Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Indie Life: My Debut Novel

The Indelibles

The Indelibles will be hosting a monthly feature called INDIE LIFE. Modeled after Alex Cavanaugh's awesome Insecure Writer's Group, this will be a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

What is Indie Life? How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page here. When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month. What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie. Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!


My Debut Novel

I've been giving a lot of thought about my debut novel. True, I've published short stories, novelettes, and novellas, but so far, I don't have a novel-length work out there, even though I've written drafts for four novels.

I've worked with publishers before and have had good and bad experiences with them. The worst was the publisher who shall not be named who ended up scamming all of us and taking our money earned. The best gave me rounds of editing that I sorely needed and taught me a lot about editing in general.

As for marketing, I've found with most publishers I'm still going to have to do a lot of it on my own.

But I also have enjoyed self-publishing. I enjoy searching for covers. I enjoy formatting and even plan to learn how to format the hard way for Men of Foxwick. I've enjoyed the control over my product. Of course, it's also hard because everything is on you--for good or bad.

When it came to publishing a novel, I was at a crossroads. I could see the benefits of both sides. But did I want to give up control? The thought twisted my stomach into knots the more I thought about it. There's a ton of things I won't sign in a contract, and frankly, I don't think most publishers would be willing to make the changes either. Should I submit just to perhaps waste both our times, if a deal couldn't be reached?

I kept going back and forth, but in the end, I've decided I want to be in charge and self-publish my novels too for now. So I'm officially announcing that Reborn, Book One of The Fate Challenges (YA Epic Fantasy), will be released on May 23, 2014.

I will need a lot of help with the promotion, so if you'd like to help me out, then please click here to sign up. I know it's still a ways off, but the more preparation now will help make it easier in the future. Or so I hope.

By the way, Reborn is the new title for The Phoenix Prophetess and the trilogy is now called The Fate Challenges, instead of The Phoenix Trilogy.

Yes, 2014, a tad over a year away. Why so long? Well, it's my debut novel. I want to take the proper amount of time I need to make it the best it can be. It'll also give me time to write books two and three and have them in editing stages by the time book one comes out. Plus, I need to find a cover artist for it (what I have in mind is beyond my meager skills) as well as a map artist. These things, along with marketing, take time, and I want to give me the most time possible.  As for May 23, for you non-Amorans, May 23--also known as 23 of Inasham--is the day of the sixth Phoenix Prophetess's birth (i.e. Yssa, the main character of the trilogy). It seemed fitting that the day of her birth should be the day the novel releases.

So, there you have it. My debut novel releases in just over a year. I better get to work.  

Check out the other Indie Life posters:

26 comments:

Summer Ross said...

That would be a difficult decision. I know you can reach your deadline. I'll sign up closer to that deadline if you send out a reminder- it's so far in advanced I have no idea where I'll be or what I'll be doing.

~Summer

Nissa Annakindt said...

Wow, I hope you manage to make your deadline. I'm only just beginning with my own WIP so I don't have to worry about that yet.

Anonymous said...

How exciting! Good luck. At least being in control means if you want, you can move the date up if you find yourself ahead of schedule. =)

Nick Wilford said...

This is very exciting! All the best of luck with the preparations. You are a smart cookie for setting deadlines as it will keep you on track. I will go and see about signing up - I'll still be here in a year!

Lauren said...

I think we all reach that point, when we have to go right or left. And that...will make all the difference. :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats, Cherie. It sounds like you've really considered your decision carefully. And great that you are waiting a year so you can be completely prepared.

Jack said...

How exciting! I'm going to sign up to help!

Also, I know of a cover artist. He is really good and he doesn't charge an insane amount. He'd be willing to work with you to get you the cover YOU want. If you are interested I will send you his email.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I'll help to promote wherever I can. And I'm serious about giving it a go on trying to do a map for you. Maybe I could even try my hand at doing a cover for you in exchange for a future edit or something. I doubt I could do as good a cover as the stuff you've obtained thus far though.

Julie Flanders said...

This is totally exciting, Cherie. Good for you! I will be more than happy to help with promotion in any way I can. :)

Jai said...

That's so exciting. A year seems like a long time but it will come fast.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Smart to plan that far ahead! You know I'll help.

RaShelle Workman said...

Congrats on your book release news. YAY!

M Pax said...

Love the titles!

You know I'll help however I can.

Lisa Gail Green said...

Congratulations!!!! I faced a very similar decision even though I have a "small press". It's still Indie, but I couldn't be happier with the way it's turned out so far. Best of luck!!

Jennifer Recchio said...

Congratz! I think you win some sort of planning skillz award for setting up this far in advance.

Cher Green said...

Congrats on decision made, deadline set, and LOVE the new title.

Brandon Ax said...

Would be glad to help, just let me know when and I'll be there.

Heather R. Holden said...

Like you, I prefer having control. It's one of the reasons why I finally decided to take the plunge with webcomics. Very cool how you're going to go the indie route with your debut novel! I love the significance behind the planned release date. Even though May 2014 seems like a long ways away, it'll no doubt be here before any of us know it. Good luck with Reborn, as well as the rest of the books in this series! :)

Anonymous said...

I signed up. I'd love to help out. May is a busy reading and blogging month for me, but I'd love to help in June.

Unknown said...

That's for posting about the indie life feature, it sounds perfect for me!

Good luck with the novel. I think setting a deadline with plenty of time is a good idea. I didn't set mine with enough time, and had to keep revising it!

Rinelle Grey

Christina Lee said...

I think your planning is SMART! Good for you and good luck!

Unknown said...

Cherie, I love how you have set a date to commit to! I have signed up to help, but please feel free to give me a nudge when the time comes.

Best of luck!

Christine Rains said...

It's awesome that you're planning already. You've got plenty of time to make the deadline. I'm so excited for you!

Unknown said...

That is so exciting! And well done for being patient enough to give yourself the time to get the whole trilogy planned properly. We authors can be impatient to get our stories out there, but I'm sure it's always better in the long run to make sure you're properly prepared first.
Oh, and if you're wanting to try a new cover designer, I could *cough cough* recommend one ;-) Hehe! Kidding, no pressure. I'm sure you'll need to do some research and find the best cover designer for your series.

Jeff Hargett said...

Wow, my head didn't stop nodding the entire time I read this. I related to the entire post. I wish you all the best. I have no doubt you'll make it the best you possibly can.

Unknown said...

Hi Cherie, I have left you a little something at my site!