www.SouthernSassPublishingAlliances.com
.by Guest Blogger Crystal Klimavicz
Indie Books Unleashed! It would be an understatement to say that a chasm exists in our nation today, one that divides not only political parties but genders, races, classes, and more. You can’t read a magazine, visit social media, or go to the grocery store without getting someone’s opinion. Just this morning, I overheard this at the gym: “Well, I’ve lived through two Bush and two Obama administrations, and the only thing that changed was my healthcare. Beyond that, life has pretty much stayed the same.” Regardless of the ‘truth’ to this opinion, the reality is that the political arena is, for the most part, fought on a much larger scale than the individual worlds in which we live. And in my little world, I saw a chasm that was equally as great, one that exists between the world of traditional publishing and those of the self-published. It is a divide that prompted me to facilitate a change and start something new to make a difference. Of course, there are the traditional publishing houses and the smaller publishers that have cropped up to meet demand. They may argue that there is an inherent gatekeeper to the system through the agents and editors -- people who ensure a level of professionalism -- within the process. Some may even say that self-published authors circumvent this gate and promote books of ‘unequal’ quality to go to print. For the record, the J.K. Rowlings, Margaret Atwoods, and Stephen Kings of the world make publishing a book the old-fashioned way look far too easy. Yet even many of them received rejections on their work. Agatha Christie was rejected for five years before landing a publishing deal and Louis L’Amour received 200 rejections letters before Bantam accepted him. Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell was rejected 38 times and has since sold over 20 million copies. So, what about those people who don’t make it that far? Though the traditional system may weed out some bad books from the good, I would argue that only sometimes is that true. There are wonderful, life-changing, and inspiring novels written by talented people who for whatever reason choose to self-publish, perhaps because of their age, their goals, or perhaps even a belief in themselves. Sylvia Plath, whose talented mind was demise, once wrote, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” Fade in Indie Books Unleashed, a brand, new program with a simple, fun concept: Help authors get their books into new markets, into the hands of new readers, and get those coveted online book reviews. This unique program circumvents the traditional methods of book distribution and promotes name recognition for the authors and the businesses who agree to ‘house’ their books. If you have a book in print that you have self-published, join us today at www.IndieBooksUnleashed.com. And, if you are a lover of books and would like your shop, office, or café anywhere nationwide to be a participating location in the Indie Books Unleashed program, inquire at info@IndieBooksUnleashed.com. Crystal Klimavicz is an author, instructor, and entrepreneur with a passion for the written word. She loves creating stories that inspire thought and change, as much as she enjoys helping others learn how to write their own. Her three books include Falling Through Trees and This Side of Perfect in women's fiction, as well as a historical memoir collection entitled The Days of Not So Long Ago. You can read more at www.CrystalKlimavicz.com. Her most recent endeavor is the exciting launch of Indie Books Unleashed, LLC. IBU is a program for self-published authors that helps get their books out into new markets, in readers' hands, and gets those books read and reviewed. Real-world discoverability for indie writers! Check out www.IndieBooksUnleashed.com for more details and to join. When Crystal is not writing, she is often playing card games with her two children (and getting beat), or heading out for a run around the beautiful island where they live near Charleston, South Carolina.
2 Comments
Sandy Richardson
2/23/2017 11:29:35
Thank you, Crystal, for the work you do to support ALL authors. Best of luck with Indie Books Unleashed!
Reply
2/24/2017 07:10:34
Thank you, Sandy!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
|