I've belatedly realized that much of what I have written has been various parts of a larger story, but not in order. Slowly, over the last nearly 40 years of writing, hopefully I've gotten better at it.
If anyone reads what I have written, I've tried to be optimistic, and romantic in the face of a lot of real life pain. Much of my novel is showing some semblance of order, but it is not finished, and may never achieve the artistry that I had desired. That is a disappointment.
I wonder how many other authors ran out of time before their stories were all told? I'm thinking that I will start publishing soon, despite the fact that the whole story is not told. Afterall how can one assume to tell the story of all of humanity? There are no plans to genuflect to the Amazon empire. What would happen if all or part of the work was offered as possible inspiration to others to give them ideas for their own tales? It bothers me that I can see gaps in the tale and that much of my recent writing has been to fill those blank places.
It is impossible to know how this publishing will progress. Some days there is just lots of energy, others not so much.
None of us knows if we shall run out of time, do we?
I do hope that you enjoy what I hope will follow.
Gwen
Comments
Alternate publishing (non Kindle)
Hi Gwen,
If you want to publish and not be tied to KDP, I recommend Smashwords. I feel there's a distinct advantage over KDP. They have global retail distribution to Apple Books (51 countries), Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Walmart (via Kobo!), OverDrive (reach 20,000+ public libraries!), Gardners (reach hundreds of small ebook stores and 2,000+ public and academic libraries), Scribd, Tolino (powers Germany's largest ebook stores), Baker & Taylor, Inktera and more on the way.
Here's an excerpt from their FAQ page.
How do I choose between Amazon and Smashwords?
This is a common question, and the answer is, "You should work with both of us at the same time!" As an author and publisher, you want to maximize your distribution. The more stores that carry your book, the greater your opportunity to reach readers. When you upload to Amazon, AVOID the mistake of enrolling your book in their optional KDP Select program. KDP Select requires exclusivity, which means you can't sell your book in other stores such as Smashwords and the retailers and library suppliers Smashwords distributes to such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, OverDrive, Scribd and others. Amazon only reaches ebook readers in about 14 countries, whereas Apple Books reaches 51 countries (and dominates the Australian ebook market), Kobo reaches about 160 countries and the Smashwords store reaches almost 200 countries.
I heard Amazon requires exclusivity. Is this true?
No, it's not true but this is a common misperception, and it's a misperception Amazon does little to clarify. Amazon offers two ebook self-publishing options. There's the regular KDP program, and then there's KDP Select which is the opt-in option that forces you to go exclusive with Amazon. Exclusivity is dangerous and risky. It's like putting all your retirement savings in a single Internet stock. Although there's a chance it works for you, there's also a good chance you cause long term harm to your career. It's much safer and sensible for you to diversify your portfolio of retail distribution. Some authors are drawn to KDP Select because they see it as their fast track to success. The truth of the matter is that for most authors, there's no shortcut. To make it as a successful author, it can take years. Each of the major retailers reaches millions of readers that can't be reached anywhere else. Authors who make their books exclusive to Amazon will have a much more difficult time breaking out at other retailers. Much of the confusion about whether Amazon requires exclusivity or not arises from the fact that Amazon has designed their KDP platform to make it look like your account setup is incomplete unless you enroll in KDP Select. At every step of the upload process they prompt you to enroll in KDP Select. If you enroll in KDP Select, you must commit to make your book exclusive to them for at least three months. The enrollment automatically renews unless you opt back out. Authors who enroll in KDP Select are taking a gamble, and they'll miss out on the broader global distribution enabled by Smashwords and its retail and library partners. KDP Select is also like quicksand. Once you step into it, it's tough to get out. Amazon has publicly stated that only 5% of KDP Select authors leave when their three-month enrollment period ends. It destroys your readership at other retailers, and limits your platform-building. It makes your earnings entirely dependent upon Amazon. Learn more about the risks associated with KDP Select in Mark Coker's blog post, Amazon Shows its Predatory Spots with KDP Select.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
Great info. Thanks!
Great info. Thanks!
Kris
{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}
Smashwords
Now that Smashwords is part of Kindle, how does it affect things? I think I'm with select. I'll need to opt out.
Portia
What?
CreateSpace is now part of Kindle, not Smashwords which is still independent as far as I know.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Of Course
You are correct.
Portia
Not Publishing For Sale.
I hope to get the whole thing out on BCTS. I do not wish to face more rejection and "forced editing" from publishers at any price. "IF", in the unlikely event that someone at BCTS wants to massage it to a paid publishers liking, with any moneys going to BCTS, be my guest. My own feeling is that the story ideas and plot are unique, but perhaps not socially acceptable? My sentence structure is lacking but I have yet to encounter an editor who wanted to fix just that.
I've had years and years exposure to other cultures, and being from Dust Bowl Okie stock, well perhaps my writing lacks refinement.
Gwen
Getting It Read For Content
Someone has offered to read it for content. We'll see what they think of the two chapters that are already published.
Gwen
All one big story? Or ...
... could it be that you have Book 2, Book 4, Book 5, Book 7... of the large story, but each is a worthy story that can stand on its own? Star Wars showed us that it is not necessary to release the books in sequential order! :)
Sara
Sara
Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.
Perhaps You Are Correct.
I had not thought of it that way. My "Hala's Snow Day" and "Cowgirl Hala" are very closely linked. What I have seen as Chapter 3, I've tentatively called, "The Sheik's Daughter". However, I see your point and it and the following three chapters could be seen as a new book. It is related to the original stories, but a generation later. Following that logic, Book 3 might be around 200 years later than the "Hala" stories, and might be 3 chapters or more.
Now I must get back to work.
Thanks
Gwen
When is the "end of the story" really the end?
And when is the "beginning of the story" really the beginning? In truth, aren't stories just self-contained snippets of a larger story? I've noticed that some authors properly end their stories "The end ... for now." I've yet to see any who say, "The beginning ... for now" though my survey is far from exhaustive. :)
Sara
Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.