Whose Truth will win?

Truth.

This is the moment of truth. So let’s deal in truth. You have chosen to become an indie author. Not often do I listen to the rhetoric or the naysayers out there in the publishing world, but it is time to listen to them, because for them, it is the TRUTH … because only then can we DECIDE—and then DISPLAY, just who we are.

Let’s lay it all on the table today. The complaints we hear about indie authors and their work come from all corners.

Editing. Indie authors don’t have the same level of editing that the “mainstream” publishers provide. We hear it all the time but that is the truth from those who believe it.

Gatekeepers. Anybody can publish a pile of drivel. This IS the TRUTH. It may not be your truth, but it is many reader’s belief and therefore their TRUTH.

Bookstores. You’ll never get your books into bookstores if you self publish. That is their TRUTH.

Now let’s look at your TRUTHs. This is what really matters. At some point, YOU made a DECISION. Or—maybe now is the time for you to make a decision. It is time to come together as a team, as an Indies Unlimited team. You know that the road will be bumpy and the journey long. The path you have chosen is a test. That is YOUR TRUTH. For without this test, what is it worth?

But, the TRUTH of the matter is—as an indie writer/publisher you can share your talents with the world. You can distribute your passion to places traditional publishing wouldn’t dare touch.

That IS your Truth.

You can DECIDE to have your novel professionally edited.

That is your TRUTH.

You can spread the TRUTH about your book through Indies Unlimited, social media, your blog and websites and hundreds of other outlets. You do not need a gatekeeper to determine whether you are good enough. The public will.

That is YOUR truth.

You can have your novels in the biggest bookstores of all—Amazon, Smashwords, B&N online and iStore.

That is YOUR truth.

You can seek out the independent bookstores in your community and see your book on their shelves.

That is YOUR truth.

None of this is easy. It takes determination. It takes a plan. It takes perseverance. It takes a long-range view. It takes an unstoppable attitude—one that deals with the hard knocks and the victories with the same level of excitement.

It takes a focused effort to put forth YOUR TRUTH.

I say bring it on. When people knock our industry and attack our editing, covers or quality. I take that as an attack on me personally. I take it as an attack on Indies Unlimited and its mission to help Indie writers.

Now is our time to prove them wrong. I know that we are the best. It is time to come together as a team. I see it every day as we help each other reach our goals—unselfish in our pursuit to lift others up.

That is our TRUTH. Lets prove to the world that we are the best. That means that we have to edit one extra time, write revisions one extra time, and help our fellow indie writers, one step at a time to prove that we are the best.

That, my friends, is MY TRUTH.

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Jim Devitt is a Contributing Author for Indies Unlimited and the author of the #1 Kindle Bestselling novel, THE CARD, For more information, please see the IU bio page or his blog:  http://jimdevitt.blogspot.com/

 

Author: Jim Devitt

Jim Devitt’s debut YA novel, The Card, hit #1 in three separate categories on the Kindle Bestseller list in early January and was a finalist in the Guys Can Read Indie Author Contest this past summer. Devitt currently lives in Miami, FL with his wife Melissa and their children. Learn more about Jim at his blog and his Amazon author page.

44 thoughts on “Whose Truth will win?”

  6. Well everything that I was told I couldn't achieve as an independent publisher – I've turned those 'No' into my own 'Yes' because at the end of the day – there is always a plan B, C, D or more. And the price is what makes me – yeah, me – happy. And writing books, publishing darn good ones and being thankful for all I've accomplished is what being an Independent Publisher has allowed me. You know what else, the big publishers were small at one time or another.

  9. "You can seek out the independent bookstores in your community and see your book on their shelves."

    I was just reading a blog post from Dean Wesley Smith that is a few days old. (http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=7124) Down in the comments is one I found interesting (DWS's comment from June 14th at 12:10 pm.) This, to me, sounds like something that might mean you could have a chance to get your books into more than just your local store, or at least have the possibility.

    I'm interpreting it when Dean says "publisher" in his comment to include a self-published author who is also, by definition, also the publisher. His mention of Createspace seems to support my interpretation. You'll also note that this is happening without a seal (although I guess they probably won't accept all books, so that is a seal of some kind). Even with a seal you need distribution or would have to cover that yourself some way.

    1. No doubt Big Al, you can definitely get your books in bookstores. I wasn't making the case for not being able to, but stating what the naysayers are saying.

      Thanks for the comments and feedback.

  11. great post, thanks. Its very encouraging, especially to someone who’s working on what feels like a viable wip at present; someone who, like any writer or author at times needs all the encouragement there is.

    1. Keep working on the WIP. Get a schedule and pound it out, it's one of the most rewarding things you can do.

      Congrats and thanks for the comments.

  12. Let's get ready to rumble! I SO love your post! I never listen to the naysayers and no one has permission to kill my joy. I write for me. Like Teddy says, "Comparison is the thief of joy." That is MY truth.

  13. There's truth, and then there are the facts that accompany all endeavours in this field. We all have to bang our heads against the brick wall of facts, statistics and damned lies! (With apologies to Disraeli)

    It's wonderful to have the feelings of being an author, and that's the truth. When one feels compelled to compare one's sales figures with those of comparable writers, one is faced with the facts.

    The hard slog one must undertake to measure one against the other is one such inescapable fact… that it's fun can be true for some.

    1. I agree Rosanne,

      It's tough to not compare sales figures, but the true joy of writing and reading far outweigh those forces. Thanks for the excellent comment.

  18. If you use Createspace for PODs/paperbacks, you can elect to pay $25.00 and then you get extended distribution by Ingram's, etc. It is entirely possible that someone will order a case of your books and stock them on their shelves. Or, you can order your own titles ten or a hundred at a time and do your own legwork, which I don't really recommend as it's time-consuming and expensive.

    1. You are absolutely right, I wasn't trying to make the case that you can't get books into bookstores, we have lots of options and what you have stated is a great one. I know that I've elected for this option with Createspace myself. It has also helped me get into many libraries.

    2. You are absolutely right,we have lots of options and what you have stated is a great one. I know that I've elected for this option with Createspace myself. It has also helped me get into many libraries.

  19. I've heard through my son, a manager with Barnes & Noble, that once you pay the $25 through Createspace or $75 through Lulu, your book will make its way to the Master List that B&N uses. Once that happens, you can go into any B&N and buy a copy of your book! Based on interest and orders, the managers can order your book in bulk and put it right up on the shelf!

    We can combat any and all obstacles we face with enough fire and determination! People just need to get used to the idea that Indies are making a big impact and we're only getting stronger! 🙂

    Excellent post Jim! Keep 'em coming!

  22. I think we are home on the range here–where never was heard a discouraging word. Especially about no comparing your book with any other book or judging by sales. I know my books are valuable. I get gratitude and admiration from my readers.

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