This is my last regular post on the New Kid’s blog, a bittersweet moment. It seems like years ago when I first agreed to a recurring weekly blog for the site. At the time, I was actively seeking a writing career, learning to juggle re-entry into the workforce with a pursuit of publication, and bemoaning a rapidly changing industry which at times left me dizzy.

A lot has happened since then.

I decided not to wait for my ship to arrive in the "publication port" and instead put on my swimmies so I could paddle out to meet it. As soon as I did, an editor expressed interest in one of my books. Go figure. As is often the case, we give up on a dream only to have it appear as an option when we no longer want it.

Last month I dove into the deep end without a life preserver and indie published a romantic suspense novel that had been gathering dust for a couple of years. It needed a few tweaks…okay, it needed a LOT of tweaks, but I put it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords just to see what would happen. Since I had little faith in the indie publishing process, I priced it at 99 cents.

Voila! Presto! Abracadabra! Just like that, I started eating my words which tasted suspiciously like crow. My “experiment” has been ranked in the top 50 titles of romantic suspense on Amazon for the past several weeks.

Thus started the fever. It reminded me of when I host a garage sale and run out of things to sell. I suddenly become less attached to my belongings, making a frenzied dash through the house grabbing anything not nailed down so I can slap a price tag on it, which is usually the same things I couldn't part with the night before.

The same phenomena occurred as my sales began to surge with Stone Cold Justice. I dug out another romantic suspense title which I had earmarked for Harlequin Intrigue, certain they would want it when romantic suspense stopped being a “dead” genre. A genre that readers no longer wanted. A genre that agents can’t sell to publishers unless you are already an established author with a following. A genre that an agent told me three months ago would come back in a few years.

Guess what? It’s back.

So I grudgingly listed my coveted title, Blood Storm, on the same three sites. But because I love the book so much, I couldn’t bring myself to price it at 99 cents. I listed it at $3.99. Wow! It’s selling. And what’s really cool is I’m earning more with less sales because of higher royalty percentages. Between the two books, I will see a respectable four figure royalty check for the month of December. After only six weeks on the market, I couldn't be more pleased.

Which brings me to the conundrum of my story. I’ve written a paranormal suspense and a well known digital press editor has expressed interest. Not mildly interested, but INTERESTED. I dreamed of this day for years. However, now I find myself enjoying the control I have over my work. I’m not so eager to give that up. I’ll earn more money this month than some debut authors will earn on a first advance with no hopes of seeing a dime in royalites.

Admittedly, many indie authors will not be so blessed. To succeed as an indie, you must be comfortable wearing many hats and willing to learn the ropes while standing on the brink of panic.

So for now, I’m indie published and proud of it. Would I like to break into the Big Six? You betcha. But it will be a lot easier for them to take a risk if I’ve acquired a level of success before knocking on their doors again. Who knows? I'm beginning to think the industry is changing so fast that all the rules are obsolete. We're all trudging through new territory and blazing trails as we go.

Thanks for following me on New Kids during the past year. Stop by my blog at DebSanders.wordpress.com and say hi from time to time. Until then, BICHOK!

Deb Sanders
Stone Cold Justice and Blood Storm, now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords

In this day and age of political correctness, it pains me to say Happy Holidays. What’s wrong with Merry Christmas? I’m not offended if someone celebrates Hanukah, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Imbolc or any other religious/ethnic day of recognition. I’m not offended by agnostics or atheists. Why should someone be offended if I choose to celebrate Christmas?

It seems to me that too many people occupy too much time with too many things that are of too little importance.

We should all adopt a spirit of giving, helping others, becoming more understanding and less critical. Once we stop expecting things from others they can’t give, it allows us to appreciate what they have to offer. A good philosophy to embrace 365 days of the year, not just during a time of ritualistic celebration.

So please don’t turn away when I say “Merry Christmas”. I offer it with love in my heart – no matter what your belief system. And if you still feel snubbed, put upon, offended, discriminated against, disgusted by my callous disregard for your feelings or my obvious insensitivity, then I have but one thing to say . . . “Bah! Humbug!”

Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season.

Deb Sanders

What am I looking for in 2012?

I wish to be healthy. For me, that's a few fewer pounds than right now (although I've already lost thirty) and have a stronger, more fit body.

I wish to be happy. Now, that's harder to define, but I guess it's the whole, I'll know it when I see it. And the only way to get there is to stay on the positive side of life. (Or as my friends would say, stay naive Lynn.)

I wish to be a published book author. I love my short stories, and I'm grateful for the contracts. I want my stories to have a wider audience and be able to tell my character's stories.

I wish to love. Love my husband, my son and his wife, my relatives, and my friends. Each has brought so much to my life, and I'm grateful for all of you.

I'll be spending time with friends and family this holiday season, so I'll miss my last blog day. I hope the festival season finds you happy, warm, and well fed, in body and in soul. Spread the joy, give books for Christmas. And be happy.

What do you wish for yourself? For others?

Now that I’m a “published” author, I pay more attention to what other people think. This has never been a strong characteristic in my personality. I’m usually the one to thumb my nose at other people’s opinions and go on about my business. The game has suddenly changed. If someone doesn’t like one of my books, I take notice.

Thank goodness no one has posted a negative review to date but I’m certain that day will come. And how will I react when it happens? Will I tear out my hair, weeping and wailing, throwing myself across the street in front of an oncoming bus because someone failed to resonate with my muse?

I doubt it. I may suffer a few bruised feelings but if I know me, I’ll find humor in the situation and sift through the meanderings to see if there's a lesson to learn. I have a sales background. My outer layer is pretty tough. It can be penetrated but it takes more than a few harsh words.

So that got me to thinking . . . a dangerous activity in my heightened state of publicity awareness. Did any of the “great” novels receive bad reviews? You wouldn’t believe what I found. So I’ve included a few for your enjoyment. And encouragement. Because even the best writers can’t please everyone.

PRIDE and PREJUDICE

I can read a book in a day this book took me over a week to read. I COULD NOT stay with this book. I made myself finish it but was driving myself nuts doing so.

…the book is really sort of a nightmare that never ends. It is not romantic or charming in the least bit. The main character comes through as arrogant and at times even stupid. It is a completely forgettable book, and I have no clue as to why so many people find it romantic.

OUTLANDER

I'd like to go back in time and stop myself from reading this book!

The end of this book is a total trainwreck. If you make it this far, it's almost comical if you have a dark enough sense of humor.

LITTLE WOMEN

This book is so corny I can barely stand it. It tells the story of four obnoxious, annoying sisters and their silly mother.

This story is so incredibly melodramatic it's not even funny. Jo is such an unlikeable character. She's arrogant, fickle, and a complete drama queen.

TOM SAWYER

This book is very dull and boring which can put the reader to sleep.

The Most horrible book I’ve ever heard. Its just keeps going, and gets more boring as it goes.

The bottom line is you can't make people like you. You can't force them to enjoy your work. What you can control is how you react to the situation.

BICHOK!

Deb Sanders

"Stone Cold Justice" and "Blood Storm" - now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords