Writing

It's a little perplexing to me and I'm not quite sure how to sort it out well enough to respond, but yet I kinda feel I have to.

Okay, I have 2 books up on Kindle/CreateSpace and I haven't promoted them at all (shame on me though I am getting ready to do so), but have sold a few copies of each nonetheless.

I come to this from a completely different angle: internet marketing where putting books up on Kindle and CreateSpace has been promoted as a cool, easy, quick way to make money -- LOL, like all the other IM schemes. THEIR advice was to basically buy PLR (private label rights) products, slam them together and put them on Kindle. Or, find public domain information and create a book out of it. Then scale up and produce hundreds of similar "products." And a key principle for success is to find out what people are buying and create products for those markets, which is very good advice, IMO.

My approach has been quite a bit different from what's being discussed in this thread. When I became aware that I could create information products and put them on Kindle and CreateSpace, I became much less interested in creating information products to put on Clickbank, which had been my plan, altho Clickbank still commands higher selling prices than most people will ever get on Kindle or CreateSpace.

I've always been a writer -- although the truth is I'm not a writer so much as a communicator who does her communicating best in writing, if that makes sense. I've never wanted to just write, write, write for the joy of it (it's work, not joy for me), never particularly wanted to see my name on the cover of a book or even as a byline. Never wanted to be required to research or study subjects that weren't of any interest to me (as freelance writers have to do, for example). So writing a book the traditional way and finding an agent and a publisher was never on my list of what I wanted to accomplish in life -- I coulda cared less.

At the same time, creating "information products" to sell for subjects I AM interested in and passionate about, now that's a different matter. And while Clickbank has its benefits, and nothing is stopping me from offering my books there too, I'm rather enjoying having them on CreateSpace and Kindle. They make me feel a little more like a "real author." I have at least 4 more books I intend to create -- smallish ones, but with high value nonetheless.

So, my view of most of what is being discussed in this thread is, uh -- wut? Huh? And so forth.

I love the control I get with Kindle and CreateSpace. I can create anything I want (within reason, but really it's wide open) and don't have anyone to answer to. No deadlines (almost a bad thing, actually), no editors (ditto, perhaps), no gatekeepers, no agents, NOBODY to get in my way. The way is free and clear. I'm free to succeed entirely on my own terms and I'm free to fail. Mostly, I'm failing by most people's standards, but my books will never be out of print! They don't have to be -- because the books are only "in print" when someone purchases it with POD (Print on Demand), which is the coolest thing going, bookwise. Or they[re in digital print.

I really need to promote my own books more (or start), but I've heard that when you have a publisher you have to do a lot to promote your book as well. So, what's different?

So, from my vantage point, here's what I'd say to anyone who is writing books of any kind:

1. You're going to have to promote your book no matter which route you take, so just be aware of that and ready for it.

2. Don't think in terms of 1 book. Write, write, WRITE! And then write more. Create as many books as you humanly can. Make them GOOD books, of course, but stop thinking about your one magnum opus. Think instead of an endless stream of creativity leaking through YOUR pen to make you well-off if not wealthy.

3. Kindle/CreateSpace versus traditional publishing house? Well, I can't make that decision for you. It's up to you and your dream, but remember that publishing is dying. Literally. It'll be a long, slow death, probably, but a death nonetheless. Here's one view of why: http://tinyurl.com/85293mv I feel this so strongly that I can't help but think of publishing houses -- and the whole route of getting published -- as anachronistic. But, again, it has to be your decision.

I hope I've been able to convey my thoughts, ideas and experiences adequately.