Embracing My Options

congerdesign via Pixabay

I'm a hybrid author -- part traditional, part indie. Both of my non-fiction books were published through a contract with a publisher and a third will be released via a different publisher this summer. I self-published one of my novels and the other, originally published through a small independent publisher, is now back in my hands.

Being published through a traditional house or via contract is like being an employee and, as such, it has many benefits. Someone else takes care of the little details I might not want to be bothered with and, as the book sells, I get a paycheck. Perhaps the best part of working within the employer-employee set-up that is traditional publishing is that it gives me access to professionals – professional cover designers, professional editors, professional marketing people, a professional sales team. These knowledgeable people make sure my book looks its best and that it's introduced to the world by a team, not just little old me.

But, as with any paycheck, deductions are part of the deal. In this case, the employer (publisher), who assumes all of the risk, takes a chunk of my paycheck as reimbursement for dealing with all of those details. And, as you'd imagine, the employer has a say in how just about everything is done. This process frees me up to write and, while I have input on how things go, final decisions are sometimes out of my hands.

The other side of the hybrid author coin is the indie publishing side. Working as an independent author (self-publishing), means that I get to make all of the decisions (even the ones I'd prefer someone else take charge of) and I have to find all of those previously mentioned resources on my own. In return, no one gets a cut of my paycheck (unless you count paying the professional editor, cover designer, marketing people and sales resources), but no one is double-checking the details either. Both the money and the headaches are mine, all mine.

This is, as you can imagine, a double-edged sword. 

Once upon a time, I dreamed of getting published and, by that, I meant traditionally published. Agent, editor, advance, royalties -- the whole package. Along the way, I've had all of those, just not all in the same book deal. 

And, as it turns out, that's not such a bad thing.

I like being a hybrid author. Some projects lend themselves to a traditional publishing model, others don't. For those that do, I like working as part of a team to make my book the best it can be. And, whether I'm putting my book in someone else's hands or hanging onto my project page by page, it's wise for me to educate myself about the elements of the publishing process. I believe that every author needs to know as much as possible about the behind-the-scenes aspects of publishing a book, if only to be a better participant in the process. 

Which brings me back to the novel that is now back in my hands. My first novel, Casting the First Stone was initially published by a small independent publisher. In January, I had an opportunity to take back my book and either let it languish or republish it independently.

I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you which choice I'm making.

Currently, Casting the First Stone is unavailable as I consider what I want its re-release to look like. I've considered what I've learned as a hybrid author, and talked about it with trusted friends and fellow authors. I've decided that I want to add a fresh cover to the project before I send it back into the world again, and am thrilled that my talented friend Laurie J. Edwards, who created the cover for Chasing a Second Chance, is helping me make that happen.

At the same time that I'm making these decisions and planning to turn my previously small press-published novel into an indie project, I'm working with a team at Our Sunday Visitor to bring Know Thyself: The Imperfectionist's Guide to Sorting Your Stuff into the world. For me, having one foot in each camp increases my knowledge, my experience and even my creativity, making

me better at this whole hybrid author role.

I'm grateful to be writing (and publishing) in a time where indie publishing is no longer seen as a last resort but, rather, as a viable option. I'm grateful to have friends on the journey -- readers, writers, and publishing professionals -- who make the trip more fun and make all the effort worthwhile. And, I'm very excited to see not only where this road takes me, but what it means for books in all the seasons to come.

I don't know if my next project will be indie or traditional, but I like that my journey has led me to a place where I feel I can make an informed decision.

The Glamorous Life of an Author

Lately, a friend and I have been joking about the glamorous life of an author. I mean, the wardrobe alone inspires envy, don’t you think? And the lifestyle? Like any profession, it has wonderful moments, but chances are, it’s a tad different from what you’d imagine.

