband will tell you I like it a little too much, and no, not in the way you’re thinking. 😛 So indie is a good choice for me. I can change the cover, the price, the product description, and even the title (and have done that once already- a pain, but worth it). I can write what I want, when I want. Well, with the exception of group projects. Those are themed and have deadlines. But that’s okay, since I chose to take part in them!
What does this mean to the reader? Not much, actually, except that the quality of indie published books is going up. I think prices will eventually go up too. Probably not to the days when a single ebook was 7.99 and up, but the glut of .99 books will diminish. Overall, it’s a brave new world, and that can only be a good thing for readers!
As a reader, do you notice or care who the publisher is? What do you think of the indie movement? Tell me in the comments!
BIO:
Cassandra Carr is a romance writer whose work has been praised by many prominent publishing industry media outlets such as Publisher’s Weeklyand Romantic Times. Her books have won several “Best Of” awards. Her novella Unexpected Top was nominated in the E-book Erotic Romance category of RT’s 2013 Reviewers’ Choice Awards. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online.
She thinks the best part of being a writer is how she writes about love and sex while most others struggle with daily commutes, micro-managing bosses and cranky co-workers. Her inspiration comes from everywhere, but she’d particularly like to thank the Buffalo Sabres, the hockey team near and dear to her heart.
To learn more about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com; like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr, or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.
Blurb for Awakening:
Vanessa Clark is doing a research paper for one of her last classes – Psychology of Sex – before receiving her Bachelors’ degree. Once she discovers the topic of BDSM, everything else pales in comparison. But where will she learn about it? The Internet has its limits, and Vanessa needs to talk to real-life practitioners of BDSM to really understand the lifestyle and write about it.
Will Astin, who serves as a dungeon master at a local BDSM club, doesn’t expect to find a gorgeous, irresistible young woman when he agrees to a meet and greet with a college student as a favor to the club’s owner. Even better, she’s interested in learning about BDSM for what he suspects are more than scholarly reasons, and Will decides he’s just the man to teach her about it, hopefully claiming her for his own.
Will and Vanessa begin a journey which teaches both of them there’s more to BDSM than meets the eye. In the process, they grow closer, but when Will’s job puts him in the line of fire – literally – their roles are reversed and Vanessa has to take charge. Can they handle the rapid shift in their burgeoning dynamic, or is their relationship doomed?
Buy links for Awakening:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J1P05MI
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/awakening-cassandra-carr/1118922389?ean=2940149249671
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-awakening-1453017-147.html
I see more and more established authors going this route. Once they have the understanding of the publishing business, they want to have the control. I like being self-pubbed on some of my books. I wish you all the best!
I love the cover and the book sounds amazing!
Great post! And great cover! I have two novels published but have been thinking of going indie and trying to learn everything I can, so this post was perfect at a perfect time. I’m a huge reader, and the only reason I even look at a publisher nowadays is pure curiosity, and to keep tabs on what’s current at the moment. I’d love to know more about going indie, i.e. how to find a great editor, a great cover artist. Some of the info out there is a bit overwhelming. Thanks for sharing your experience and I wish you all the best!
I went Indie mid-2011 and have no regrets. What I do have is a full-time writing career and matching income that helps support my family. When I was small press published, I was lucky if I made enough to buy a couple bags of groceries every quarter.
Wishing you all the best with your indie career, Cassanda!
My small traditional publisher closed suddenly in July due to the tragic death of one of the owners. I’d already planned the luau launch for the third book in my humorous romantic mystery series, DYING FOR A DAIQUIRI, so I felt I had no choice but to get all three books back on the market. I absolutely LOVE having control over everything, and as you mentioned, Cassandra, the ability to immediately fix any teeny tiny error that might have slipped through. My cover artist and editors are the best and working with a team I personally selected also improved the quality of my books. And I’m completely supporting myself on my earnings now!