The Power of Six +1
The new version of my sci-fi collection, The Power of Six, is now live. There are a number of differences with the old one. The new subtitle explains the main one: the new version contains an extra story by Amos M. Carpenter, who is now a published author, as celebrated by his happy blog post titled Big News: I Got Published!
In a sense, this edition marks the culmination of my Indie efforts. I self-published the first book of my epic fantasy series Pearseus on October 17th, 2013. I started my Twitter account in November, and posted my first blog post on February 28th, 2014. Every day since that fateful day It has been a blast, and a step along a very steep learning curve.
A couple of weeks ago I surpassed 3,000 Twitter followers. My blog ones are now 222. I was asked to join the Board of the Rave Reviews Book Club mid-May. Please don’t get me wrong; I’m not bragging. I am humbled by your response to my words. And I find myself the bemused object of Amos’ gratitude, for sharing my book with him and crediting with as a co-author. I say bemused, because one thing I’ve learnt in this time, is that, as a rule, Indie authors love to help each other out. I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ve met some wonderful people in this short period; people whom I dare call friends, even if we’ve never met in person. What other word can one use for those who have been cheering him on during his first, shaky, baby steps in this new direction?
Whereas the rest of the world may shake its head and think (or tell you in your face) that you’re nuts, my fellow Indies embraced me and treated me as their equal, fanning my desire to write and publish. They helped with hours upon hours of free advice; free promotion; by retweeting my tweets; by following me on Facebook and on my blog; by commenting and by engaging. You know who these people are; you are.
Is it any wonder, then, that I don’t see myself as having done something extraordinary for my friend Amos? I’m simply having fun, and I want to share this feeling, this wonderful, wonderful feeling of freedom to publish my words; of hearing back from people who have read them and want to share their impression with me; of belonging to a new community. Is it any wonder that I love Indie publishing?
When I first published Pearseus, I never expected that a short nine months later, some 7,000 people would have read my work. True, I haven’t made any money out of it, since most of these were downloaded during free days and countdown deals, but I don’t really care. That will come. I mean, how can one enjoy his “job” so much and not succeed in it? For the first time, I understand Confucius’ saying, “find out what you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
And here is the thing: I could never have done it without each and every one of you. So, here is to you, my dear new friends: thank you! 🙂
Photo from leadingwithtrust.com
I have to echo MM. The depths of your benevolence are unbelievable. But best of all I love your humorous and always encouraging nature. You are one of my favourite people and writers Nic and I haven’t even gotten to reading your words yet (the glimpses I get via our communication promises great things)… I made up mind on the weekend to list Power of 6 as my next read after reading Lilly MacRhine’s Review. I am really looking forward to it,.
Wow, erm, I don’t know what to say! Thank you!!! 🙂
Dear Nicholas, this was very moving and inspiring. Thank you sweetie, for this truly beautiful post. We are indeed very lucky to be authors in this amazing era when publishing is given free to the people rather be kept any longer in the clutches of the few, who get to decide what deserves to be read and what not, via centralised and random practices that would have even the Taliban shaking their heads with disapproval. So, well done for your accomplishments so far, proud to be your friend, and I consider myself very very lucky to be at the receiving end of your generosity and kindness. Mwah!
*blush even more*
Right back at you! 🙂
I can’t tell you how glad I am to have “met” you through blogging, my friend. Ditto to what MM Jaye said above and you have my eternal gratitude!
I’m not sure whether we’re great minds who think alike or fools who rarely differ, but by some freaky coincidence, I also began blogging on the 28th of February, 2014… I wasn’t aware that that was your first blog post as well! Spooky. Conspiracy-theory-minded people will probably think that we’re one and the same and have set this whole thing up… but then, you’re in Greece and I’m in Australia. Maybe we are twins separated at birth after all! 😉
I *must* have a hard conversation with my mother, one of these days… :b
Aww, Nicholas, I finished reading this post with moist eyes! You’re such a generous person you deserve everything wonderful that’ll come your way. And your joy spreads! Thank you for sharing it!
*blush*
Love that Confucius saying!