Going the Indie Route

It’s a few years now since my first books were published, so the earliest contracts have come up for renewal. For an author with an established fan base, going indie, self publishing, seems to be a no-brainer decision. The author already has people looking for her books, so why pay a publisher to do the work an author knows how to do herself. With self-publishing the author has full control of cover art, release dates, and other areas that often cause disagreement.
I also had a book with a publisher which ceased trading, and the wait and worry to get the rights back was not something I wanted to have happen again.
But there’s a lot of work involved in self-publishing. The book still needs to be edited thoroughly. A cover artist has to be chosen who will make covers the author likes. Then there’s all the paperwork to publish the book on the various third party etailing sites, and formatting for all the various devices. Or paying someone else to do all that.
I decided to self-publish two books, as a sort of trial run. I had a good relationship with several of my editors, so re-editing was not a problem. Cover art was a bit more difficult, and took me longer to finalize. Filing in the paperwork for the various etailing sites was annoying. I think I filled out every lot twice, maybe even three times.
Then there is the issue of ISBNs. One ISBN costs $125 and a publisher needs one for every different publishing format. Buying in bulk is a lot cheaper, but it’s still not cheap. Added to the costs for editing, cover art, and formatting, this was starting to become an expensive trial.
I decided to publish on Smashwords because they provide an ISBN and make the different formats for the self-publishing author. Their formatting rules for submission of the original book are strict, but they provide a “how to” manual.
Will I self-publish some more books as my contracts expire? Maybe. I’ll see if these books sell any copies first!
Berengaria

“Noticing Nigel” blurb:
Matthew is singing in a choir for a special Christmas presentation of the oratorio, “Messiah” by Handel. He’s a tenor soloist. But his eyes are on one of the basses, Nigel, a deliciously muscular and well-built man with sparkling eyes and golden-brown hair.
Matthew takes his courage in both hands at the full-dress rehearsal, and invites Nigel out to lunch, then to dinner.
But can this be more than a one-night stand?
Buy Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/119353

Blurb “Sappho’s Sisters”
Lady Eustacia Lumley is the only child of the Earl of Wentworth. It’s her duty to marry well and ensure the succession.
Margaret Durrell is the fourth daughter of a gently born, but near penniless Vicar. She has no option but to marry a man who can provide for her and possibly for some of her sisters as well.
Both young women are very interested in Sappho’s poetry and ideas. One evening, Margaret has a headache and Eustacia offers to massage her scalp. This leads to sex, and Margaret’s very first orgasm.
They fall deeply in love, but is there any hope for them? Or will they both have to conform to the rigid rules of Regency society?
Buy Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/119358

Berengaria Brown

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

http://berengariabrown.webs.com/