As the deadline gets closer for the release of The Young Moon and I’m still behind on promo for Sky Song, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m actually normal in the head. I look at my kids like I don’t know who they are, I put food in the oven that emerges four hours later as an unrecognisable husk, I wash dishes in shampoo, I go shopping in odd shoes. In short, I’m lost in a world where real people have been replaced by book characters. But I don’t mind admitting that, despite all this, I’m having the time of my life.
The decision to self-publish was a long time coming, and part of me thought that it would make me feel like a failure for not having a proper deal (although I was lucky enough to land one for Runners shortly afterwards) but the opposite turned out to be true. Instead of feeling like a failure, right now, I feel like captain of my own ship. I call the shots – I decide what I write, what my deadlines are, how I market my wares. At the moment people seem to like what I do and the feedback is good, I’m productive and full of new ideas. I may not always feel this way, and it doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t still love an agent, but, after years of hiding my stories away, it seems like my writing career has finally begun. This year is already mapped out in terms of releases, until September at the very least, and possibly beyond. And even if no one is reading them, I’m having a ball writing them!
The Young Moon is the second book of the Sky Song trilogy, due to be released for Kindle 8th March 2013.
Sharon Sant 
I’m feeling exactly the same way! Haven’t quite managed to go shopping in odd shoes yet, but odd socks is quite usual for me! I was thinking over a new book idea in Tesco on Saturday and may as well have walked round six times given the amount of things I forgot and had to go back for!
I’m loving self-publishing too. I also thought I’d feel like a failure for doing it, but I really love the control we have and I’d also hidden my writing away for years, and it feels amazing to suddenly have it out there and to be getting good feedback on it! It’s something I never ever thought would happen, and I’m loving every minute of it so far!
The Young Moon cover is gorgeous – love the green of it!
I’m glad I’m not alone in these things 🙂 I think the self publishing thing is a big adventure for a lot of us. I wonder how many others are hoarding manuscripts that never see the light of day?
I totally identify with the new book daze! I can’t tell you times I’ve driven to the wrong place because my head has been full of a new plot!
Thanks for the kind words about the cover too. Not long till your reveal now 😉
Glad to know I’m not alone too! The perils of being a writer!
I’m feeling the insomnia too! The third book in my series is due out in April, and I’m a ball of nerves! You’d think that it would get easier, but I find I’m more and more excited with each new book. : ) Congrats on your upcoming release! The cover is lovely!
Please don’t tell me the nerves get worse! That’s great, April gives me enough time to read your others first! And thanks for your lovely comments on the cover, it’s especially pleasing coming from you 🙂
I love this post. I love how you’re embracing publishing yourself – full of energy and enthusiasm, not some last ditch attempt. For me, I believe it’s a genuine option for writers and I for one can’t wait to read the rest of your books coming out this year. Just try to remember to feed yourself! 🙂
Ha ha, there’s no danger of me not eating! It might be a diet of crisps and cake but I’ll eat!
Thank you for your kind comments and continued support, it really means a lot to me. 🙂