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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Why Independent?


Better question: Why not? Traditional book publishers are shaking in their boots these days, and for good reason.  Writers don’t need them anymore! We have new avenues that enable us to retain creative rights and control of our own work and to connect directly with our readers. In essence, we’re able to cut out the middle man. 

And good riddance. While it’s true that I’ve heard the odd story of writers benefiting from their relationship with their agents and being treated fairly and honestly by their publishers, most are stories of being rejected, exploited, and/or ripped off. The publishing industry’s purpose, on the most part, is to make a profit off the writer’s work and the reader’s money, and it has made millions by standing between the two.

That’s not for me. I wrote my book, 13 Years in America, for one reason: to share my story with others. I didn’t write it to strike it rich or get famous. I didn’t want to fit my story into the industry standards and jump through hoops to get an agent and publisher to notice me. I decided that my energy would be best spent on what matters: connecting with my readers. 

By choosing to be independent, I’m cutting out the middle man. I’m letting the public decide whether to read and how to rate my writing. The independent path might not be as easy as turning my work over to industry experts, but it will be a lot more real.