The Anecdotal Life Part. 92

So I find myself becoming a worker ant at the bottom of a pyramid scheme known as the self publishing world. Having dished out 1600 royal schumoleans ( anybody that knows how to spell that, wins a free book--eventually and you have to be first.) to a company named Ex Libris. I am off and running to fulfill all the little carefully prescribed steps they believe an author must do to sell-----if one is lucky and doesn't mind busting one's behind for very little to enrich a whole lot of "somebody elses". It was all reminiscent of the steps I was told to do to become an artist. Can you really "become" an artist or writer through a series of steps. I DONT THINK SO. But maybe you can and must sell that way.


The agents were all fairly kind but obviously under the gun to get whoever no. 69264 was, through the next shoot so they could earn whatever amount they earn for each writer they get through the process. There were so many, many steps to go through.


Publishing is a complicated business. I got a lot for my money since I walked into a deal that gave me a premium level for half the price , but the hustle was on all the time to spend more money. Even to spend more money to make the books cost less. I did receive good advice. I was able to reserve all the rights of my book for myself. I was able to correct right up to the last amen before the books went to the printer. I felt I met only one agent who didn't care too much if I had a hand in the correcting or not or who didn't care if the correcting process offered to me made any sense. Must have had a chinese philosopher for a father.


I had to fight a little for what I wanted, and decide very fast what it was that I wanted. When my website design was shown to me, I really freaked. It was a mess and I squawked. What a wonderful result I got out of doing that! An agent named Mike Lozada got my corrections done and in when I asked. Loved that guy.

I received another bonus when they offered me a free market expedite which ordinarily would have been a few hundred more. I thought it was intended to get my books out in December before Christmas, but no. They all arrived in early January which was awkward since I had intended them for gifts. I finally sent everyone Christmasy I.O.U.'s. But when the first two books landed on the doorstep I was in a tailspin of happiness. No matter who said what, no matter the outcome, I had done it and the book looked sensational. A good product after a lotta lotta work. Someone said you must feel accomplished, no, but what I really felt was satisfied. I always will.