I DID IT!
Self-Publishing My Erotica Didn’t Kill Me
I participated in NaNoWriMo this year and absolutely loved the experience. I had previously done the summer version Camp NaNoWriMo and loved that as well. I was determined to win and self-publish something that I wrote during NaNoWriMo.
The month of November resulted in over 100,000 words written and quite a few short stories, novellas, and the beginnings of a novel. I started off writing “just a novel” and it morphed into a buttload of erotica pouring out that quite frankly I wasn’t sure where it was coming from. My husband is still trying to figure that one out.
Self-publishing scared the crap out of me in the beginning and I wasn’t sure if I was going to put anything out there at all. It took some time, but I finally figured, what the hell, you only live once.
I fell in love with this cover during November (it’s not fancy but something about it I just love) and for most of you that actually read the blog, I’m sure it’s not the first time you have seen it lol.
It was almost like once I put that together I was determined to see it somewhere else than just on my computer screen. I set it as my desktop background on the trusty Mac and looked at it every single day for most of December before I realized that if I didn’t get Jaded out by end of the year I wasn’t going to do it. I would turn my dream into a “resolution” to publish in 2017 and like most resolutions, it would be forgotten within weeks.
I had already put it out there that I would be publishing Jaded (or sending it to Smashwords) on the first of the year. That date started nagging at me and I decided that conquering my fear was how I wanted to end the year. Not starting out a new one wishing that I had just pulled the trigger on what I have wanted to do for years.
My Christmas present to myself this year was to follow my dreams. To not let anyone tell me I couldn’t or that I shouldn’t write what I want to. There were quite a few comments sent to me privately that made that last point very clear. Some people in my life did not approve of the genre I choose to write
“Why don’t you just stick with what you’ve published before? Poetry is safe.”
Well, I do still write poetry but it’s not a matter of staying safe. You don’t become great by playing it safe. You become great by following your true self. I’m not looking to become famous, I’m not looking to be the next E.L. James. I’m just proud to call myself a published author. I’m proud of what I write. I am honored when someone decides to read it.
With that being said, if you chose to read my work – thank you. If it’s not for you, that’s okay too. If you have read this post all the way to the end a big hug and thank you for sure. I’m rambling, but hey, I got to get it out somewhere so why not here.
PS. If you are interested in reading my book I have coupon codes if you purchase off Smashwords here. Enter code YY78G at checkout for 50% off. This code expires on the first. Jaded is also available on iBooks here, and will be rolling out to multiple ebook retailers over the next week or so.
You can also sign up for the Book Release newsletter if you would like and then you will be notified when I publish whatever I am working on at the time (books only).
