Closed

This blog is closed. Please come and visit me. http://laburton.livejournal.com/

Making a Move

Like many others my critique partner included I will be moving my blog to Livejornal. When the new blog is done I'll send you the site address.

Plans

Sorry for the long absents but I have had a lot research on self-publishing. Let me tell you there is a lot. I can’t help but wonder why in the field movies and music the creative person can basically self publish and they’re looked at as innovative but in writing, it’s so frowned upon. If you do it with the conviction of a traditional represented writer you can put out a high quality product.

I’m back to editing SoM and I’ve found a phenomenal artist to do my cover. I can’t wait to see it. As I started down this path I became over whelmed with the enormous task of everything that had to be done so I stepped back took a deep breath and came back with open eyes. After many lists I have a plan.

This path that I decided to go down I have no doubt that it is where I’m suppose to be. I just hope that things will go how I have them planed.

Turn of Events

Well after a lot of research and reading, I’ve decided to self-publish. I know what everyone is thinking. You’ll never be picked up by a large publishing house and if I can’t make my career happen well I don’t deserve it. But, trust me I’ve got the determination to make it a go.

Even if you don’t agree with my decision that’s fine but I highly recommend two books for you read and take notes on. The first is ‘Self-Publishing Manual’ by Dan Poynter and the other ‘The Well-Fed Self-Published’ by Peter Bowerman. The information in these books will help the traditional published and the self-published. Reading these two books I’ve learned more than I did in seven years that I’ve been writing. If you never read anything else that I recommend please read these two books.

One thing that surprised me was some of the people who self-published amazed me. Everyone from Mark Twain, which didn’t surprise me because I knew he did but M J Rose and many others. I would be proud to join their ranks.

New Start

As writers when we find that hard to get, rare species known as the, Agent we sit back and let them handle the business side of our career so we can stick to the creative side of writing. If any of you have stopped at J. A. Konrath’s blog, you will learn many things about the business side of our industry everything from writing a great query letter to book signings.

I think that it’s important to know and understand what your agent is doing to get your work sold and what to expect after you’ve signed your contract. After a lot of thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that I will be parting from my agent. Before anyone asks, I won’t be answering any question as to why I’ve made this decision.

At least now, at this stage of my writing career I have complete control over my own destiny. And, right now, I’m okay with that. I will give you more information soon as to how I’m going to proceed. It may surprise you.

New Beginnings

As I step back from my writing and watch our new President takes office. Everyone around the world is watching. All day I’ve seen clips from the great Martin Luther King’s words fill the screen. If anyone can pull this country together, President Obama can. A man that is white, African American, a man with the energy to get the job done and the determination to do. I’ve heard it many many times today, ‘We are proud to be Americans’.

He makes you want to get out in the community and help. I’ve noticed commercials on TV about working together and volunteering in the community. I’ve even seen the President in one. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen a President on TV without it being an election year. It’s very hopeful.

I’ll get off my soapbox. Before anyone asks about the picture and my name, copyrights I haven’t heard anything yet. But, as soon as I hear something, I’ll post it. In the coming weeks, you’ll start seeing a change or two. Please let me know what works and what doesn’t.

Lesson Learned

As writers, we all protect our ideas furiously so when we find out that someone is using our creation it’s like a blow to our gut. Best case and point is Stephanie Meyers and her Twilight series, someone leaked her unfinished work onto the internet. Whether it was done or not is beside the point. No one has the right to your writing, art or poetry or whatever it may be without your explicit permission.

Only a precious few get to see my writing and to make my blog look more professional I paid an artist to create a character portrait of my main character. Now the artist is selling my characters picture on mouse pads. The only problem is that she is selling them with my name. It’s totally uncool and my agent is looking into legal steps.

What I’m trying to say is guard your precious work with everything you got. Be very careful who you trust.

Helpful Hints

Every once in a while search your name on the web.

Also, search your main characters name and/or series name.

Protect your material, book covers, character pictures and name.

If your name or character is being used without, your consent don’t let it go.

Find out your legal rights.