Monday, October 03, 2011

My Next Novel, and Why I'm Publishing It... Myself

Happy Monday! It's been a glorious summer weekend in London -- over 30 Celsius! Sunny! Joy!

So, I've got some news. Some rather big news for me! First of all, I have a new novel, Build a Man, coming out on December 7th as an ebook, and in paperback in the new year. If you're on Goodreads, you can add it here.

I'm really excited about this one, because it's told in first person (a departure for me from the first two novels), and because I absolutely love the main character, Serenity, and Jeremy, the man she 'builds'. Also, having worked in a spa with many wealthy clients about, well . . . I feel I had a very good grounding to accurately portray the setting. And look at the lovely cover India Drummond custom designed for me (If you're looking for a great designer, she's your gal.)

Here's a bit more about Build a Man:

Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she's a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, every pitch she sends out disappears like her clients' liposuctioned fat, never to be seen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie -- the hang-dog man determined to be Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between -- giving Serenity a story no editor could resist.  
With London's biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy's progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy's life. But when Jeremy's surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.

But the truly exciting bit for me is that I'm self-publishing this.  It's a decision I've thought long and hard about over the past few months, and I've come to the conclusion that for me, this is the right option. Brace yourself for a rather lengthy explanation!

I finished writing Build a Man about a year ago, but put it on the back-burner to release The Hating Game with Prospera Publishing, a small independent publisher. Between launching my first novel and getting started on Watching Willow Watts (also under contract with Prospera), I finished up edits on Build a Man. I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to go with the MS, but I'd met some lovely agents along the way and submitted the novel to them. There was interest, revisions . . . time passed, but ultimately I was told the chick lit market in the UK was saturated and publishers weren't taking on many (if any) new authors for that genre.

I had a decision. One: I could submit Build a Man to Prospera, who might publish it. Two: I could submit to another small publisher directly. Three: I could continue submitting to agents, in hopes of getting a big publisher. Four: I could go it alone.

One: Prospera has been brilliant -- I had a great editor there who was very easy to work with, supportive and understanding. I would never in a million years regret working with them, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. But as the majority of my sales are on Amazon -- and in ebooks -- I didn't see why I couldn't hire a cover designer and a professional editor (in this case, the wonderful Caroline Smailes, a bestselling novelist herself) and keep all my profits.

Two: Any small press struggles with bookshop distribution, and I already had a very good situation at Prospera. One of the things I'd decided was that I wouldn't leave Prospera for another small press.

So, that left two decision points: try to get an agent and hopefully a big publisher, or go it alone.

Three: Let's say I was lucky enough to get an agent. Would they be able to sell my novel? How long would it take? And if they did sell it, how long would I have to wait until it was published? All things considered, the fastest would probably be a year -- if I was super fortunate. In one year, I could write three novels and have them bringing in revenue. Not only that, I've already made off one e-book (The Hating Game) what big publishers might offer me as an advance for two or three books. The financials just didn't add up.

So, that left going it alone as the logical choice for me. I can control my output. I can build up my readership on my own timeline. And I can keep the revenues! I truly believe readers don't care who or what has published a novel, as long as it's an engaging, high quality story. That's what I'm looking forward to delivering.

 Have I abandoned my dream of being published by one of the biggies? No, and I'm certainly not one to say that traditional publishing is dead, and self-publishing is the only way. It's different for everyone, and this is the choice I've made. I have learned there is more than one way to achieve a dream. Right now, my dream is to have as many readers as I can, as quickly as possible. And for me, that means self-publishing.

Is it a risk to walk away from a very good relationship with a great publisher? Yes, of course. But business is business, after all, and I need to think of my writing as a career. I've never been one to stick at a comfy job just because it's comfy. I like the element of moving forward; trying different things. And we parted on amicable terms, so who knows what the future holds?

Things are changing fast in publishing. It's exciting for everyone, and I can't wait to see what's ahead!

