Aloneness v. Publishing

Most writers I know (myself included) are pretty much a bunch of introverts. On those days when the words are flowing, what better place can there be but in front of a computer, or sitting alone outside with a notebook and pen? It's almost like a runner's high. (Of course there's the other extreme, when the words don't come and it would be less excruciating watching infomercials on TV, but I'll save that topic for another time.) Then comes the euphoric day when you finish your manuscript and type "The End." Now here's the part where nightmares are born - publishing. (Let's pretend you've already done a number of rewrites and you feel that you're ready to go.) Do I need an agent, or go straight to the publisher? Even though I'm an unknown, do I start at the top and work my way down, or start with the mid-sized publishers where I might stand a better chance? What about self publishing and print-on-demand? Simultaneous submissions even though the guidelines say no? All good and fair questions for which the only answer I have is to do what you're most comfortable doing. If you scour the Internet, you'll be able to find whatever answer you're looking for.

One thing that I've been told again and again and again is that even before your book is published, you've got to get your name out there. Start a website.(√) Get a MySpace page.(√) Get a Facebook page.(√) Start a blog. (Hey, you're reading this.) Okay, I've just bared my soul to billions of people. Not too bad because I've convinced myself that out of those billions, only a few friends are ever going to see it.

"Now you've got to network. Go to conventions and introduce yourself." Yeah, right.

Around friends and people I know, I can be as gregarious as Santa at the mall a week before Christmas. Around strangers? "Call security. I don't like the way that guy sitting in the corner is staring at me." I don't do well around strangers, people! I've been to conventions. I've seen the crowds around authors and editors. It's like they've got their own entourage. God bless those writers who can push past their own inhibitions and insecurities and dive right in and introduce themselves. That ain't me. Then there are the writers who have a couple of drinks first, then feel comfortable enough to join the crowd. I wish I could. I'd walk up to the editor, extend my hand, introduce myself, then throw up on his/her shoes. On the plus side, at least they'd remember me.

As an introverted, and probably insecure, writer (don't they go hand-in-hand?) you must be creative. Hey, if you've completed a novel, guess what? You're creative. Send that editor who you threw up on a new pair of shoes with your manuscript rolled up and shoved inside (don't forget to think ahead - try and find out their shoe size without giving them advanced warning). Or when you send them a query - "You remember me. I'm the guy you had thrown out of the bar because of the way I looked at you. If that scared you, wait until you read this." (Probably works best if you've written a horror novel.) In other words - get their attention. Like they say about publicity, there ain't no such thing as bad.

Coming up from the ice age

This is my first blog and I expect that it's going to be lame. I accept that. I'm a fiction writer for God sakes. I make up lies. So this honesty thing is going to be a stretch. With that in mind, here's a little slice of myself . . . honestly.

In a month or two I'm going to have my first book come out called Edging Past Reality. It's a wonderful collection (if I do say so myself - which I do) of horror and speculative fiction short stories.

I've had some success publishing stories in the small press (a few of my favorites will be reprinted in the book) and the idea of marketing (other than "hey you - buy this magazine") never occurred to me. Now with a book on the way, it seems I've had to think marketing more than publishing.

I grew up in a world of passing out bookmarks and postcards with a picture of your book on them, tromping to bookstores to try and sell your soul (oops - I mean book), setting up readings and signings, etc, thinking "one day that'll be me." Then I wake up (or was I kicked in the head?) to find out that's obsolete. Now one can do much better on the Internet. Huh?

A whole new world opened up - blogging, on-line interviews, virtual touring, and the list goes on. I've spent the last few days not writing (shame on me) but discovering an endless amount of information on the net. I've met some wonderful and helpful people (thank you very much) and read some amazing blogs and discovered some wonderful sites.

As time progresses I hope to share my findings, swap nightmares and successes, and give my two cents worth (probably a lot of ranting). So buckle up folks - I'm just gettin' started.