laurenwaters

After finishing another fantastic writer’s workshop and getting back my last chapter from my supreme beta reader (you rock!), I’ve sent off my manuscript to an editor I found through wonderful recommendations. Yay!

It took me awhile to stop staring at my MS for the umpteenth time, checking and re-checking for any last tweaks, and press SEND. It has been two and half years since I began this novel and I can’t believe I’m getting closer and closer to seeing that beautiful copy in my hands. I can’t wait until I read it cover to cover in print version–nice and chunky in my hands– instead of this flat computer screen. This flat screen I’ve been glued to all this time, mesmerized by the same words over and over again. This laptop that has a tired file littered with so many different revisions kept for safe-keeping that I will probably never look at again.

Well, I received an email almost immediately letting me know my editor got my MS and said she could have it back for me mid-July. MID-JULY!! This is really happening! I am so excited to see what corrections she suggests and how she can improve the story. She is freelancing but also works in publishing presently so I have such great expectations for her.

In the meantime, I will force myself to forget about this book for now and begin to start the endless (it sure does feel that way) revisions that the sequel is screaming for and read as much as I can about what’s ahead for me on this self-publishing trail.

Hello blogging world!

The sun is out, the birds are singing, and I’m self-publishing!!!

I’m so happy to be writing in a time where the author has so many choices. After some feedback from some amazing, interested agents I’ve come to realize that the series I’ve been consumed with the last two years is better fitted for self-publishing. A few agents pointed out that my first book in the series is not a stand alone and being so it makes it less attractive to weary publishers. I tried to think of all the ways I could make it a stand alone with series potential but the nature of the series just won’t allow for that. I definitely have a true series in that each novel is a piece of the whole running saga.

I’ve been intensely interested in past lives for years and have held my breath for someone to come out with a movie/novel that would allow the observer to fully delve into the world of reincarnation. With no one attempting this, I decided to roll up my creative sleeves and start conjuring up a past life universe myself. I didn’t want to simplify the whole experience by only focusing on one soul mate or one or two lives (as I’ve seen so many times) but wanted to illustrate the entire rich and complicated experience of a soul traveling with many other evolving souls, through many changing and fascinating times.

I’m so excited to have all these options right now; where a writer can stick to their vision and still get their book out there. I will use this blog to discuss my research and experiences in writing and self-publishing my own series. I hope to educate and inspire others to consider this option for themselves.

So I would like to begin with all the reasons I’ve decided to self-publish:

1) My book is a true series

2) I have the time and the money to invest in quality editing and publishing

3) I’m willing to do my own publicity

4) My main goal is to get this story out

5) This story will not go quietly into the drawer

6) I believe in self-publishing

7) I’d like to get this book out before I have my next child (I’m 7 months pregnant)

I intend to describe every step–backwards and forwards–on this pathway to self-publishing, so stick around if you’re curious about the whole process!

And so it begins…