Thinking about doing some self-publishing, part 1

The world of self-publishing, especially in the digital realm, is an exciting one. Not for what it currently is, but for what it could be. There are some established authors who are doing well in self-publishing. So good, in fact, they hope to get the publishing rights back to some of their traditionally published books because they can make more money doing it on their own. Other established authors are getting together to do the same.

In theory there is a very exciting future ahead for self-publishing, ebooks in particular.

I say "in theory" because I also have some strong reservations about the self-publishing boom, but that's a discussion for another time. Right now I just want to talk about my own foray into that world.

Technically, I've already dabbled in some self-publishing. Pitched Vol. 1 and Pitched Vol. 2 were both self-published, after all. So that's a road I've briefly shuffled along. But that's comics. What about prose?

Well, I know for sure I'll be aiming to self-publish at least one other work, probably before the end of this year. Years ago I wrote a history of Lakehurst, NJ, a tiny Pine Barrens town best known for being the site of the Hindenberg disaster. I think it's a good book with an interesting story to tell -- you've got railroad barons, remote mining villages, iconic dirigibles, and more -- but it's also a very tiny niche, so tiny that even publishers who specialize in local history can't see investing in it. Reasonable enough to me. Can't put out a book without a market.

But if I put it out on my own, well hell, that'll work. It'll work for several reasons. First, with print-on-demand services I can easily cater to the niche interested in the subject matter. Second, I'd make much more doing it on my own than through a small publisher -- and papa gotta feed the family. And third, I'm in a position in my day job to promote directly to the people who would most be interested in the subject matter. After all, as the editor of a small town newspaper I already reach those people week in and week out.

Really, I have every reason to do this on my own rather than through a traditional publisher.

So I will.

That's not why I started writing this post, though. I'll tackle the next bit tomorrow.

Pitched 3?

The answer is yes.

Not ready to make a huge splash or anything, but I've very (very) slowly started getting the gears in motion for a third comic anthology. We've got some stories lined up, some excellent artists, and it's starting to take shape.

So that's fun.

It's been a while

So it's been a little while. Hell, it's been a long while, really.

No, not THAT. I mean since I last wrote. The folks who know me know that in recent years I've tackled project after project after project. From the time I took on editor duties at the now defunct DVDinmypants.com to this holiday season it's been a relentless stream of projects. Four years of Books both published and pending. Anthologies. Articles. Freelance stuff. Music. And lots more.

All while holding down a full-time job, trying to be a good family man, and attempting to have something resembling a social life.

Shortly into the holidays, I finally hit the wall. Hard. I realized I had to take some time off. Since the completion of the fall's Still Secret Project (announcement coming in March), I haven't done even a stitch of writing. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. (Not TOTALLY true; I accepted one freelance project around Christmas because papa got ta eat! But only one, and it was very short.)

I'd taken short breaks before, but never more than a few weeks. They always came with a designated time when I'd get back to work, too. June 11 or August 8 or whatever. A date when I said, "On that day I will sit down and get back to work." This time I told myself I'd get back to it when I got back to it.

So that's what I've done. No rush. No pushing myself.

Now, the itch is starting to ask for a scratch. Projects beckon. Great things await. I have several cool book-related things happening this year, another comic anthology, some awesome announcements, and lots more fun stuff. Makes me excited for 2011.

Yep, I can almost -- almost -- say, "Can't wait to get back to work."