144 comments:

  1. I'm so excited and proud of you I can't support you enough! Anything you need from me I'm available. Your a rockstar and I know you'll own the self publishing world! You're just that brilliant at what you dO :D

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  2. Wow that is big news Talli. Best of luck with it all, I'd love to interview you about it for the site,
    Cesca

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  3. Tali-
    You have just outlined my dilemma, minus the brilliant editor/cover artist waiting in the wings. I'm quite close to finishing my 4th book & have been toying with self publishing. I too had a wonderful small press...but they closed to submissions!
    I've tried to tackle an agent...but I can't wait for five to ten years to pub my book! (seriously, I met a woman who just waited 10 years for her Random House moment. I do not have that kind of patience).
    You. Go. Girl! Women have always loved well written humor. You're a shoe in!

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  4. That's great. And it makes so much sense especially from everything I've been reading. By self publishing, it doesn't mean authors never want to be traditionally published, but the contracts just aren't good right now.

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  5. What a bold and daring decision! Good luck to you, my dear, but I'm sure anyway you'll rock the chick lit world out of its shoes. You're a star!

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  6. Congratulations, Talli - it sounds as though you've made exactly the right decision for yourself.

    I have a question, though :) Point 3 isn't likely to change much, as the agent/publisher system seems to be very slow and I haven't seen any moves towards speeding things up. Do you foresee a time when you would be willing to wait that long? Do you think that different paths may suit different books? Just curious :)

    Can't wait for BAM!

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  7. I think you have made an excellent and wise decision!!! Congrats and I really wish you all the best with this. You have my full support! And you know, if you need an advanced reader, you def have one in me :o)

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  8. Really interesting post, Talli. I think that from the way you explain the process, you came to exactly the right decision. If you already have a track record and a readership in e-books, why not go it alone at least to test the market? The cover looks fantastic and definitely right to put it through the hands of a professional editor.

    Wishing you every success, Doug

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  9. Well done on taking the initiative, Talli, especially when you already have such a huge following. All the best with your new venture!

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  10. I am SO excited for you!!!!!!!!! (And welcome to the dark side...!!) I think you've made an excellent decision, you've done everything right (how amazing is your cover?! I didn't know India did cover designs!) and you are definitely headed for success with this. Fantastic!

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  11. Oh how exciting, I know you will do awesome.
    Good luck :)

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  12. This is so interesting - someone moving from traditional publishing and doing it herself. Given some of the anti-self-publishing tripe that still washed around the internet this might look like a brave move. But you've obviously thought it all through - do blog your progress.

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  13. Go Talli go! You are and will be an inspiration for the rest of us.

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  14. Wonderful news! Congrats Talli. I'm impressed, such a great decision. Publishing is such a great industry to be in and I wish you all the success with your new book and the big step forward!! x

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  15. So exciting that you've decided to put yourself at the helm of your career.

    You've done so well, building a wide readership base, which I'm sure will continue to expand!

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  16. Thank you so much, everyone. I truly love and appreciate all the support!

    Ellen, that's a great question. I hope publishing speeds up eventually - I think it will need to to satisfy e-readers' voracious appetite (the people, not the machines, ha!).

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  17. Whow! Sooooo excited for and with you all the way. You will be fantastic. My 3 books are SP and like you I have a professional editor and a professional cover designer.... you can do it and you will do it big time.... Good Luck Talli...... xxxx

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  18. You've made a wise decision, Talli. You already have very impressive readership levels, and do a fantastic job of marketing and promotion, so I'm sure this one will fly off the shelves too. Woo!

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  19. That's very exciting news, Talli. You have the platform and the sales record to be a big success in self-publishing. Good luck and well done, you.

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  20. Brilliant news! I'm doing the same with some of my stuff. It's right for the right books and you are definitely the right author to do it!

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  21. Congratulations, I'm so excited for you!! The book sounds fantastic, and I think you're making the right decision to just go for it and make it happen. Woo-hoo!!!

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  22. I think it sounds like a perfect choice! Good luck, I can't wait to see it available in Amazon!

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  23. This is a dilemma many of us struggle with. May your struggle end in joy.

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  24. I'm reading more and more about self-publishing. There's room for all formats, I think. Good luck:-)

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  25. That makes so much sense. And what's great about your books is that you have a definite "brand". I love that the third one will be packaged with the same look. When you're selling on-line I think that's important. Readers won't care or know that the third one is self-published. They just want to read another story.

