Caroline James, best-selling author of women’s fiction, explores her journey through self and traditional publishing.
At school, when the careers teacher asked what I wanted to do with my working life, I said, “I want to be an author.” The response? “You’re not clever enough.” That crushing comment stayed with me for years, and as a result, I didn’t pick up a pen to write creatively until much later in life. If someone had told me then that one day I’d be published by a major traditional publisher, I wouldn’t have believed them.
Because of that comment, my career took an entirely different direction, and it was successful and fulfilling; however, I never let go of my writing dream. Eventually, I reached a turning point: I realised that if I didn’t at least try to write a book, I’d always wondered what if? So, I carved out time from my busy schedule and wrote my first novel. But more than eighty rejections later, it was clear the traditional route wasn’t going to happen, and self-publishing became my only option. To my astonishment, my debut hit the Amazon bestseller charts, and that was the beginning of my writing life. Since then, I’ve lived in both worlds—indie and traditional—and discovered that each has its own rhythm, rewards, and challenges.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is undeniably empowering. I’ve run businesses most of my life, and I approached my writing the same way. Create a quality product and market it effectively. Track what works, refine it and find the tools that suit your book and your audience. But make no mistake, self-publishing isn’t for the faint-hearted. As an indie, you are the entire team, which includes the writer, art director, admin assistant and technical support. You’re responsible for every aspect, from sales figures to reader demographics. Suddenly, writing the book feels like the easy part. But then came the call from a traditional publisher. The call one dreams of, and I felt validated by the industry, but along with the validation came a new pressure. I wasn’t just writing for myself and my readers; I was writing for a team and creating a brand for them.
Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing offers me editors with expert eyes who challenge me to be better. Initially, when the structural edit arrives, there is a day of throwing my toys out of the pram, and then the real work begins. I love working with my editing team and embrace the process. In traditional publishing, much is taken off your plate, which is a relief but also a loss of control and something I found difficult at first. But I trust my team to know best. There is little choice over the cover, the press release, or the narrator, and it can be months before you know your sales figures. However, the resources I dreamed of as an indie are all there. Amongst many additions, I have an agent, access to distribution, and PR support.
Each path has its own advantages and disadvantages. They are both routes to the same destination: getting your stories into readers’ hands. Indie publishing taught me to be resilient, to utilise my entrepreneurial skills, and to have courage. Traditional publishing has taught me the importance of partnership, and I appreciate the stability it provides. It has removed the frustration of knocking on doors that wouldn’t open when one goes it alone.
But whatever route you favour for your writing journey, the magic is just the same. Seeing your work out in the world and knowing that somewhere, a reader is falling in love with your characters is, in the end, the real happy ending. My advice to any aspiring author is to start. Don’t wait for permission or listen to a career teacher who put you down. Write your story, the one only you can tell. Whether as an indie or traditionally published author, believe in what you do. Keep going, no matter what and one day, your writing dream will come true.
(c) Caroline James
Caroline James always wanted to write but instead of taking a literary route, she followed a career in the hospitality industry, which included owning a pub and a beautiful country house hotel. She was also a media agent representing many celebrity chefs.
When she’s not writing, Caroline likes to go wild water swimming or walk with Fred, her Westie.
About The Cruise Club by Caroline James:
Escape to the sun with the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise in a feelgood rom com full of romance, fun and mischief, which will sweep you away to the azure waters of the Mediterranean with every turn of the page…
Set sail on the Diamond Star for sunshine, romance – and just a little bit of mischief…
Cosy crime writer Carmen Cunningham is in trouble. Her inspiration has vanished, her deadline is looming, and her meddling elderly mother Betty consumes her every waking moment.
Hoping to revive her creativity, Carmen books a dream cruise, featuring workshops with her literary idol, Ruskin Reeve. It’s the perfect plan – until Betty insists on tagging along…
However, as the Diamond Star sails through sun-soaked ports and magical Mediterranean islands, Carmen finds the escape she needs as she discovers new friendships, and unexpected sparks with the grumpy, but charming, Ruskin.
But mischief is afoot on board the ship, with talk of items going missing and a secret club that’s got everyone talking… Will the cruise reignite Carmen’s writing muse or plunge her into the biggest plot twist of her life? Because, as she’s about to find out, anything can happen at sea…
Escape this summer on a holiday like no other, where fun and frolics are the order of the day! The perfect read for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.
Order your copy of The Cruise Club by Caroline James online here.
And read more Writing.ie articles on Getting Published here.
