Nothing Ventured...

One of these days, I am going to sit down and write a long blog about how much I hate statistics class, but this is not that day.

(The mistake being the fault in taking statistics to begin with)

No, this day is all about trying new things.  Those new things today refer to the self publishing platform Pronoun.  

In previous self publishing endeavors, I have gone through CreateSpace.  Anyone who has wanted to see their words in print has probably at least considered this particular avenue, but having reached a point where the old is growing stale, I decided to branch out.

For those of you who were successful with NaNoWriMo this year, Pronoun was one of the offers.  I decided, what the hell, and signed up.  Now, it has, admittedly, taken me two months to finish, but then, well, that's life.  

Still, with a new platform, I decided to try a new everything.  Rather than the young adult fiction I have been working with on CreateSpace, I decided to throw into the world one of my more unique endeavors.  Death's End (link to come) is about Persephone, a reaper who collects souls for Death.  And I fell away from all the previous constraints about where a plot should start and end, and I'm sure I'll someday be reviewed mercilessly for my endeavor, but it felt so right for this story.  And what better story to share on this new platform than one that is a bit of a non sequitur?

So far, I have nothing but positive things to say about Pronoun.  They very helpfully had guidance for formatting, the process itself was painless, and I love the final product as it stands.  Going forward, who knows, but then:

I've decided to add on a quick note to this particular post.  While it will take me a week to have further updates on how well Pronoun works for me, and realistically even more time than that, I just want to say, again, to anyone out there who is interested, that if all you truly want is to hold your written work in your hands, then I can offer no greater option than Createspace.  I had some issues with cover and formatting when I worked with Lulu when I first started out.  They are set up almost identically, but I tried to shift my Lulu work from hardcover to soft and the images never made the cross.  So, if anyone out there is like me and just wants to hold their "precious", then I suggest going cheap.  Worst case scenario, you can always start from scratch later (which I hope to start in on later in the year as well - updates to follow).  For what it's worth, there is my two cents on the weekend.  Now, off to "creatively write" my research paper.  Ah, school.

*** Spelling corrections courtesy of my mother (who has finally read my blog)

I Have Often Dreamed

I have often dreamed...

The problem with having a blog that comes right out and says it will be a rambling bit of who knows what, is that there will never be solidarity.  I can write about nothing to my heart's content, but what, truly, is the purpose?  I have decided to alter the premise of my blog a little.  I am truly passionate about four things in life, writing, horses, traveling, and sports (largely hockey).  But I have decided that as a struggling artist turned struggling author, I need to make a point of doing what all the know it alls out there say.  I need to write every day.  The problem with this premise is that when I write to tell a story, I write 12-16 hours a day for seven-ten days, and then the book is complete.  It is a compulsion, an obsession, and certainly not something I can break down and give helpful tips for.  But this also means that I can go months without writing until it just bubbles up inside me and bursts.  To try and make the life I lead and the one that goes on in my head more harmonious, I've decided to try blogging as my outlet of writing daily.  And that means having a daily topic, though I think I'll take Sundays off.  Or Mondays, I don't have an overflowing fondness for Mondays.  Chances are, I've completely lost any prosepective readers in my first paragraph, but I'm trying to learn as I go, so I'll just keep on going.

...of a far off place...

When coming up with a reason to self publish, there are really three reasons.  Reason Number 1, you love what you do and you want to share it.  Reason Number 2, you think you can share something and gain an audience.  Reason Number 3, no agent/publisher would take you.  I confess, I'm a bit unmotivated when it comes to finding an agent.  I've had a tiny bit of interest, but never enough to launch my own career, and so I stopped trying.  INstead, I did what I love to do, I continued to write.  Then, I had no ability to write, I am currently suffering the worst case of writer's block I've ever experienced.  Four months and counting.  So with no ohter outlets, and growing pressure from friends, I chose the self publishing route.  I am largely a self published Reason Number 1, with a dose of laziness and Reason Number 3 thrown in.  If you are looking for great insights into the self publishing world, my best suggestion is to either find someone else or stick around for awhile. I am literally learning this all as I go, and my own trials and tribulations might someday be helpful.

