News - Good and Sad

                

Since moving to our lovely new home last month, I've had some time to ponder where I want my writing career to go.  Well, a lot of time really. As I'm only doing relief work at the moment and not many in the community know me yet, I'm spending a lot more time than I'd like gazing out the window and worrying about the fate of the Western Force or trying not to eat chocolate.  Yes, I could be writing.  I know I have stories to finish but the urge just isn't there.

Anyway, after much soul searching I've decided that I want to be a truly Independent Author - especially after doing it all myself with The Taming of the Bastard. So, I've cut all ties with my lovely Publisher Tim from Night Publishing who released Perhaps... Perhaps, the book that sort of started it all and with Fontaine Press of WA, who currently hold the reins on Heart of Glass. By the way, If youre looking for some really good reads pop over to Night Publishing.  Some of my favourite recent reads are stable mates of mine. (or were)

Obviously, the main reason for this decision is monetary.  I'm starting to make a small living from writing now and want to be in charge of my own pricing and reaping as much of the rewards as I can for my work.  I have found, too, organisation freak that I am, that I enjoy the process of cover design and giving out work to beta readers - I like that I dont have to take suggestions on board if I dont want but that my readers are people who really love my work and are keen to be a part of it. They see characters in a way I had never intended, which is good - It gives me scope for change. And they are ultimately the girls who buy my books. For this reason, I dont want an editor who may/may not be sympathetic to my work, even though he/she says they love chick lit - not that either of mine were anything like that - and I most certainly dont want to be told to make it funnier, sadder, gritter etc because it will 'fit the genre.'  I write the way I do because each story demands it.  Some are humorous, some are sad.  I'm not going to change them.

So, from July 1st, I'm in at the deep end.  No more hand holding.  I am an independent author.  Eeek!