Blogs

About a year into writing my memoir, black and (A)broad: traveling beyond the limitations of identity (available on Amazon as ofSeptember 1, 2010), I decided to travel the road of independent publishing. Notwilling to play the traditional game of sending hundreds of query letters toacquisitions editors who don’t have the time to acknowledge that they’ve evenreceived them, I chose to invest my time and fragile pride into a moreproductive enterprise: saying what I wanted to say in my own voice and on myown terms.

A fellow writer warned me that if I took this route, I would ruin my credibility as a writer. “No major publishing house will ever sign youif you self-publish. You’ll stigmatize yourself as an author.” Realizing thatthere might be some truth in her admonition, I forged on and in the processlearned a helluva lot. In this five-part post, I want to share what I know tobe the five essential I’s of independent publishing: investment, identity,involvement, innovation and inspiration.

This week’s topic is investment.

I wanted to be taken seriously as an author, so my first step was to take myself seriously. I did this by investing time as well asmoney. I made the time to ask and answer these essential questions: did Ibelieve in my writing talent? was I passionate about my idea? was I willing towrite (for years if necessary) without being paid? was I willing to write abook knowing that I may sell it only to my close friends and family? was Iwilling to revise my work until I was satisfied that my message was clear?

Yes, I’ve also invested quite a bit of money, which I earned through my side gig as a freelance translator, proofreader and editor. Whatbetter way to invest every cent of my earnings than in my own project? If Iwanted my potential audience to reciprocate,yes""> I had to releas a quality book. Here’s the breakdown of mymajor investments in euros:

650 for a professional writing mentor (www.joparfitt.com) She’s brilliant, by the way.

400 to commission a professional artist to design my book cover.

600 for marketing (media releases, keyword optimization on blog, branding)

750 for professional layout of book cover and internal pages

150 set-up fee on Lightning Source

300 to cater upcoming launch party

300 for press shots (Natalie Carstens at www.tigscreations.com made me look stunning)

That’s not counting the countless hours of writing.

So far, my time investment has paid off. I’ve accomplished what hundreds of thousands of writers have not: I’ve written a book on a topicthat I’m passionate about. I’ve controlled every aspect of my own creative lifefrom determining when it will be published (September 1, 2010 on Amazon) to itstitle (black and (A)broad: traveling beyond the limits of identity) to itscover to its contents. More importantly, I can say, with my chest out and mychin up, that I’m an author.

Whether or not the financial investment pays off remains to be seen. In the meantime, come back next week for part two of the fiveessential I’s of independent publishing: identity.

check out my blog http://www.blackandabroad.com