The decision was easy.I wrote The 11th Percent (and began its sequel as well) in 2011. Upon completion, I diligently searched for a home for it through traditional publishing.
No dice. I heard it all: "While very interesting, we're afraid that it doesn't quite fit our list." "We don't think this is a good fit for us, despite its poise and polish." "I read this with great interest, but it's not a good fit for me. With the economic downturn, we must be very subjective about we decide to include in our inventory..." I lost count of how many times I saw that the main reason I was being shot down was because I wasn't a good fit. In other words, my vision didn't mesh with the cookie cutters? That's fine! Truth be told, I never really "fit in" with traditions anyway. Not really. Which is why my own personal discovery of independent publishing has turned out to be one of the greatest things ever!
It almost seems like the indies were tailor made for my soul. It was just so refreshing to see deviations from the formulaic, "safe" material that dominates the market now. It's a practical smorgasbord of talent, originality, and dream chasing...not to mention a great many people whose projects, like mine, didn't fit anywhere else, yet chose to do it themselves and not only matched but exceeded expectations. I want to share my dream, my vision, with the world. Maybe there are people out there who like ghost stories. Maybe there are people out there who have a mind just as unconventional as mine. Maybe my work will reach people who have unresolved grief and want to channel it through creativity and imagination, like I did. The pool of inspiration, skill, and support is infinite. Why independent publishing? Why not? |