A Self-Publishing Journey: The Beginning

Like many others, I believed the stigma that self-publishing was second rate. That it was for books that traditional publishers wouldn't publish. I believed that it was not as good as being published traditionally because isn't that the goal of most every writer? For someone to read your book and validate your hard work and lovable characters?

But if that is the goal then self-publishing can fulfill that goal and put you more in control of your dream of being a published author. I'm coming to terms with the fact that self-publishing does not mean failure. You can be very successful as a self-published author, but you will only be as successful as you want to be. I have decided that 2017 is the year I stop holding back. The year I finally publish something.

In 2017 I want to:

1. Establish my reader base by blogging at least once a week.

2. Publish at least one short story.

3. Publish at least one novel.

I am completely new to the world of self-publishing since I had decided long ago it wasn't for me. Never say never, huh? You'll end up living in the neighborhood you said you'd never live in doing things you never said you'd do, but that's a story for another time.
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Do you long to write a novel and actually finish it? Have you already finished a novel and want to publish it but you're not really sure what to do next? Are you thinking about self-publishing, but don't know where to start? Then this is the place for you!

I'm going to track my progress from idea to published work and I'm going to blog about it every step of the way.

Step one is to tell everyone I know (and even some I don't) what I'm planning for the new year. I've participated in NaNoWriMo enough times to know that if you tell people what you are doing, it holds you accountable. Admitting defeat to those people is never a fun experience. You'll be even more successful if you brag about your plans to someone you compete with, someone who dislikes you, because they'll be sure to keep on you about it. Those people want to see you fail, so do your best to disappoint them. And remember to tell people who love you what you are doing too because you are going to need their words of encouragement sooner than you think.

So if you want to follow me on my journey, please do! Keep me accountable. If you want to join me on my journey either by using my writing goals, or setting your own, then right on! Let's do this thing together!

Sign up for my mailing list so you can follow along every step of the way. And don't forget to join me next week for Step Two: Outlining Our Plan of Action.

What are your goals for the upcoming year? Are you planning on writing the great American novel? Do you want to publish but just haven't found the right place for your work? Are you nervous about sending your baby out into the world? It's OK to admit it, I am too. I'd love to hear from you in the comments!