7 Years and Counting

 

Sunday, 14 November, was my 7 year independent author-publisher anniversary. Time flies when you’re having fun. And I’ve been having lots of fun.

Publishing stories and books, seeing them in actual and virtual print, is the realization of a dream I’ve had for as long as I can remember.

These past 7 years I’ve met all manner of wonderful and delightful people. I’ve written well over 30 books and stories. Most I’ve published. Some are exclusive to the fans on my mailing list. (Hint, hint.)

Anniversaries, for me, are times to not only celebrate, but also to reflect on the past and contemplate the future.

When I look back to 14 November 2014, a lot has happened. 2015 saw the beginning of massive changes on the indie publishing scene.

The easy money and fame quickly became a thing of the past. Competition skyrocketed. There was the rise of the middlemen and the marketing gurus, with their get rich quick schemes.

Starry-eyed wannabe authors came and went. Some writers still talk about the book that’s coming out soon. And there are some who are indeed livin’ the dream — they struck gold. They quit the day job and get to tell stories for a living.

I confess I’ve never been money motivated. Money’s nice and makes living a whole heck of a lot easier. Nevertheless, there are things that are more important than money.

Seven years of doing this indie gig, I am not monetarily better off. It’s cost me more than the royalties I earned. But money isn’t everything.

Let me count my blessings:

• I’m having fun.
• I’m writing and publishing what I want to write and publish. There are no gatekeepers telling me NO.
• There are people who like my stories. People who think my stories add value to their lives.
• I’ve met writers whose books have added value to my life.
• And did I say I’m having fun?

Before turning to fiction, I wrote poetry and had hundreds of poems published. People recognized my name. And that was a good feeling. People found value in my poems. So you see money isn’t everything.

So what’s on the docket for year 8 of my writing adventure? The answer’s pretty simple: more stories, more fun.

I’ll be writing new books and stories, with the focus on providing a good number of those to my mailing list. (Hint, hint.)

I’m looking at giving screenwriting a try. My first successful writing endeavor was a play. So I see screenwriting as something akin to going home.

Audiobooks and perhaps a YouTube channel are also in the works. After all, before I wrote anything I told myself stories. Going audio will be a definite homecoming.

Writing has brought me small triumphs and great joy. What can I say? This is a wonderful life.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

If you join my VIP Readers list, you’ll get the book Vampire House and other early cases of Justinia Wright, P.I. for free. Click or tap this link to BookFunnel.

If you join my VIP Horror Readers list, you’ll get The Feeder for free, which is a Pierce Mostyn Paranormal Investigation only available to my VIP readers. Click or tap this link to BookFunnel.

Enjoy!