Crossroads

I'm not certain how many other writers, who have put up their backlist or other returned stories on Kindle, are comparing the royalties they're getting from publishers and that which are coming directly to them from Kindle. I know I am and the difference is astonishing. I'm getting practically nothing from several established publishers and selling an average of 15 stories a day the self-pubbed route. It makes you wonder why you should bother with the publishers at all. With that in mind, I'm going to have to make a decision what to do with my novels that are ready to go. Realistically, I need an eye-catching cover and an edited story. That I get when I sign with a publisher. However, I can hire an editor and a graphic artist. Lately, I've done some of my own covers. Even so, I might have to lay out some money, but will it be worth it? From the results I'm getting, I really think so.

Lemonade

I have come to the conclusion that my writing career has taught me how to make great lemonade. We've all been told to take the lemons we've been handed and change them into lemonade. I've now think I've made it into an art form. And don't forget "a day late and a dollar short". That probably applies to me as well. However, I've got to pat myself on the shoulder.

When the third publisher closed her doors and returned the rights to my short stories and novellas, I finally decided I wasn't going to start from scratch again and resubmit them to another publisher. It wasn't worth the aggravation. Instead, I decided to take the already edited stories and get them back up at the esites they'd just been removed from. Why not cut out the middle man and receive the lion's share?

Well, I did just that for 5 of Candy Caine's Stories. They all have new covers and are currently up at Smashwords. Two have already begun their journey to the other esites and three are waiting approval for premium status. It's a good feeling to have accomplished something I didn't know I could do. Most of the covers were my own creation.

The really good part is that anyone can do this. I know the publishing business is in constant flux and I'm not the only person to get their work back because their publisher flatlined. There's message here. Don't give up. Perservere and you'll surprise yourself.