...where a big, warm welcome will be waiting for me...

What I have learned so far is simple: Createspace was much easier for me to navigate than Lulu.com, formatting is a pain in the rear, and no matter how much help your friends might be in promoting you, professional help is probably necessary. Having successfully checked off all but the last box, I am currently researching avenues for professional assistance. I am lucky in that my mother was an editor for the government in several avenues, so I don't have to pay for that particular part.  I have had some success with Cover Generator from Createspace, enough that I'm not inclined to go out and pay $500 for a professionally done one.  So that leaves me with the promotional part. 

...where the crowds will cheer...

On my own, I have this blog, one on Createspace, one on Write On by Kindle, as well as a Twitter feed (@blythelea), a Facebook page (L.E. Gibler), and now an Amazon Author page.  All in all, it is a lot of upkeep but so far with very little reward.  Now, I've decided to test paid for services, and I'm leaning towards Self Publisher's Showcase.  I will also, when my budget permits (please note I have six horses), attempt one or two of the Tweet Your Book promotions.  All such experiences will be duly noted here, for whatever purpose it might serve.

...when they see my face...

As one last self promotional bit, if anyone can identify what movie I paraphrased today's song from, message me, and the first correct response will recieve a free copy of Caitiff Acadmey: The Tigress.

...and a voice keeps saying, this is where I am meant to be...

BlytheLea/L.E. Gibler

Live and Let Die

In this ever changing world in which we live in (is that a line from a James Bond film?  I think it is...Live and Let Die), keeping up with the Jones' is near impossible.  I do not have full time internet access in my life.  Every morning may be spent at Starbucks, but that is a close as it gets.  The surface I have just been beginning to scratch when it comes to successful social marketing puts me on the short end of the stick.  

There are several key points that I have quickly come to notice.  1.) A lot of money can be poured into this life dream, but without a guarantee of any payback.  (Note: I do not have a lot of money.  I have a lot of horses) 2.) Social marketing is really an all day affair (See Note about having horses).  3.)There are far more people out there doing something similar to me.  It's downright awe inspiring and a touch depressing.  

And so here we are, well, here I am.  The odds are currently against me, but if there is one thing to learn from trying to attain the unattainable, it is that if you love what you're doing, then you're going to keep doing it.  I have joined no less than three chat groups, NaNoWriMo is just around the corner, and I'm trying to land a full time job.  If I can still squeeze in time to do the two things I love most in this world, then that will be what I determine success by.

In this ever changing world in which we live in, makes you give it a try, say live and let die. (Pretty sure that's not exact, it's paraphrasing.  What are the rules for citations on paraphrasing?  I write fiction, citations aren't really my forte.)

And finally, one last shameless plug for anyone who has made it this far in my blog.

 http://www.amazon.com/Caitiff-Academy-L-E-Gibler-ebook/dp/B00O2EQ8P6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412446036&sr=8-2&keywords=l.e.+gibler

Updates Volume 1

And so another day, another check list that will no doubt prove too long to accomplish in a mere twenty four hours.  

On the bright side, I have been struggling mightily with Lulu.com and the formatting of my cover, complete with the perfect image for my second book, Caitiff Academy: The Tigress.  (Shameless plug?  Maybe)  I switched over to Createspace, and viola.  In a simple morning at Starbucks, the groundwork is already laid, and I'm well on my way to where I want to be.  

I like to consider myself a realist.  I am not looking to publish the next great American novel, or to snag a massive contract, but I absolutely love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with knowing that something I created is out there for the world to see.  Would it hurt my feelings if a lot of people appreciated my work and bought in bulk? Absolutely not, I'm a realist not an idiot.  And no, this time, that was not a plug, just an observation.  I'm not publishing to make money, I'm doing it to feel like I've done something.  And you know what?  It's working.

Now, with November on the horizon, I am positively giddy at the opportunity to continue my new NaNoWriMo tradition and write book #2 in the series in a meager 30 days.  Last year I wrote book one in eight, so I think I should be fine.

As always, feedback is welcome.  Surely there are more people out there in the world with experiences to be shared. Until then, keep rambling on.