A Painful Conclusion

(State Capital Building:Colombia S.C.)

Lisa and I are in Colombia South Carolina for a couple of days and staying at the Hilton two blocks from the State Capital building.

Lisa has come to represent the insurance company where she's employed during Farm Bureau's annual convention  and I've come to break away from the chaos of living and give a little consideration to a my writing and publishing hobby.

Those of you who know me are aware that I have a thing for literature and enjoy writing. This interest was intensified a few years ago when my wife gave me a Kindle for Christmas and has been fueled by a shake up of the entire publishing industry.

The rising tsunami of self-publishing has become yesterday's news as a new generation of authors have found a platform, been given a voice and are now earning a living pursuing their passion.

Amazon continues to lead the pack with their recent purchase of Goodreads and with this move they're making a statement that sounds something like, "Yes, we've come to the table and we're...all in."

Technology and trend are dancing to the rhythm of a new song and opportunity has never been better for wanna be authors. The success of Hugh Howey's Wool along with the deal he was offered by Simon & Schuster allowing him to retain e rights while they carry the print rights signals the Big 6 are reconsidering and readjusting. The playing field has been leveled and with that I've come to a personal and painful conclusion.

The six titles I've published with Amazon are simply not good enough.With the exception of one title, (The Note) my cover art is unprofessional and my craft is armature. If that's not enough, my discipline has been lacking.

Like an ugly trinity, or a bad trifecta going in the wrong direction these three issues have left me treading water in a sea of mediocrity. A wise man once said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. I've been hitting and missing at this thing for a few years and have decided I'm only left with two options. I have to get out, or get serious.

Since getting out would be like giving up and I'd never forgive myself for quitting I've decided to get serious. This week I'll be removing all six titles from Amazon and re-working them.  I have a copy editor who will polish the mechanics and I'm now looking for a cover artist.

There comes a time in every boy's life when he needs to grow up and this boy has come to Colombia South Carolina and made a decision to take responsibility.  So, with that...I'll be spending the rest of my down time today and tomorrow, taking my material off Amazon to be tweaked, re- written and then re-uploaded.

I'll be blogging about the process and keeping you informed.

www.camdockery.com