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  26. It's a choice many writers are making. I don't think it's a bad choice. You've obviously weighed your options carefully.

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  27. That's a hell of an adventure you're embarking on. Best of luck with it!

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  28. Congratulations to you!!! That's fantastic! And the cover is GORGEOUS! The one thing I took away from this post is that it's business. And yes, you are sooo right. So good on you! Much continued success Talli. You so deserve it.

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  29. Congratulations and good luck! It sounds like a great book.

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  30. Talli, Good Luck with this. I wish you all the best! As always, Cheers to You!!!

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  31. Sounds like you've done well with the E-book, and that alone is inspiration. It's a business, well-said, and if I want to live off the business of writing, I need to be brave and bold like you.

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  32. I am proud of you on multiple levels. This post is great and highlights the pros and cons of all areas. I felt like you were chatting directly with me. :)

    Best of luck with your newest endeavor, although you won't need it. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!!

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  33. Talli, that's brilliant!

    You already have a large readership for your books, and you know your market. With a small publishing press, you'd have to do most of your own publicity, anyway, so it makes good sense to go it alone.

    Good luck!

    Liz X

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  34. Excellent. Good luck. Keep us all posted.

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  35. Good decision. I'm self publishing too ;)

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  36. Congratulations, Talli! You already have a great following, so I believe you've made a great decision. I love India's cover art she made for you, especially how it ties into your other novels' cover art. Brilliant. :)

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  37. You will do wonderful! And now you can get on Celerytree.com! Because its launch will probably coincide with your new book launch :)

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  39. Good luck with self-publishing. I'm sure it'll be a success.

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  40. Great post, Talli. I love that you shared all of the details with us, as I think your post will inspire many other authors too.

    I can't wait to read your new book.

    x

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  41. That is such huge news, so it's big congrats from me and Squizz!!! Well done on taking what must have been a tough decision but I think if anyone has the drive and talent to succeed on her own, it's definitely you. I think readers will love that this means more books per year, as well. Good luck!

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  42. I think you made a wise choice, Talli. Of course, I'm highly biased. LOL :) Can't wait to read Build a Man!

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  43. Wow, kudos to you. I get the feeling this is a very empowering decision, taking you out of the mercy of a slow and subjective publishing system. As writers, how many of us have thought about exactly what you've voiced here ... Thanks so much for sharing your reasoning and decision.

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  44. Good for you. I think you're right, it is all about quality and you've proved you can deliver that already. Good luck.

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  45. Fascinating post! It's really interesting to follow what you're doing and I hope it all works out fabulously!

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  46. Good luck to you! I think that with ebooks dominating so many writers sales that it only makes sense to go it alone. You'll do great and so will your next book!

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  47. Welcome to the ranks, Talli! So happy you're joining the Revolution!

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  48. I know exactly where you're coming from. After four novels with a trade publisher I decided to go it alone in July this year. Barely three months later and my new middle-grade novel launched yesterday. I enjoyed it every step of the way - as I'm sure you will.

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  49. Well done Talli. Lots of other authors are doing the same for that sort of book (you have seen the on the WG2E site, where I saw you comment). I think more and more authors will turn this way in the hard times of publishing. Good for you and wish you all the success.

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  50. You're a brave woman, Talli. I also know you'll make it work big time!

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  51. You crazy Brits, using the Celsius scale, always throw me. :)

    The book looks fantastic (I've added it on Goodreads), and you are totally singing my tune with the self-publishing!

    I know you'll do great, but I'm still going to send you best wishes! I think the path you're on is just right for you! :)

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  52. Seeing how you weighed the pros and cons was really enlightening. Wishing you every success as you start this new journey!

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  53. Sounds like you have really given this a lot of thought. I wish you all the luck in the World Talli and look forward to reading your next tome. :)

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  54. I think you've made a fantastic decision and let's just say I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT! :) Adding to my TBR.

    P.S. Regarding the supposed death of chick lit, with so many readers asking for it, I have no idea why publishers don't want to publish it, especially in this climate.

