Please join us in welcoming Kris Kennedy to the blog today. Kris Kennedy has a few print books under her belt with THE CONQUEROR, THE IRISH WARRIOR, DEFIANT and DECEPTION (due out this summer) but she also has a self-published book called CLAIMING HER coming out so seriously, mark your calendars!
Kris is stopping by today to share her self publishing story. Take it away Kris…
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I got my start with New York publishing. I have three New York-published books out (and a fourth coming this summer), and . . . my first self-published story is also coming out this summer, a hot historical romance novella.
Used to be, people asked why on earth would you do that? I don’t think a lot a people are asking that anymore. 🙂 For me, personally, I’m doing digital-first self-publishing for . . . well, a lot of reasons. And only one of them is a simple black-and-white reason.
As far as the control, yes, there’s more control in self-publishing. There’s also more work. A lot more work, and it all takes away from writing.
Self-publishing may mean more money, but then again, it may not. New York published or self-published, I still write in niche-y pockets of the romance world (medieval, Elizabethan), and there’s no more guarantee with self-publishing than with New York publishing. And all the start-up money required (formatting, editing, covers) is out-of-pocket.
Some people have horror stories about traditional publishing process. I don’t. I’ve had the stressors that come with working with deadlines, but that’s not a horror story (although it sometimes felt like it). I’ve worked really well with my editors, respected them a lot, and still do. Same for my agent.
For me, at the heart of my decision to self-publish ebooks is a story. Many stories.
Stories a New York or even a small press publisher probably couldn’t do anything with.
Maybe it’s a ‘niche’ story, one that would never justify a large enough print run to make it into your local bookstore. Maybe it’s an off-brand works, stories that break out of a writer’s own box. Maybe it’s a highly experimental story, one that no one probably should lay money down on, no one except the person who already believes in it—the author. Sometimes they’re shorter stories, or longer ones, or sexier ones, or off-beat ones. The ones that just don’t work in a traditional run through a bookstore. The ones no one else can figure out what to do with.
That’s why I’m going to be self-publishing digital-first stories. My first, Claiming Her: A Scorching Historical Romance Novella is shorter, hotter, and set in Elizabethan Ireland. Truly, I don’t think a traditional publisher would be able to do anything with this in bookstores.
But readers and I? Yeah, I think we can do something with it. 🙂
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Huge thanks go out to Kris Kennedy for stopping by Book Binge to share her self publishing story with us. CLAIMING HER is set to release this summer so I hope you’re all ready for that!
Want to win a copy? Leave a comment for a chance!
-Rowena & Holly
Yay! I’ve been looking for a great Irish romance. Sounds perfect.
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OMG!I would love to win a copy of Kris Kennedy’book. Please, count me in!
I could definitely do something with Claiming Her – that is read and enjoy the heck out of it!
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
I already have two of Ms Kennedy’s books on my ever-going TBR pile (The Conqueror and Defiant) and would love to read Claiming Her also! Congratulations on her up-coming self published book. I love that authors are now able to go this route and publish more non-traditional romance stories.
This book sounds like a winner. Can’t wait to read it.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Loved the above excerpt. Can’t wait to read this book.
mojostables@yahoo.com
Sounds good! I enjoy anything Irish.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I have read many digital books that would not have fit into the strict guidelines of a traditional publisher. I love all of the little gems I find from self-published authors.
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
Haven’t read a historical set in Ireland for ages. There aren’t many around, I think. Looking forward to reading this one!
claudigc at msn dot com
Your story sounds good. I’m so glad authors have the freedom to publish digitally. Yay for readers!
Thanks for the great post! It’s so true that in this digital age, an author can definitely publish those stories that “traditional” publishers pass on. But that’s where it’s awesome that authors self publish b/c it’s a win for everyone!
Congrats on the upcoming release and best of luck to you!
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
Congratulations on the book! It sounds good.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com