Refusing Failure to Launch

Discovering the ability to publish online through Amazon Kindle reinvigorated my drive. I had become so daunted by the thought of publishing a children’s book. Having researched various Canadian imprints it all appeared to be insanely competitive. Worse, one publisher’s blog had a post relating to just how difficult it is to publish with them since they take on just one or two books a year. How on earth was I going to make it out of the slush pile?

I did write a book several years back. For me it was all about proving to myself I could write something of length that had an engaging plot, some good twists and solid characterization. Did I love this book? No, but I liked it a lot and began my research into Canadian publishers. I found one particular publisher who offered unsolicited email submissions. I sent out a detailed query, and my manuscript. I had no anticipation of receiving a response. I didn’t. Then in a twist of irony I learned this particular publisher had stumbled into difficulty and were in hot water financially. I didn’t feel so bad that I had not heard from them. I had dodged a bullet.

But I still wished to have something I had written out in the public sphere. Attending a local writers group I had another damning crush to my confidence. While chatting with another writer I mentioned I was particularly interested in writing for children. He responded with a laugh and stated I was insane, the children’s industry was too tough to break into. It was not what I wanted to hear.

So feeling defeated I decided to return to writing for adults. I put my first draft of A Fairy’s Tale aside and focused for the next year on working on my first adult novel. Everything changed during a visit to my parents. While flipping through a Canadian magazine I discovered an article about a woman who had self published through Amazon Kindle. She had gone on to do quite well for herself as a writer. The woman’s name is Kate Hilton, and she wrote a comedic novel about the perils, challenges and hilarity of motherhood called The Hole in the Middle. I had my light bulb moment and immediately logged onto the Amazon Kindle site to learn about the process. My journey snowballed from there. I have been editing A Fairy’s Tale and designing the layout and look. In fact I am loving the idea of self publishing because I like the total control I am having over my entire book. I want A Fairy’s Tale to look as professional as any book published by a major imprint and am thrilled with how things are progressing.

Within the last month I have been inspired by the community I am finding on twitter as well as the realization that I can do this. I cannot wait for A Fairy’s Tale to exist in the public sphere. Stick with me folks because everything is a work in process and I am loving every minute of it!