in print in my college alumni magazine. Is this publication success? I'd like to think so,
but how do you measure publication success?
Not as easy as it once was with all the options now out there. Self-published, small press, big six, in-print..
Seeing your book on the bookshelves of the local bookstore, which was once the dream of every aspiring author, may slowly be an impossible goal. Ereaders, smartphones, tablets, who reads a book anymore? Many of us do, and I have been polling all the younger generation I come in contact with, much to my teenage children's horror, on the viability of the printed book. So far the answer is still overwhelmingly--printed book. Maybe they look at me and my wrinkles and think that is the right answer. LOL
But for me, being able to hold a printed edition in my hands is still something I long for and now I can. This past week I was published in an anthology The White Sail available on Amazon!
I've never had anything available on Amazon before and it is a milestone. I need to do an Amazon author page. How cool is that? (baby steps for me, remember?)
Even though the monetary reward is smaller, and the prestige probably not as great as the contest win, this is a big deal to me. Another small step toward my even bigger goal of a book in print. You know the kind you can hold in your hands, and sign with wise words and the flourish of your practiced signature? (Okay, maybe that is only me)
By the way, you can also read my story here "Look Out for Fluffkins" here free. But this in no way diminishes my excitement of the printed anthology :)
Feel free to comment on your small steps toward publication and how you measure success, or anything else you'd like to comment on.
Like you, I long to hold a paper book with my name emblazoned on the front. Last year I wanted to be published. Thank goodness I listened to Sherry Chancellor and submitted a short story that got pubished... and then another one... and I recently sold a third short story. Currently I'm revising a full length, and plan on querying big-time this spring. I might not hold it in my hands this year, but I will sign a contract for a paper novel. That will be my giant step.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it, Sandy! And taking that first submission step is a super milestone and selling is as well. Well done, you.
DeleteI would definitely count those as gigantic steps, if not humongous. Good luck on the road to all your publishing success
ReplyDeleteBaby steps...before deciding to be an author, I got a thrill any time I had a letter to the editor of my local paper printed. I even once had one printed in Self magazine. At least I think it was Self. It was just a line or two and not my greatest "Hey y'all, great job!" line, but it was printed and I thought it was really cool. If I ever get my name on a printed book, you will probably hear my squeal of delight all over the world.
ReplyDeleteMy ears are wide open waiting for your squeals, because I know they are coming. Baby steps baby! Thanks for stopping by, Micki.
DeletePretty cover, Suzanne! Congrats on the release!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Jessi! The cover really is most serendipitous!
DeleteYay. Way to go. And yeah. Holding a print book that you're a part of is amazing. So excited for you.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I can't wait to hold it in my hands. Thanks for stopping by Jillian.
DeleteCongrats on the publication credit, Suzanne! That's awesome! Small steps is the key here. I hope this is only a great start for many more to come in 2013.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too and one of my best steps on this journey was taking your workshop. All the best to you in 2013.
DeleteThat's great, Suzanne! Congrats on your achievement. For me, success is selling books to readers that want to read the next one and the next one - and I don't mind if I achieve that the ebook way or if I hold the pages in my hand. Either way, I'm cool.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! Having loyal readers is a giant step, and one I'll be working on. Thanks for stopping by.
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