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  55. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I wish you the best and will be watching your journey for my future reference. :) Keep us posted on how things are going. I am sure it will be a great adventure!

    Have a great week,
    Karen

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  56. That must have been a tough and brave decision and I'm so happy for you that you've made it with such confidence! Your reasoning makes perfect sense: with an established audience buying your books on Amazon, why not self-publish? I can't wait to read this one, Talli! :-)

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  57. Wow. Go, Talli!

    That's really exciting news. Good for you. A lot of authors are going down the self-pub route and I must admit I've thought about it myself. Not sure I'm brave enough or organised enough, LOL.

    Good luck with it. Can't wait to read it!

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  58. Congrats on your decision Tali. It seems the ones who truly give self-publishing considerable amount of thought are the ones who really make something of it. And I'm sure you'll do wonderfully with it!

    I am in a somewhat similar position as you, self-pubing my debut novel while still querying 'the big boys'. Best of luck to you hun, I'm sure it will be an amazing ride for you!

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  59. Hi,

    And why not!? All the best. As you say the royalties are all yours!!!

    I'm contracted to a publisher but I still self-publish. I'm a rebel at heart... At one time I had major shares in a publishing business, sometimes wish I still did, but I always felt I was cheating by being in-house! ;)

    best
    F

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  60. That's very exciting. It is a big decision but it looks like you've thought long and hard and it's right for you.

    Best wished for lots of sales!

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  61. Go, Talli, Go!!!!!!! Yay for you!!!

    All the best with this most exciting venture - yay!!!!

    Take care
    x

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  62. This is EXCITING news! I've already gone to Goodreads and added it to my list. :-)

    Going it on your own used to be so taboo. But with the technological advancements making e-books the new black, it's no wonder great authors, new and experienced, are embracing self-publishing. As much as writing is an art, it is also a business and it's good on you to make a wise decision like this.

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  63. Talli,

    This is exciting news. I think it's brave of you to step out on your own and do what's best for YOU. Very brave and very commendable!

    Be Fabulous!!
    Oh wait, you already are :)
    Jen

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  64. How exciting - and good for you Talli! This sounds like a carefully weighed up and sensible decision. I already can't wait to read Build A Man!

    Congratulations!

    Love, Janice xx

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  65. Good luck with your new venture! I really hope it works out well for you!

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  66. You've really thought this out, and that's the key. You do what's right for you, and we'll be cheering you along your way! I'm so excited for you!

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  67. Its clear you've thought this through, and you're reasoning is definitely sound. I really hope it works out for you! Best of luck!

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

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  68. Good for you, I like the way you think and am sure you'll have great sales for this book too. I'll certainly be buying a copy.x

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  69. Good for you, I like the way you think and am sure you'll have great sales for this book too. I'll certainly be buying a copy.x

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  70. Talli, this is a great idea and you have the enthusiasm and drive to carry it off. I'll be watching your progress with interest and if the amount of comments and Facebook posts generated by your blog are anything to go by, I won't be the only one. Publishing has undergone an amazing turn round since we first met at the RNA party last winter and you were talking about launching THE HATING GAME. [I had NO idea what you were talking about then but it sounded great!] I've learned such a lot from just following you and watching what you've done. If anyone deserves success in bucket loads - then you do. Best of luck with it all.

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  71. Excited about the new book. The heroine in my book Kindred of the Fallen is named Serenity. Do great minds think alike?

    Totally understand and respect your decision. Some traditionally published authors are branching out into self-publishing for some of the reasons you've stated.

    Wishing you many happy sales!!

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  72. Interesting, as I am in a similar position with a small publisher myself. These very same thoughts go through my head -- that a publisher should bring you hard-cover distributions.

    I am hoping my small publisher will bring just that. If not, then I may follow in your steps and self-pub electronically.

    The one rule should be this: Produce ~QUALITY~ work.

    If you do that, the following should grow by word-of-mouth.

    - Eric

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  73. Smart move, Talli. Traditional publishing still takes so long. Add the agent step and it's even longer!

