Dame Rinda
I am thrilled to introduce you to T. L. Schaefer. Not only has she become one of my best friends, she’s a great roomie at conferences and an all around cool person. (Our Runestone road trip is coming up soon, babe!)
She’s also a fantastic author. I had the privilege of reading an early version of Behind Blue Eyes and found it to be an exciting and romantic paranormal police procedural so I’m really looking forward to purchasing it to read again! It releases on August 3rd. Check out the book HERE and the excerpt HERE.
T.L has THE KNOWLEDGE when it comes to epublishing and she’s sharing. She’s also offering up a really nice giveaway. So ask away, share experiences–pick her brain!
ePublishing…A Boom a Decade in the Making (aka All Hail the eReader)
When Dame Rinda asked if I’d be interested in being a Dame for a Day, I have to admit I squeeeeeed quite unprofessionally for at least a full minute before taking a deep breath and calmly writing back “Are you freakin’ kidding? I’d LOVE to!” Then the awful truth of what I’d agreed to began to sink in. What in the hell was I going to write about? I’m not published by one of the big New York houses, so can’t offer advice, or even witty sidebars (really not all that witty anyway). I don’t write full time (I work for the Air Force), and worst of all, I’m also an editor (gasp!!).
After hyperventilating for at least twenty minutes, I poured myself a glass of wine and unwrapped some dark chocolate in lieu of the cigars I gave up 18 months ago. Hey, it doesn’t matter that it’s only two p.m. in Oklahoma, right?
So I pondered (and had another glass) and finally came up with a topic I sincerely hope will be mildly interesting…perceptions of the e-publishing industry–from someone who’s been there almost the entire time.
The tenth anniversary of my first published book rolls around in December (yes, you read that right…I epubbed a book ten years ago). The Summerland was my publisher’s second offered work, and I’m happy to say they’re still around and kicking, but focusing more on the erotic side of sales right now.
It took me a year to write Summerland, and when I got ready to submit, I tried epublishing first for two reasons…1) I can be incredibly impatient *G*, and 2) I hadn’t read anything remotely like it in traditional publishing, so had no idea who to even submit it to. I also wanted to see if it sucked or not.
That’s not to say I haven’t pursued traditional publishing. I’ve come “close” at least half a dozen times (according to agents and editors, not me), but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, so I decided to stick with what makes me happy (see below), and maybe that will translate into a NY contract…or not. Although I have to say, if paranormal police procedurals become the new “big” thing, I’m pushing my next “wow, this would be fun to try” manuscript under the bed for four years and then resubmitting, because that seems to be the curve I write to…grrr.
So now it’s almost a decade down the road, and I’ve written five full-length books and six novellas, all published by reputable ePublishers. What have those ten years taught me?
First, do your research before submitting to a publisher, be they print or “e”. I happened to get lucky my first time out the gate, but I know many, many authors who’ve been royally screwed over the years, and again, not just by “e” publishers, although that tends to be the majority of failures we, as authors, hear about. These days anyone can make reasonably good cover art, run spell check and call a book “ready”. That IS NOT getting published, at least not by someone reputable who’s gonna pay on time. As authors, we all have to pay our dues, and part of those dues is going through the excruciating pain of edits *VBG*. If it isn’t painful…if you don’t curse your editor at least a dozen times while looking at the “suggested” rewrites…then something’s wrong.
Second, when it comes down to it, write for YOU. Yeah, that’s easy for me to say, since I’ve got a day job I’m going to hang with for the long haul, but I’ve tried writing to the market, and I’ve tried not eating, and neither sets very well with me. In the end, writing what made me happy…well, it made me happy. And therefore more productive, and more invested in my characters, and so on.
Last…the bonds you form with your brethren are not only important—they’re vital. It’s too easy to get bogged down in life and let those friendships and partnerships slide. I’ve been guilty of that myself, blaming it on the day job, quitting smoking, not writing, all manner of excuses, but at the end of the day, that’s all they were. Excuses. This is a solitary business, with almost all of the action going on inside our heads. To have someone understand those dynamics is a treasure beyond compare.
Yeah, a decade has gone by. I’ve seen the big “4” (at least IMO…EC, Samhain, Loose Id, and Liquid Silver) start up and flourish. I’ve seen spectacular crash-and-burns by folks with no real idea what it takes to produce, market and sell books. And in the end, I’ve found the freedom to write the kind of stories I want to write, I’ve learned how to become a better, more compelling writer through professional relationships, and I’ve seen my babies both on an e-reader screen and in print. And who among us doesn’t want that?
Now that I’ve blathered on for a good looooong time, let me end with a caveat…each of our journeys is vastly different (just look to this blog to see excellent examples), so take my words with a grain of salt. If print publishing is what you’ve set as your ultimate goal, then going with a straight-up ePublisher will be a disappointment, because it is a vastly different corporate enterprise. Each of us has felt the pain of facing the blank page, of deleting chunks of narrative, of seeing those dreaded red marks from our critique partners. At the end of the day, make the decision that will keep you waking up at night and reaching for the notepad!
