The nice thing about daydreaming

[gurdonark]

As I examine all these self-publishing options, in hope of publishing my meager musings from the nanowrimo.org novel-writing contest, I love the sense of endless vistas. Everywhere I look, a new hyperlink turns up with yet another set of potential publishing options, or yet another set of comparisons of various of the businesses which make up this market. I get a real charge from the sense that a universe of creativity and craft is just one mouse click away. I review gossamer websites about celestial dreams--shall I publish? shall I be read? shall I hold a moonbeam in my hand? It's all like some great Broadway musical, and my hastily jotted bit of whimsy is suddenly Mary Martin. I even have a bit of legal training, so I can pore through the form contracts, noting particularly unfavorable clauses, and
comprehending slightly rights and termination clauses. In my mind, I am a mogul.

Deep down, though, I know the realities of this sort of thing. I write as a hobby, because it is fun to do so.
I do not expect to be read by many, and am always grateful when I am read by an appreciative few. Self-published books en masse sell fewer copies per book published than the cost of production per book, with a very few titles breaking this rule, just as a few telemarketers probably do make a good wage.

So I can enjoy my daydream--the notion of the feel of the book in my hand, the idea of being listed on Amazon.com, which always seems something of a pinnacle to me, for no really good reason. But I can also enjoy knowing about myself that I enjoy my dreams, and still live in a more pragmatic world. Accordingly, I'll do something appropriately inexpensive, as all hobbies should be, and either post my book on a website or esite or get it printed up extremely cheaply one way or another. But although I know this "yes, I am sensible" thing about myself, I still just love daydreaming about publishing options and exchanging my book on nervousness and setting up websites and selling the book and all this stuff.

But really, what do I want? I don't want all that much, actually, and on this hobby project, I can achieve a readable book in a workable format in a reasonably priced way. But it sure is fun to daydream about little companies with big fancy names, and e mails from people I don't even know, saying "I read your book".

I'm a few hours from my holiday's beginning, after a week of intense depositions, intriguing negotiations and too many late night flights. I've got a Trollope novel and the fourth Harry Potter book in mid-stream (both excellent), and the weather has settled into a nice very chilly but not cold ambience. I'm ready, yes I am. I'm ready for some time off.

Comments

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

Here's to simple daydreams. And long weekends! Yeah!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I wish you the jolliest long weekend of simple daydreams!

Re:

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That made me smile. See: :)

[kenmora.livejournal.com]

Self-published books en masse sell fewer copies per book published than the cost of production per book...Accordingly, I'll do something appropriately inexpensive...

I say splurge a little bit, sure you're not going to make money, but what if you went a little beyond the cheaper routes and could hold in your hand a hard-bound and jacketed version of your work? Maybe you'd even pay an editor to go over your final draft and tidy things up a bit. I'm not saying spend a fortune or anything, but wouldn't it be a trip, just to see what the process and the results feel like? And every once in a while you'd be able to look up on the shelf, and see the spine of your book in all its bold pretense, and smile.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

You make some really good points, even though, like all self-obsessed people, I am worry that a good editor would wisely edit all the "me" out of my book. I have had this mental debate in my mind since, oh, let's see, 11/1 or so. My plans change every time, but usually hover in a field between "get kenmora to do me a digicover and epublish" "get kenmora to do me a cover for a real paperback and print on demand publish. The POD resources are remarkably inexpensive up front, and a few of them are even workable on the "back end" as well.
Full old-fashioned publishing with a "full" print run is a bit prohibitive, but there are a range of options. A big part of me hates to spend money on fun, as fun should always be nearly free, but another part of me aspires to the book you describe. I'm fairly sure I'll find a way to make me happy, either way! Thanks for the advice.

[kenmora.livejournal.com]

a good editor would wisely edit all the "me" out of my book...

Always a danger, but then you can always "cherry pick" from the editor's suggestions since you're self publishing.

In any case you can count on a kenmora cover!

apology

[salaryman.livejournal.com]

Sorry I made fun of National Novel month in my journal. That was pricky and I apologize (in first person no less.)

It is the unlikely outcomes that fuel romantics; there's no sport in trying something that's assured success.

Hope you find a warm reception for your novel, and, Happy Thanksgiving.


S.

With 45 days you get War and Peace, in 7 Gravity's Rainbow

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I didn't, and wouldn't, take offense. One of the things I like about nanowrimo is its very absurdity.
I don't think you should worry, though I appreciate your kindness in offering to apologize. I personally think that nanowrimo is a silly thing to do myself.
That's precisely why I did it.

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

Even John Grisham had to start somewhere-- who knows??

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Exactly! :). If I remember right, his first novel was self-published as well!

Re:

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

There you go-- and he was a lawyer too.... first thing to ask though-- is where's your movie treatment?

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

That's funny. I do have a friend who used to produce grade Z films--he now is the president of www.charlesatlas.com. It was funny seeing the A & E Charles Atlas bio show, when my friend, the Grade Z monster movie guy, was suddenly the recognized authority on the incredible Mr. Atlas.

Re:

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

That is mondo bizarro.

[laruth.livejournal.com]

I write as a hobby, because it is fun to do so.

Exactly. Sometimes I wonder, if you (in the general sense of 'you') write full time, would it still be as enjoyable?

It's great (and fun) having dreams.

Here's to dreams, and the making of dreams into reality!

[mouchette.livejournal.com]

... but don't be too modest. You may end up the next best seller!

(hello again).

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Hi--glad to see you here again!