Independent Author vs $$

6/1/2011

Let me start by saying.... AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, just had to scream and get that out.

Now that that's out of the way, for us unsigned/independent authors, especially those like myself who have spouses and children to support, trying to do everything that you want to do with your book isn't always feasible and, no matter how much you deal with it, it always sucks and hurts.

I was supposed to be attending SoonerCon 20 in Oklahoma City, OK this weekend but, due to a lack of funds, I'm not going to be able to attend. This is the second convention where I've lost money by paying for a table in advance but then not being able to have enough money to either a) finish paying off the balance of the table in time or b) not having enough money for the rental car, hotel & the rising gas costs.

Having to carefully monitor my funds it feels like I have to choose the battles I fight: I can get the copyright but the book cover is going to have to wait until the 15th; I can't get the $20 ad but I can get the $5 ad; it's always something and it's FRUSTRATING!

I really don't know what to do except to keep trying to save and keep writing and know that ONE DAY I will look back on this and laugh. Right now I feel like crying, though.

7 Comments

varrsity link

6/1/2011 03:13:21

Understood completely. I truly do. People are constantly asking me about new material but they don't understand the business side of it. The Writing is 10x's easier than all of the other Self Publishing costs. smh. Just know that you are not alone.

Benjamin Jones link

6/1/2011 03:29:05

The other side of it is just so..... F**KED UP!

Writing is definitely the easy part. Getting it out there and having to pay for printing, advertising, conventions, bookmarks, copyrights, etc... is like fighting a war; you win some and you lose some.

Thanks for the comment!

Imani link

6/1/2011 08:02:41

I agree totally. Because of $, my 2012 book events list will be cut in half. And I am planning on going straight to e-book for several books to stretch my budget.

Drina link

6/1/2011 08:19:27

I know I paid for an event table 2 yrs ago and the event was postponed or canceled, after sending my last $200, and never got a refund as promised via email. I could take it to an attorney, but once I'm done with attorney fees, will prob cost more than getting my $200 back. I know if they ever do an event--they owe me. So far, I have not seen any updates since 2009.

Benjamin Jones

6/2/2011 02:33:23

Imani, thanks for your comments. I plan on going the straight to e-book route as well for HUB 3 and Head Above Water simply because I can't afford to have paperbacks printed up.

Benjamin Jones

6/2/2011 02:36:26

Drina,
Thanks for your comments. That sucks about you not getting your $$ back. My situation is a little different though because I knew up front that the deposits were non-refundable but, when you first book something, you really don't anticipate not being able to come up with the rest. So, I've lost over $130 through these two events that I could've used on any number of things but that's the life we live I guess.

Tiffanie Minnis link

6/4/2011 10:38:37

Hey Ben, If no one truly understands just know that I FEEL YOU! I'm kind of in the same bubble being a single parent with 3 kids... But just know if we hold on to our dreams and keep pressing forward, this will be a laughing matter in the future.

Independent Author vs $$

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Benjamin Jones

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