For those of you who have made it through this RIDONCULOUSLY long post, comment about your experiences, ask a question, or whatever, and I’ll draw a random name for a signed copy of THE SAINTS OF MIDLAND and a $25 gift certificate to Amazon to celebrate my new release, BEHIND BLUE EYES.
Terri writes paranormal romance/romantic suspense as TL Schaefer, and erotic romance as Keira Ramsay. She is a Medical Risk Manager for the Air Force by day, the Editorial Director of Liquid Silver Books by early evening, and an author into the wee hours. Visit her at www.tlschaefer.com
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Tags: Behind Blue Eyes, Dame for a Day, Rinda Elliott, T.L. Schaefer
This was particularly interesting to me, especially since 1.) I just bought a Kobo eBook reader, and 2.) I am thinking about trying the eBook route for the same reason you posed here: to see how I will fare there and perhaps springboard to print publishing. It is good to see that at last one other person has had success going from eBook to print!
Congrats on 10 years, Terri! It is amazing how time flies and it is good to have a moment to reflect. Here is to the next 10 yers!
Thanks!
Katie
I think that having the avenue of publishing with an e-publisher has given many authors a chance to get their work out there that they may not have had otherwise, so it’s a good thing. After all that’s why authors write isn’t it? To share their work with the world? I for one am happy they do share, or I’d have nothing to read.
Congrats on your new release, I’m interested in checking it out.
Hi T.L.
I saw Devon’s tweet about your guest post on Twitter! So glad I came by. Your book sounds really good and I will be checking it out. Congrats on ten years!!!
I was not a fan of e-books at all, until I bought an e-reader!! I have a Sony e-reader now and I love e-books. It’s so much fun having tons of books on it to choose from in just a small device.
Congrats on the upcoming release of Behind Blue Eyes!
Your book sounds great thanks for sharing with us
I’ve been thinking about buying an e-reader for quite awhile, but I wasn’t sure I would ever use it. I hadn’t even considered that there were probably many interesting books worth reading that were ONLY available electronically. I also wonder how long it will take for e-publishing to more or less completely replace hardcopy printing. Not soon, but not never, either.
Congrats on the great work you’ve done. I can’t wait to read more!
Thanks!
KatieMck
Thanks for the post- very interesting. I’ll be sure to check out your book!
I am about to get an eReader, but prefer the paper type, I think
There are several authors I want to read who write ebooks only.
I love the *idea* of ebooks, but I’m irritated at all the hurdles placed in the consumers’ way. Format restrictions, proprietary software, price fixing, outright deleting paid-for books off ereaders…the list goes on. I’ve downloaded free ebooks, but I won’t be paying for any until the transition is finished and my rights to own what I’ve paid for are acknowledged. But I’m hopeful that we won’t have long to wait now.
I like the idea of ebooks, there is definitely some benefits to it. But I have yet to succumb to the actual buying of an ereader. The price is one factor and the other is that I still love the feel of a good old fashioned book. But again, I like the idea of ereaders there are definitely a lot of benefits to them.
But it kinda becomes a bummer when I see a book that sounds interesting and it’s only available as an ebook. But that just means one day when I do get an ereader I’ll already have a list of books to buy!
“These days anyone can make reasonably good cover art, run spell check and call a book “ready”.”
So true! My main complaint when it comes to e-publishers is that so many of them publish a book that has potential, but needs at least a couple of more edits if not a lot of re-writing to make it a good story.
Hi TL!!! Interesting post. As much as I am a tech geek, I still love my books in print, so I’ve been know to print out an ebook or 2. It’s just nicer to curl up in bed with. Do you find that you receive less respect from other authors or readers if you say you have published several ebooks versus printed books? I would hope not, but I’m just curious.
Plus, being in the Air Force, how many different countries have you had the opportunity to visit?
Terri, you’re an inspiration. Holding down essentially two jobs and being a professional writer is an amazing amount of work and dedication.
Thank you for sharing your experiance with us, congratualtions on 10 successful years in the industry and here’s hoping for at least 10 more!
I started reading Moira Rogers on my Kindle and have been amazed that their selection of novellas, shorts and novels. It made me start thinking that this might be a good way for me to start too. Your post has made me feel even stronger about it. Since getting my Kindle I’ve discovered so many new authors that aren’t part of main stream publishing. It’s been really cool.
I know I’ve heard that some authors start with e-publishers hoping to be recognized by bigger print publishers. Do you think that’s realistic?
[...] a fantastic writer, TL Schaefer was our Dame for a Day on Saturday and she’s offering a $25 dollar gift certificate and a print copy of one of her [...]
[...] FIRST AN ANNOUNCEMENT: The winner of T.L. Schaefer’s signed copy of THE SAINTS OF MIDLAND and a $25 gift certificate to Amazon will be chosen Sunday, Auguest 8th by midnight. Still plenty of time to enter to win! [...]
congrats on blue eyes. And I’ve been reading books electronically for about 5 yrs now. I am still using my old ebookwise reader and it’s still working. I hope to upgrade this year. But we’ll have to see. Maybe for my birthday which is 8/8 and hubby comes through I can add your book to my new reader.
