Nervous about Self-Publishing?

I was too.

Because here's what I knew about self-publishing before this year.




See the blank space?^^^^ Yeah, that's pretty much it.

But so many writer friends, whether they had agents or not, were making the decision to do it. And here's the amazing thing about writers--they are generous! And encouraging! And they will help you, even when you are a toe-dragging, self-doubting, indecisive mess.

They shared articles with me, like this one about why even big names are choosing self-publishing. And this one about what different authors are making from self-published books. And this one about how much money you might have to invest at the start.

Then I read Hugh Howey's interview in the May/June 2013 Writer's Digest. Click here for a similar blog post by him if you can't get the magazine.

And I was convinced.

But I was still clueless.

So I began researching it, and thanks to the generosity of other writers and websites like The Creative Penn and The Book Designer, I am finding my way.

You can too.

And for me, once that decision was made, everything changed for the better--because I knew I was writing for readers, not literary gatekeepers. My writing got better too. (And much, much sexier.) Sitting down at the keyboard was a joy, not a chore.

Now, will it take a lot of work and investment beyond actual writing time and lattes at Starbucks?

YES.

Does the thought of it overwhelm me so much that at times I want my Bombay Sapphire delivered intravenously?

YES.

But do I have complete creative and financial control?

YES.

Do I love writing more now that I feel that freedom?

YES. A thousand times, YES.

Still not convinced? Take a look at this Forbes article, posted last week (4/30/13), entitled When the Self-Published Authors Take Over, What Will Publishers Do?

It's a really incredible time to be a writer and a reader--we've never been more empowered to make our own choices.