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  74. Hi Talli, found you over at Whole Latte Life. Congrats on your decision, sounds exciting! I have a quick question for you, what publishing platform did you use for your new book? Amazon's Createspace, Smashwords? Thanks, I'm interested in this subject, Mary.

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  75. Thank you SO much for all the wonderful comments and support! HUGS!

    Mary, I haven't published it yet - it's due out on 7th December. But I will use CreateSpace for the paperback, and Amazon and Smashwords for the ebook. Hope that helps!

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  76. Loved hearing your thinking process about self-publishing. Just added Build a Man (is that like Build a Bear?) to my TBR shelf. I wish you much success!

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  77. Hi Talli - this is such exciting news! I know that this will work out fabulously well for you. if there is anything I can do to help - let me know!
    Can't wait to read Build a Man
    Laura xxx

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  78. WONDERFUL! I'm so happy for you. I love when authors take their careers in their own hands and really take charge. Times are changing. I too believe in publishing traditional and self. BUT when I left my publisher, my career took off. I'm the one with my vision....not them.

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  79. Yay! I love the summary of this book--what an awesome concept! I know it's going to do brilliantly.

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  80. Yay for you Talli!

    I think there is a place for writers in both categories--traditional and self pub.

    I think this is particularly so for other stories a writer has that publishers may be reluctant to take on because of such factors of saturation or nothing out there yet quite like story X.

    You've built up a following so I'm thinking you're ahead of the game. :-) and as Elsie said, waaay up there, Women have always liked well written humor and I would add well written books.

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  81. This is brave and exciting. I wish you the best, Talli. This is an interesting time for authors, and it will be fun to watch you in the process. I know you will do well!

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  82. Hey, Susan Kaye Quinn just announced today that she's doing the same thing! Publishing is most definitely changing at a rapid rate and you're in a great position to go it alone - but not alone, you've already got a fabulous fan base. :)

    The cover's fantastic!

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  83. Wow, have you been busy! I'm so excited for you and know that you have made a great decision! The cover looks fabulous and your excerpt is very engaging! Even your new photo sparkles! Good luck and keep us posted! Julie

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  84. Good for you, Talli and for very similar reasons I am considering this route too. I shall follow with interest. Your blog is super, by the way.

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  85. super idea which I intend to follow with interest and great blog.

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  86. Good luck, Talli. Sounds like the right decision ;-)

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  87. Fantastic, Talli, and congratulations.

    You seem to have a savvy brain on your shoulders and you have put the graft into building a readership already; this is a natural progression and one I think many authors will follow.

    Just one question: how do your current publishers feel about this?

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  88. You are unstoppable, Talli! Congratulations and best of luck with your new book. Love the title!

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  89. Congrats, Talli! This is such a brave thing for you to do, and I'm so excited for you. Best of luck!!

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  90. Thank you so much for all the wonderful and very supportive comments! :) :) I'm so happy to have a great community behind me.

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  91. Wow, Talli--that's HUGE! The cover looks great and I wish you a ton of luck! I'm eager to hear how the process goes!

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  92. Very best of luck, Talli, I'm sure this one will be fantastic, if the other books are anything to go by! You've made a rational and sensible choice in this day and age - when writing novels isn't just a 'wafty wafty' hobby but a job that has to pay for itself.

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  93. Good luck Talli with the book. I self published my first poetry book.It went very smoothly and the quality was excellent.

    Yvonne.

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  94. You are incredibly well-positioned for this move. I think it's a great choice for you. I'm curious, if you wanted to go back to your small publisher for your next book, do you think you could or is the relationship completely severed?
    Super proud of you Talli. Please know I will do anything in my bloggy power to help you as I am a big fan.

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  95. Talli this is great news for you. I love the way you've thought so logically about it all and done what's best for you.

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  96. It's great that your book is coming out soon. I'd be interested to know about the events that happen in the publishing world.

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  97. Surprised but delighted at your decision. You've built up a huge following so self pubbing makes lots of sense. Self pub is in the pioneer stage, but if more writers hired a cover artist and got their work professionally edited it would help the gainsayers. I'm going to self pub a short story collection first but I'm hoping to go the traditional route for my novels. Who knows? I know some very successful self pub authors and why not get in there rather that wait years and years - and you get to keep the revenue! You know you have heaps of support. You can count on me.