I am loving my nook, and have been buying ebooks like crazy for it. I love that I can haul 100+ books in just that one lil thing. Not that I’ve given up paper books–for one thing, I love the feel of a “real” book, for another, not all the books I want are available in eBook format (boo hiss)…
Congrats on the release, it is definitely something I’ll have to check out! and this was a really interesting post. I think I’ll always prefer physical books, but an e-reader is on my wishlist for all those times I can’t take books with me.
Congrats on the ten years! Very interesting post, especially since I’ve been considering buying an e-reader but not sure how much I would actually use it. I love my paperbacks and so far I’m sticking with it.
Congrats on the release and your ten years in the biz
I have a question about writing under a pen name, how does one bring that up with an agent or a publisher?
congrats! and the question I love asking authors is what is harder to write, the beginning or end of a novel. first or last chapter?
Congratulations on your release, and thanks for the great post – inspirational for aspiring authors in all formats.
I can so relate. I work full time for the Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality as a Quality specialist with Infection Control background. Have done risk management in the past.
Over the past six years I’ve had two novellas and two cozy paranormal mysteries published by epubs and have my books available as ebooks, on Kindle and in print from Amazonl. I’m working on an urban fantasy called “Dead Fairies.” Sounds like you write something I’d love, will have to read it. Good luck with the launch.Carol
Thank you for your post it was really interesting! (Had to admit I got ineterested right after I read the part where you mentioned you work for the Air Force AND are a published author
)
Wow, doing epublishing 10 years ago, that must have been quite a pioneer thing to do! It must be quite astonishing for you to see how it has evolved and how almost every second person has an ereader now
Congrats on your new release and good luck!
Love the cover for behind blue eyes.
Congrats on ten successful years! I’m looking forward to reading your books!
Congrats on the new release! Lots of interesting stuff in this post to think about.
Congrats! Such a great post
I am ridiculously hooked on my Kindle… bring on the ebooks!
Congratulations on ten years in the business. I love the cover to Behind Blue Eyes.
Thanks so much to everyone for all their kind words! I wanted to pop in and answer a few questions/comments, so please bear with me!
WFeather — alas, I’m not yet pubbed in “traditional” print (don’t wanna seem like a pretender), but there are a TON of authors who have started in “e” with compelling stories that just weren’t at the right place at the right time.
RachaelfromNJ, Susan and Robin K — I still adore print, and have my “keepers”, but “e” is the way I’ve found a ton of new authors, and not just indies like me, but debut authors (waving wildly to Devon). THEN I go out and buy their entire backlist in print *G*!
SylviaSybil — I couldn’t agree more! That’s why I’m a huge advocate of no DRM, but I totally understand the worries of more established authors that their work will be pirated without it. I’d like to think we could follow in the music industry’s tracks, but I guess we’ll see!
Jessica S — Over the course of my decade, I’ve rolled through 3 e-readers…an archaic pre-Palm handheld, an iPaq handheld that lasted me forever, and now I read on my iTouch. I don’t know that I’ll ever succumb to buying a dedicated e-reader…I like my multifunctionality too much *G*
Carien — I think we’ve all seen where folks with great ideas but no real business plan land. In order to make ANY venture viable, be it publishing or opening a hot dog stand, you’ve gotta know what you’re getting into by doing market research, building a business and marketing plan, and then hiring the right folks. It’s certainly not been a place for the opportunistic, because there just wasn’t that much money to be made (except by a select few) until the last few years.
Heatwave16 — I hear ya on curling up, but a backlight is soooo nice *G*. As a dependent wife (my hubby retired from active duty a few years ago), we’ve been stationed in California, the Portuguese Azores and Oklahoma (yeah…HUGE difference *G*), but while we were in the Azores, we got to travel throughout Europe. I just wish places like Hungary and Russia hadn’t been on our “do not visit” list!
Gillian and Katie — thanks so much!
Brenda — I think if an e-author has a compelling, “new” story to tell, then having epubbing experience (in understanding contracting, marketing, promo, etc) would certainly be something that would help them along. But the story’s gotta be there, and the moon has to be aligned, and the tides just right … LOL!
Beth E — when it comes to writing under a pen name, it probably depends on whether you’re talking print or “e”…I’ve yet to meet an “e” house that thinks twice about it, simply because a ton of folks do what I do…create their own mini imprint utilizing different writing names. Print (at least to my understanding) is a bit different, because readers there are working more from name recognition rather than the buzz e-authors try to generate (given the medium and sales levels). Does that make sense?
Erika Lynn — For me, it’s always harder to end on that “perfect” note that resonates for the reader–and for me, because I’ve gotta please myself as well *G*. For some reason, starts are easier for me, usually because they involve someone finding a body…LOL!
Carol — waving!! Good to “see” you!!
Okay, off to bed now, but I’ll check in one more time before Dame Rinda or Dame Devon (not sure which) fires up the Random Number generator.
Cheers!
Your insight into e-publishing is interesting. I never thought I’d own an e-reader and now I can’t imagine life without one… they are hell on my charge card though. I’m going to go look into your books now. And kudos to the artist who came up with the cover. It rocks.
Congratulations on your release. It sounds great!
Also, nice post.
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