In the past eighteen months, I’ve done a variety of events, ranging from traditional bookstore signings to online “appearances” to less-than-traditional celebrations in a few of my favorite places. Most of it has been a lot of fun, and that was no accident. “Fun” was the one ingredient I insisted on when it came to promotion, because, after all, if the event isn’t fun, then I should be spending my time writing instead.

Some events are less, um, eventful than others, and as I reflect back on the past year and a half, it would be easy to complain and concentrate on those.

But you don’t want to read about that.

So, as I prepare to dig into the publishing process for the next book, and climb aboard this merry-go-round all over again, I want to reflect on some of the fun, and offer some thanks. I’m grateful for:

• Special places: Two of my favorite events happened at two of my favorite places: the Starbucks I visit almost daily, and the library my daughter and I “discovered” when she was three.

• Loyal friends: Those who bought my book, acted as beta readers and copy editors, wrote reviews, and, even before that, asked me how the book was coming along — before it was even a book.

• Long-distance friends: My parents threw a party to celebrate the book, which, due to circumstances beyond their control, took place nearly a year after the book came out. Not only did our family and their friends come to celebrate, but so did several of my high school friends, some of whom I hadn’t seen in many years. In addition, friends from the district where I had my first job were the impetus for a party in their neck of the woods where I spent a wonderful afternoon catching up.  

• Brave friends: As I was leaving the house to go to my first book party, it started to snow. Though travel conditions were less than ideal, many friends made the trip anyway, some traveling from two hours away. They’re officially braver than I am, and I’m officially grateful. 

• Clever friends: One of the friends who made the two-hour trip parked himself at a table with his laptop and took it upon himself to procure as many likes for my writer page as he could. I had no idea he was doing this until after the deed was done, and the page had jumped 75 likes in one afternoon.

• Talented friends: One of the baristas at my favorite Starbucks is a trained chef. She and her baking partner created an amazing book cake for my launch party, along with to-die-for jumbo cupcakes. I froze the leftovers and feasted on them for almost a month after the party.

• Patient friends and family, who came to multiple events and tolerated book signings and celebrations long after the novelty had worn off (for them)...even when I scheduled these festivities during our vacation.

• Author friends: The folks who totally get it, help me problem solve when I’m freaking out, and celebrate with me. Some of these are also….

• Barista friends, who came to my launch party and celebrated the book fueled in part by the iced chai tea lattes they crafted for me. Two of these barista friends are writers themselves, and I love our “So, what are you working on now?” talks.

• Online friends, who read my blogs, follow me on Twitter, like my author page and share triumphs along the way. 

Funny how it's all about friends. 

Relationships.

Maybe that's because without them, there's not much to celebrate.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

This morning, I got to talk to a class full of undergrads. Not terribly unusual, as I do this two mornings (and three afternoons) each week. But today, I got to appear not as Professor Hess, but as Lisa Lawmaster Hess, author. 

It was fun appearing as my alter ego. I packed up my whole book signing set-up, complete with no-flame candles and promotional display, and set the stage before I spoke. (I even wore my Casting the First Stone tee shirt). No PowerPoints, no theories -- just off the cuff, sharing what I’ve learned so far in my writing experience.

Here, in no particular, are a few of those things:

1. The opportunity to write uninterrupted for long periods of time is rare. Seize it whenever it arises.
2. Alternatively, it is possible to write in tiny snippets of time if necessary. Use those too.
3. Life is a balancing act. If you want something, you have to go after it, and it’s your job to figure out how to make it all work.
4. A writing career requires a mix of practicality and unadulterated daydreaming. Be practical if you must, but always keep the dream in sight.
5. If you pay it forward as a member of the writing community, you will never be sorry.

Thanks so much to my fellow Jersey girl and professor, Lori Myers who gave me this opportunity to step away from the craziness of the close of the semester and just talk to young, aspiring writers for an hour on a gloomy, rainy day. In spite of the weather, the experience (and the students) were energizing and inspiring. 

What a great way to spend a morning! Now it's time to sip a Starbucks and morph back into Professor Hess...just in time to teach a general psychology class.