Why I Chose Self-Publishing

My path to being self-published started back in high school, when I first wrote BeSwitched for my own pleasure. After graduation I decided I would try to get it traditionally published, which is usually the first thought of any aspiring author. I sent out part of my book to three or four places. I waited maybe six weeks or so to hear back from each. One of them actually hand wrote a note to me that said it sounded like a good book and to keep trying. That was quite encouraging, since I know that agents and publishers tend to send out the same rejection letters.

Fast forward a couple years later, where I answered an ad for a local author seeking a personal assistant. When I came for my formal interview, she set me in a room alone to watch a video of her giving motivational speeches to thousands of business men and women. It was very exciting to see and added to my nervousness, but I was hired after she interviewed me. Her name was Chin-Ning Chu and had become successful by going down her own path, publishing her book on her own. She was a regular guest on CNN at the time, having been on different shows over twenty times. She was an example to me of how someone can make their own dreams come true. Her first book she ever wrote, she submitted to a publisher, was rejected and in sorrow trashed her work in a garbage can at school. She later was enlightened to set her own course... and look at the difference it made.

Now, if you think about it, having only submitted a manuscript to a few publishers was hardly an effort on my part for getting traditionally published. But after working for Chin-Ning, I didn't really have the desire anymore of going down the traditional route. I had a new perspective that I could be successful on my own, if I have a good work ethic and a valuable product. After I worked for her, I ordered my first print run of 1,000 books, I sent out press releases, visited schools, gave assembly presentations, talked at a library and sold all my copies in a matter of months. I was making my dreams come true.

Next on my list was getting into Barnes and Noble's physical book stores. They have a "Small Press Buying Department," which will consider professional works from small presses if the publisher can convince them of the appeal and company's marketing plan. On top of this, B&N wanted someone who had a budget to be able to fulfill orders for books across their stores--which would have been very, very, very expensive! That expense killed that plan.

A few years went by and I moved out of state with my husband, gave birth to twins and settled down as a little family. I put my author dreams on hold. (Having a family is the greatest joy of my life, and will always be, however. Just had to add that!) When I wanted to publish again, I wasn't sure where to turn. Until... one of my brothers mentioned ebooks. Ebooks didn't seem like a viable answer for me at the time, but the thought kept coming back to me over and over. A year went by, and I was getting an itch to re-market myself and to write again. So, I made a goal on my white board--"Research Ebooks." I did and was surprised. I found out people were successful going down this route. And, to top it off, I was reading that smaller novels or novellas were a successful format for readers to devour. BeSwitched is 138 pages and BeSwitched Witch is 150. Traditional publishers didn't want to risk promoting anything that small from a new author anyway. The pieces were coming together.

I re-released BeSwitched in October and haven't turned back. Now BeSwitched Witch is out, along with other books from my company Breezy Reads (breezyreads.com). Blog touring and learning what I can about Internet Marketing in general is what keeps me motivated that one day my dreaming big will bring forth the desired fruit of my labors. So, it was an accumulation of reasons that brought me to this point in my writing career... and I am having so much fun while I am at it.

*Picture (top) Me after giving a school assembly. Picture (bottom) My first book cover for BeSwitched.

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Something Unexpected From My Former Employer, Author Chin-Ning Chu

I used to work as a personal assistant to Chin-Ning Chu, who was an international best-selling author. She was a guest on CNN and other channels many times, giving mostly business and political advice on Western relations with the East. Some of her books include: Thick Face, Black Heart; Do Less, Achieve More; and Working Woman's Art of War.

This lady was very focused and driven. She started out self published and was such a success on her own that she caught the attention of The Sacramento Bee, then The London Financial Times, then major traditional publishers. I ended up moving onto my own adventures after a year of working with her, because of the immense pressure I felt. I could have learned so much more if I was able to stick it out, but I was so intimidated and exhausted from the experience that I even had nightmares that she was coming after me in a canoe, followed by an army wearing traditional triangular hats.

So, while Googling my name today for the heck of it (haven't we all?), I found Chin-Ning had promoted me on her website. After I left my job position with her, I self published and spoke at a dozen different school assemblies as an author. She apparently found out about it from a local newspaper. I was really touched by finding this out. I'll explain further--I leasrned Chin-Ning passed away not too long ago from Cancer. I had always had this odd fantasy that one day, when she was old, I would feed her soup at her bedside. Although, I could not handle the pressure of working alongside her demanding schedule, I wanted to one day treat her like a cherished, long lost mother or grandmother.

Life is strange at times and can really surprise you. I was surprised and thankful that she had a place in her heart for my accomplishments, just as I had a place in my heart to care for her one day. She was an amazing, beautiful, independent woman and author.

Here's the link to her webpage. I'm #58 on her news list:
http://chu.iprx.com/index.php/press/

Finished BeSwitched Witch and I am in Love.

I spent the last three months writing BeSwitched Witch and I am in love with it. I hope that does not come across weird like I am prideful. I think it is important that writers love their work. I believe that if I am head over heels for my own work, instead of having good reasons to doubt it, then there will be others who will fall head over heels.

I am in love with characters, scenes and humor. There are some lines in BeSwitched Witch that I have memorized, because they are seared into my mind. I admit that I have gotten misty-eyed over a character's quote in this book and I have laughed out loud at another character's quote. I can imagine Lake Sequoia, Idis's living room, the Morreaus' gothic decor...

I don't know what it is about the main romantic interest in my teen books, but like the main girl in my books, I tend to fall for the made-up guy. Maybe it is because the guy has that certain hair, smile, personality that I love. Jax Morreau is a hottie... just sayin' ;)

Fun obsession. I look forward to writing the next in the series, Royally BeSwitched.

THE TEENAGE GIRL STILL IN ME

Here I am today, 30 years old. At times, I feel like the character Jennifer Garner plays in the movie 13 Going on 30, because I feel like I still have a shy, awkward, teenage version of me lurking somewhere inside my body. Actually, I know she does, because she manifests herself, often unannounced and at the worst moments.

I spent my high school years feeling a little off, a little too tall, too skinny, too many things. Because of this, I forced myself into positions where I had no choice but to face my fears. I signed up for acting classes just to prove to myself that I could be confident. I think my teacher often asked herself, What is this girl doing in my class? Instead of appearing confident, what happened most of the time? It showcased my unease; it  negatively affected my acting. My teacher, in her confusion and frustration, barked at me once: "Make friends!" If you're a shy teenager, you know that worsens the situation. I just wasn't as outgoing as the others.

Here is a grand example of how my shyness affected my acting—I was given one line to speak in a play. There was only one other girl who had one line out of the whole class. What did I do when it was my turn to speak? I spoke her line! Not my own! It didn't matter how many times I practiced my ONE line. Wow, right? I know.

So, today, as a 30 year old, I still find these moments creep up, where I feel out of place and shy. It doesn't matter how many times I have faced my fears, this shy girl will come out sometimes and say, think, or do the darndest things that embarrass the heck out of me.

Looking back, I appreciate the fact that as a teenager I stepped out of my comfort zone and took acting classes. The more we put ourselves out there, the easier it gets. What happened after graduation? I got the lead role in a community play.

Through all of these experiences, I can come to one conclusion: That teenage girl will never leave and I should embrace her and all her dorky and awkward little quarks. I think those who know me best can appreciate these characteristics as well.

Hanson

My readers are mostly teen girls. I am sharing pics of members of a band that I was crazy about as a teen. I finally got to see them in concert: Zac, Taylor and Isaac Hanson. What am I saying? I'm still crazy about this band.