Thursday, February 10, 2011

Self-Publishing

On January 18, 2011 - I decided to try self-publishing my novel "Falling Star" though Amazon.com, making it available to digital download on the Kindle.

A lot of people don't read print books anymore, our society has turned to digital workings. They read on the computer, iPad or on other devices like the Kindle. I thought I would try self-publishing, but so far I've had no results. My friends and family are excited for it, but they don't have a Kindle and I haven't sold a single digital copy. On one level, I'm not surprised. There are thousands of books out there available and since I am an unknown author, no one will buy the book. The potential reader doesn't know if the story is good and doesn't want to waste their money. I have to find a way to publicize my book and prove to readers that it's a good story. I have no idea how to do that.

Here's a blurb of my novel "Falling Star" like I promised:

Books were my connection to a world that I couldn’t understand. I ended up picking several books about young love. Since I had never had a boyfriend, the whole institution of dating was a strange thing that my mind couldn’t wrap around. I had thought about dating, but once I learned of courtship, I decided that my future husband, as a godly man would court me and not date me. Dating could have such a negative connotation, which was easily seen in some of the lower quality books.

I don’t know how long I lay on the couch reading before I was interrupted. A young man with brown curly hair came into the room, smiling at me. I quickly sat up, not sure of what to think.

“Did you know that you sigh and make funny faces as you read?” his soft tenor voice asked. He had a slight clipped accent.

“Do you know that girls don’t like it when you tease them?” I retorted, clutching my book to my chest.

“I apologize.” His blue eyes flashed at me with a smile. “I’m Caleb. What’s your name?”

He sat down across from me on the opposite couch and I quickly noticed his tiny cross necklace lying on his light brown t-shirt. Caleb continued to smile as he picked up one of my books. He read the backside of it and set it down.

“My name’s Evelyn. I don’t typically see people come back to this part of the library. Most guys stick to the music and movies section. Are you lost?”

“I’m not sure,” Caleb joked. “Do you mean that these paper things aren’t entertainment?”

I smiled and picked up my pile of books. I pulled out my cell phone to check the time and was shocked to see that it was after six in the evening. My parents would be calling me to check on me at eight and I wasn’t home.

“Oh gosh, is it really that late?” I exclaimed, putting on my sweater.

“Yes, do you have to be somewhere?” Caleb asked, standing up and handing me the rest of my books.

“Yes, it was nice to meet you.”

I hurried towards the front of the library to check out my things. I still wanted to stop for coffee. Freezing in my steps, I decided that I would call him on my cell phone and not worry about getting home quickly. I love technology. Dialing my mom’s cell phone, I listened as it rang twice and went to voice mail. She must have been busy.

“Evelyn, I didn’t know that you were still here,” Tami commented, checking out my books for me and slipping in a free bookmark. “I thought you went home.”

“I got interested in a book. I’ll probably finish it tonight and start Daughter of the Forest tomorrow. I’m excited to begin it.”

“Good.”

As I slipped my books into my bag, I heard someone come up behind me. A guy’s hand landed on the counter, causing me to jump slightly.

“Hey Aunt Tami,” Caleb greeted, giving me a grin.

“You’re her nephew?” I accused.

“Yes, this is my nephew. I see that you have met him. I hope he was being a gentleman and not bothering you.”

I blushed, hanging my head slightly. Tami and Caleb laughed comfortably in harmony. Looking up, I smiled and adjusted my backpack.

“I’ll see you next week,” I laughed, turning and walking towards the front door.

“Be careful tonight Evelyn. It’s quite dark and quiet out there.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m heading to get some coffee and catch the bus home. I’ll give you a call if I need anything. Good night.”

My ears picked up the sound of them talking, but I didn’t concentrate on what they were saying. Stepping out into the fresh air, I took a deep breath and walked down the street to my favorite coffee house. It was nice to have it be so close. I had no fear of the dark, not even when I was little. A couple walking past gave me a smile as I skipped down the sidewalk. The coffeehouse was in a quaint location between two tall buildings and looked like something out of one of my books. There was a sign on the door reading: Paul Gout and the Violins. I smiled, seeing that the show was about to start. I ordered my favorite vanilla cappuccino and sat down to listen in the closest available booth. The show began with the farmer-looking man putting up his violin and playing an excruciatingly fast piece that left my heart pounding.

“Welcome, my name is Paul Gout. My wife and I’ll be playing some of my original pieces tonight and a few country favorites. Enjoy,” the man greeted, inviting up a small lady to join him.

The concert only lasted an hour and I knew that it was finally time to head home before I found something else to distract me from the empty house. I had church in the morning and I hated to be late. I loved the morning music and hymns. I put my coffee mug in the dish tub and started out into the dark street. I immediately noticed that it was deserted outside. A cold wind blew down the street and caused me to tremble. This was one of the things in my books that always foreshadowed danger.

“You’re being silly,” I told myself. “Everything is fine.”

I crossed the street and headed back towards my bus stop to go home. A lone car passed, but everything else was silent. It was too still. Leaves blew past the hushed drains and closed stores. I must have not realized it was later than I thought. I quickened my pace, walking through the light of a street lamp. In my head, I tried to imagine what one of the characters in my stories would do. I automatically thought of a children’s book that I liked when I was younger about an old lady that wasn’t afraid of anything. I kept walking, seeing that I was almost to the bus sign. I never made it.

A hand reached out from the alley and I was pulled away. My screams pierced the air until a hand came down my lips and muffled the sound. I fought my captor, unable to get away.

“Hold still girlie, I just want to play with you,” the rough voice made me want to puke.

I bite down on his hand and screamed. “Help me! Help!”

No one answered in the frozen time. A fist connected with my face and I fell into a puddle of dirty water. He yanked me to my feet as I gasped when I felt the cold knife pressed to my neck.

“Scream again and I’ll kill you,” the man threatened.

There was no doubt in my mind that he would do as he said. I had no reason to trust him not to kill me, but I had every reason to know that this wouldn’t turn out right.



What do you think? :)
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