What I'm Working On: Hybrid Author Stuff and Rebranding by @KarynGerrard #SelfPublishing #Changes

One of my first jobs in the mid-eighties was as a Clerical Teacher-Aide at the school Mr. Gerrard taught at. I used an IBM Selectric II. God, I loved it. Even wanted to buy it from the school when we moved. I had interchangeable balls, *snort* I loved the sound of the keys clicking. Barely had to touch it and away it went, typing like a dream. I'd kill for a computer keyboard that worked the same way.

Besides aging myself, why am I tripping down memory lane? Because it's time, after 7 years published, to take stock. Assess goals. Since I spent all of last year writing to fulfill contracts, my indie/self-pubbed stuff suffered. I didn't promote them, never released anything except one re-issue. So I am stepping up my game on the other side of my hybrid writing.

I have uploaded new versions of The Spinster and Mr. Glover, The Governess and the Beast, and Timeless Heart. I have ordered a new cover for My Highlander Cover Model and giving that a new revision. I put both my time travels together as a series called: Heroes of Time Travel Anthology. Made the changes already at the vendors.

I've come to believe that since I have complete control of my indie books, I should keep them updated, not only concerning the front and back matter, but looking for any possible problems. My writing is constantly evolving, my voice should be consistent throughout. Hence the updates. I will be doing my contemporary Xmas story as well.

Also working on a short contemporary romance novella called My Wicked Soul. Here's a tip, never order a cover until you are absolutely sure what you are doing with a story or series. I bought this close to two years ago, thinking I would add it to a contemporary series I already had. Nope. Luckily, I have some photoshop skills and I was able to remove the series name under the title. Instead, I will be using this for a different standalone story. Also working on this. I am using parts from a story that has been returned to me.

So, what about the other side of my hybrid author stuff? You know, *Trad*.

I have no idea.

I have a couple of historicals to re-release and will do so at some point through my own publishing arm.

What about the Hornsby Brothers Series? (historical) Book 1 and 2 are with Kensington Publishing, and I am 2/3's of the way writing book 3. (I am able to release it myself) The cover for book 3 is bought, and the series is on hold for a while. But I will be finishing it, I promise. By the end of the year if all goes well.

We will see what happens. Meanwhile, in this downtime, I'm taking charge and cleaning up my backlist. I have one more book to ask for the rights back from Evernight Publishing, and pretty much all my earlier books (2011-2014) will be back in my hands.

In 2014, I shuddered at the thought of self-publishing. Since then, I have found my happy place. For now, at this particular place in time, hybrid author suits me right down to the ground.

So...I'm Considering Self-Publishing ~by Karyn Gerrard @KarynGerrard #Hybrid

I really thought I never would.

Why?

I am not one who has to be in control of every move I make in the e-book publishing world. I just as soon give that to someone else to do. I'd rather write. Yes, I know its a business, yadda, yadda...but I don't want to spend days on end trying to figure out how to format or searching for stock photos for a cover.
So, that means I would have to sub-contract this stuff out. And that can get expensive. So I thought, initially, I would stick with e-publishers.

Yeah. Well, I have been burned twice already by e-pubs, and to me, that is two times too many. Also, the marketplace has changed so much since I started in the spring of 2011, it doesn't even resemble the same landscape.

E-books have flatlined. There is a major glut of e-books. The price points have been brought so low that what some publishers charge is beyond what an e-book consumer is willing to pay. Thanks to book bundles and self-publishers bringing down the price, there isn't much room anymore for any higher price points. But let's face it, some e-pubs are charging too much. 2.99 for 8000 words? Yikes. 9.99 for a historical romance e-book when I can order the paperback for 6.99? Right.

So, is self-pubbing for me? Not as the main outlet for my ebooks, no. But I will become a Hybrid author in the new year. I am no longer submitting short stories to publishers. In fact, I will hardly be writing any at all, but if and when I do, I will release it myself. I know it is no guarantee of high sales, I have heard from more than one writer that self-pubbing isn't exactly hitting the motherlode.

I am in no hurry, I will take the steps slow. Do the research and due diligence. The majority of what I will be self-pubbing will be books returned to me because the contract is up. And I will be getting them back.
I am also cutting back on submissions since I am now writing at 40,000 words and higher for the most part.
I also refuse to be stressed out over this business. It started as a hobby. It still is in a few ways, because I luckily do not need the money from royalties to live on, so I don't feel compelled to write more than I do or sweat about sales, categories, reviews, promo, Amazon deals etc. Maybe that is not the most business savvy path to take, but it works for me. Keeps me sane.

The way things are going, I don't know how some of the e-pubs will be able to stay in business. Will more be bought up by bigger e-pubs or New York publishers the way Lyrical Press was bought by Kensington Publishing? Its a real possibility. Makes smart business sense.

I have a couple of publishers I submit certain books to, and as long as that relationship remains mutually respectful, I will continue to submit to them. Self-pubbing will be secondary, and you can bet I won't be doing it myself. No thanks.
Sub-contracting here I come.

Any suggestions or recommendations welcome.