Why E-Book?

Those of us in the Gen X generation have been trained to believe that the market works in one way and one way only - tradition. We've all heard the saying, "If it ain't broke; don't fix it." While deciding which direction to go I found that 'It' ain't broke.

Coming from a relatively conservative part of the country, I had a hard time tearing through the fabric of my being that requires bootstrapping, staying the course, believing in those who have more knowledge and experience - tradition.

While taking e-publishing under consideration I felt like it was a failure of the craft. It was the last resort to achieve a dream of bringing stories into the world. I was suffering the all to common tunnel vision that many of us in the Gen X generation have. Staying the course means moving forward on the path of tradition without consideration for the changes in the industry.

There is a term in the publishing industry used by everyone associated with writing. The term is "Slushpile". This being the multitude of unsolicited manuscripts, screenplays, short stories, articles, etc. that end up on the agent's or publisher's desk for acceptance or rejection.

Have you ever read the book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Dr. Spencer Johnson? Ladies and gentleman, the cheese has been moved. It has been moved so far that the plate, knife and fork have all been washed and put away. The cheese being the slushpile. The slushpile has been moved to the world market. You would think this would be a bad thing, but really it isn't. In fact, it's a very clever and fiscally responsible move on the part of the publishing houses. Let the market decide who they like and who they don't. Those with potential will rise to the top on their own. The publishing houses probably didn't make a conscious decision for this to happen, however it works.

The most difficult part of the decision to e-publishing is finding the courage to put your work out there for public praise or ridicule. The last thing on my mind right now is whether or not a publisher will read, "Sticks and Bones". The thing at the top of my mind is will the reading public read it? Will they like it?

Courage. That's what it really takes to be an author today. More courage than stuffing a manuscript in an envelope or clicking the send button on an email to some unknown recipient for critique. For acceptance or the devestation of rejection by one person's opinion. No, we need courage to put it out there for all to see.

Until next time, keep writing and never give up.

Sticks and Bones is available on Amazon.com.