Control

Whether it is the “correct” decision or not, self-publishing is the avenue I am using for my books. I decided, at the outset, that I would maybe toy with submitting the books to agents/publishers and, if someone bit, great. If not, I was under no illusions in the first place.

I fully realize that there are pros and cons to both processes. Ultimately, I want to have as much control over my writing as I possibly can. The potential for profit may be less, it may be more, or it may not even matter. Don’t get me wrong, I like to be paid for my work, but these books are more important to me than just dollar signs. I thoroughly enjoy writing them and I hope that people enjoy reading them.

The creation, the writing, the imagination–these are what I value more than anything. Would I love to be a world-famous writer who wordsmiths for a living? You bet I would. I am, however, a realist. What I derive from this whole experience is going to be affected by a lot of factors and, yes, money will be one of them. But it will not, by any means, be the most important factor.

When I first started writing, there were zero avenues for self-publishing, so I consider it a boon that I can work on something in a hobby-like fashion (albeit, rabidly) and, on my own time, put it out there for people to consume and, hopefully, enjoy. Unless something better comes along, this is the route I am taking.