    RFWer (Romantic Friday Writers) have opened a web site for indi e-publishers to promote their books and put them in one place for buyers. It's just started and working well. Makes it easy to find bloggers who e-pub.

    Denise

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  98. i'm super excited for you! I'm sure it will all work out great and all your reasons made perfect sense to me. Good luck! Can't wait to read it!

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  99. Talli, this is so exciting! I'm really impressed that you're so in-tune with what you want and how to achieve that. Go you! Can't wait to read your newer books, I loved the first one!

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  100. So long as you're not burning any bridges I think you're in a good position to try this. It's certainly worth a shot to see what happens. I wish you the best of success.
    India did a great job with the cover.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  101. Congratulations on your novel! :)

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  102. Congrats! That is an excellent step to take, good luck!
    Can't wait to read it. :)

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  103. You are just a writing machine! I see no issue with self-publishing because of the market. Plus, you already know you can put out a stellar product. Go, girl!

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  104. Exciting decision! I like it - it means we get your book earlier!! Can't wait :)

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  105. Wow, Talli. I wish you the best of success with your new venture. It's a cute cover and ties well with the format of your other books without being exactly the same.

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  106. Woohoo, congratulations! I can't wait till it's available, will make a perfect birthday gift for myself. ;)

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  107. Oh Talli, congratulations!!! This is amazing news... I can't wait for this novel... I fully believe in you, and I know you're going to take the world by storm, no matter which route you take :)

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  108. Best wishes Talli, I'm sure it'll be a hit. =) Plus, if you sell enough copies, you could land a contract w. a traditional publisher ie. one of the Big 6. Check out the post below on Writers' Cafe.
    Lit agents now are on the look out for indie authors who have sold over 10K copies. p/s ~ read all the comments, esp the one by Courtney Milan. It also looks like one of the authors on that thread may have sold the film rights to her book. So the possibilities are endless :) Best! Lisa. oh, here is the link : http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,79117.0.html

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  109. Congratulations on your decision Talli. You've thought about it long and hard, and it's the right choice for you at this point in time. It will be hard to leave the relationship you've formed with your editor, but you have so many fans who will buy your book no matter what, that as you said, you might as well get all the profit. It's your sweat and tears! x

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  111. YOU GO TALLI!

    You will be brilliant! The cover is awesome and the story line sounds amazing!

    You've hooked me. I'm ready for another chick lit novel, especially from you!

    I WISH YOU ONLY RAINBOWS AND SUNSHINE!

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  112. How brilliant! I think it's definitely the right decision for you. Wishing you the very best!!

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  113. Wow, congratulations, Talli. And I know you'll do fabulously well on your own as your books are amazing! Good luck with Build a Man!

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  114. I've read it and KNOW what a star you are! Brave, talented and with 'balls' - you GO GIRL! x

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  115. Sounds like a smart decision for you. Good luck! :)

    If there's one thing I can understand about the self-publishing argument it's the desire to circumnavigate those long waiting periods.

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  116. Wow - you are very brave. Congratulations, and the very best of luck!

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  117. Very exciting and well thought out and researched, Talli. Congratulations, and best wishes for every present & future success! Sue xx

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  118. Good luck on your new adventure!

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  119. That's so exciting!!!! I love how you're doing things your way and I'm sure that you will be awesome at it! I can't wait to read Buid a Man. It sounds like such a fun read! Go Talli! :)

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  120. Very cool, Talli! I meant to comment on this yesterday, but I went over to Goodreads to add Build a Man to my TBR list! :D

    I talked about this phenom w/Elle, who as you know is going it alone, too. And I think this is a much easier step to take once you're "out there" with either a small or big publisher. If you're not, I think it takes a lot more work to get noticed by the masses...

    It's a smart move, and I wish you much continued success! :o) <3

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  121. So awesome Talli! I love that you wrote what was going through your head for each option. It is so fun for me to be able to watch you go through this process & see your successes. I think it is hard for us creative types to remember that we do need to be business people too. Great choice & I know you will rock it! The cover is fantastic too.

