Last year, the only plans I had as 2010 clicked to 11 were to finish my troublesome novel Life Form 3 and get it agented. Continue the blog and my consultancy and nurture ideas for my next novels. I did those, but I also find myself looking back at some self-publishing ventures that were not, in 2010, even a twinkle in my champagne glass.
Self-publishing on Kindle – especially my novel – was not planned at all. Neither was starting a second blog. It kind of happened – because of the people I met on blogs, here, Twitter, Facebook.
Writers used to work in isolation. Now we are a community of experts and explorers. We show the way when we can and we cheer each other on.
Not only can we spread knowledge, we can change attitudes. One of the quantum changes of 2011 has been that we now accept quality authors can publish without being chosen for it. That’s not to say ‘traditional publishing’ is dead – just that we now have extra options for reaching readers.
To everyone who is part of this, I raise a glass. Its predictions for 2012 are inscrutable, of course. The only plans I can be bothered to make in any detail are creative. But going on previous form there will be exciting things I cannot imagine right now.
And may it be the same for you. Happy new year.
Nail Your Novel 
#1 by (@) on December 31, 2011 - 4:18 pm
Happy new year, Roz! Best wishes from Italy 😉
#2 by rozmorris @dirtywhitecandy on January 1, 2012 - 7:05 pm
Thank you, and returned… mysterious Italian…
#3 by Deb Atwood on December 31, 2011 - 4:37 pm
I raise my glass in return, Roz. Thanks for the good thoughts. May 2012 be the year of the writer!
#4 by rozmorris @dirtywhitecandy on January 1, 2012 - 7:06 pm
Same to you, Deb – with sparkles
#5 by DC Gallin on January 1, 2012 - 8:57 am
Happy New year Roz, may all your creative goals come true 🙂
#6 by rozmorris @dirtywhitecandy on January 1, 2012 - 7:07 pm
And you, Denise x
#7 by Sally on January 1, 2012 - 11:45 am
Hi Roz! I second Deb’s comment – may 2012 be the year of the writer. I agree with you that 2011 has been a landmark year for self-publishing. Happy New Year! 🙂
#8 by rozmorris @dirtywhitecandy on January 1, 2012 - 7:08 pm
Year of the writer. The Chinese missed a trick. Happy new year to you too, Sally and thanks for being such an energetic commenter here
#9 by Joanne Tombrakos on January 5, 2012 - 5:43 pm
A great post! This is my favorite part: “One of the quantum changes of 2011 has been that we now accept quality authors can publish without being chosen for it. That’s not to say ‘traditional publishing’ is dead – just that we now have extra options for reaching readers.”
I could not agree more. Like you, 2011 was the year I joined the ranks of the self-published and I cannot wait to do it again!
Happy 2012!
#10 by rozmorris @dirtywhitecandy on January 5, 2012 - 6:35 pm
Congratulations, Joanne! Best of luck with your ventures this year!