Miscellaneous and Sundries.

[naomi_jay]

Points of Interest:

It's October 13th! Which means there are still eighteen days to sign up for Anti-Nano, if you haven't already joined my fledgling cult. And you should totally join - there might be cupcakes! You can certainly never rule out the possibility, anyway.

My friend laburton has re-released her urban fantasy novel, STORM OF MAGICK on Smashwords (and I believe the Kindle release is imminent). You should check it out.

In other news, I have A Plan to rid myself of my horrible job and start a new life at a cocktail bar in the tropics somewhere less teeth-achingly stressful. Part of this plan involves writing lots of novellas and publishing them on the Kindle to make some pocket money. I know! I'm backtracking. I do think there's a lot of potential pitfalls involved in self-publishing, and I do find the "We'll show them all!" attitude of a lot of self-pubbers towards those of us working towards traditional publishing tedious. I still believe everything I said back in August about why I want to write and what I want from my writing career. I don't think traditional publishing is dead, and I still believe I have a shot at the agent-publisher-bookshop dream, despite a ... down-turn on the agent front recently. 

That said, I want to change my life. My job makes me deeply unhappy and I can't afford to just quit, sadly. But I had this epiphany on Monday morning whilst stuck in traffic on the way to my horrible job: There's something I can do about it.

I can write and put what I write on Amazon and see what happens. I'll still be writing novels for small presses and with the intent to submit to agents. That part of my plan will never change; I believe wholeheartedly in my dream. But if I can make enough money self-publishing to go part-time next year ... well, I need that. I need to change something or I'm going to fall apart. I'm prepared to take a few risks in order to change my situation now, something I've been afraid of doing in the past. I shouldn't be afraid. I should be brave. This is me being brave and taking a risk. 

(Actually, trying to make head or tail of Amazon's Kindle guide is taking a risk. An FAQ should not have subfolders and videos. Just saying okay?)

I had a very useful conversation with nathreee  recently that helped me clarify my thoughts on this matter and pushed me to make a decision. I've always said that I don't think it has to be "either or" when it comes to self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and I think I'm a good enough and self-aware enough writer to do this the right way. So that's that. Watch this space. This may lead to my Paranormal Romance Secret Identity being revealed, but more details when I have something worth discussing in details.

The other part of my plan is to step up the job hunt, because whatever happens I need to get away from the Institute. I applied for two jobs today. Surely if I just keep applying, something will eventually come through, right?

Anyway, this post went a bit off-topic. I'll leave you with this message from our Anti-Nano sponsor:

Comments

[mermaiden.livejournal.com]

This post was made of win, and you're awesome, and I just wanted you to know that. :) <3

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Some of your recent posts have been reslly inspirational to me, so you're awesome too :)

[spiderling.livejournal.com]

I say go for it! But I am unemployed and perhaps not the person to take advce from. BUT I do write and I'm totally having a go at the book thing too :)

And if you figure out the Kindle thing let me know! I want to put up a collection of my flash fiction.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

I will do! I'm assuming it can't be as complicated as the Kindle FAQ makes it appear... I'll keep you updated!

[yolandasfetsos.livejournal.com]

Very interesting post indeed! I think it's awesome that you have a plan. So, go for it. I don't mean to be nosey, but um, you're no longer with your agent? Good luck on the job hunting, too.

And I'm with you on the agent-publisher-bookshop dream. Never give up, I say!

PS. I still haven't decided if I'm going to take part in NaNo or anti-Nano. lmao.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Come to Anti-Nano! Think of the potential cupcakes ^_^

Yeah, unfortunately my agent had to give up agenting. She works mostly as an editor, and the demands on her time just became too great. It's sad, but I'm trying to use it as an opportunity to ... well, kick myself in the arse a bit and get motivated, I suppose!