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  122. It's a great decision to have made and I truly wish you every scrap of luck because you certainly deserve it. I doubt you'll need it however. You're a popular author and I suspect your sales will soar.

    SP has been hard work for me, I have to admit, and I had another blow today of which I've written about on my blog. It's nothing to worry about but is just a typical aspect of the hardships SP can bring (or not bring in my case, lol)

    Take care, CJ xx

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  123. Good for you! I totally understand your position. Let's not forget receiving a bigger chunk of royalties is an added bonus too! ;o))

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  124. Congratulations on the new book and I think going it alone is a great decision and it sounds like it is totally the right thing for you. I ahve the same dilemma with my latest completed book and I think I may just do something similar to you. Best of luck with it!!

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  125. Makes perfect sense to me! Now you can enjoy larger profits.

    I also recall reading a sample of this work last year. You have an excellent story now that I read the summary.

    Also, kudos to multi-talented India Drummond for her cover design.

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  126. Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your decision and the wise reasoning behind it. I loved your other books and will grab 'Build Me A Man' as soon as it comes out.

    A really intersting post, Talli - wishing you the best of luck as always :-)

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  127. Hi Talli .. great readership for an excellent post - can quite understand your thoughts ... makes absolutely sense - well put across.

    Good luck with it all - the more books out there the more cross-fertilisation there can be .. cheers Hilary

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  128. Talli--Thanks for laying the specifics out so clearly and concisely. For beginning writers like myself, just dipping our toes in the find-a-readership waters, it really helps to understand how more experienced authors like yourself are tackling this problem of a changing market.

    Good luck with this next release. I'm sure it'll be brilliant! :D

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  129. Wow - thank you so much, everyone, for all the comments! :) :)

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  130. That's really exciting news, and a big decision. I know you'll be successful with Build A Man. It won't be long before I'm ready for publishing, and you've been dealing with the same dilemma I will face.

    In the end, it seems to me it's all down to marketing. A publisher is only worth the wait and the cost if they will market the book better than you could yourself. Many published authors find themselves marketing their own work because their publisher does an inadequate job for them.

    If you can sell 20% of the copies by self publishing then you'll earn a better income. In reality, most authors can achieve better than 20% of the sales a publisher can achieve, so surely that means self publishing is the better option.

    I think, if it's well writter, well edited, has good cover art, and is well formated, then the rest is down to pricing and marketing.

    Great news. Good luck with the release.

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  131. OMG Talli! That's amazing! I can't believe how fast you write! I still don't have an eReader, but I am planning on getting Willow and Build a Man as soon as they are in paperback.
    Yay! I'm so proud of you!
    Kim Baker

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  132. Talli, I hope you have great success in e-publishing! And I love the cover.

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  133. Go Talli! So excited for you xxx

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  134. Gosh. I've just heard and came rushing to read all about it. I said in one of your recent interviews that I admired your business skills and now you've changed up yet another gear. Good luck with this. I know you'll make it.

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  135. Great choice, Talli! You've already built such huge platform on your own. As a fan, I'm glad I won't have to wait a year or so for your next novel. Thank you!

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  136. Talli -

    It's clear you are a talented writer. I wish you all the best. I can't wait to read the new book too. Good luck.

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  137. Hi Talli,

    Lovely to read your reaons on why you chose self-pubbing.

    You go, girl! I've just added on Goodreads!

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  138. As always, I'm late to the party, but better late that never. That said, congratulations on stepping out on your own. I love the fact that your cover says 'branding' to me, when I look at it alongside your other covers.

    I'm with you on having more control in terms of publication time and eventual financial gain. You've been an inspiration to me in terms of publicity and I suspect I'll learn more as you go on the journey. Case in point, I haven't started anything of a buzz on my next couple of releases.

    I'm living and learning though. I'm sure Build a Man will be a success. I look forward to reading. Hugs.

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  139. Thanks for taking us through your decision, Talli. I can't wait for this release!

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  140. That is so exciting! And the cover looks great - it fits in well with your other covers. Looking forward to it!

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Coffee and wine for all!