DAY ONE....

I'm going to have to raise my game.

I've been thinking about it and if I'm serious about this whole writing business, then I need to embrace more than just writing the books. In fact, it's starting to feel like writing the books is the easy part!

I have a dream etc, etc.... Mine is to get a book picked up a real publishing house and to have it published. This is what I've been working towards since 2009 and it's still what I want. But I'm also beginning to have a bit of a rethink.

It used to be called 'Vanity' publishing didn't it? Can't get a book accepted? Then do it yourself! Simple. Now this is all fine and dandy but there's probably a reason why no one wanted your book in the first place. Hence my traditional route dream. When I publish something I want it to be proud of it and that includes making sure that it's of a sufficiently high standard so that people like me might want to read it.

But things hare changing. People who can write really well now publish independently. In fact many of them choose to do it this way and do it very successfully. In fact, I read that the big 5 publishing houses now account for only 16% of the ebook sales on Amazon.

So maybe I should try to learn something about it. After all, it's all out there in the blogosphere to be absorbed. Mind you, we are talking a VERY STEEP LEARNING CURVE. Yes I've had my blog for nearly six years (longer than many) and had the presence of mind to acquire my domain names early on (well, my clever husband did) but that's all. I am severely off the pace in every way.

But I can catch up. I can learn a little bit at a time. And to make sure that I don't give up, I'm going to take what's left of my diminishing (and I like to call loyal) group of readers with me. (That's you!)

I've decided to use this blog to record how I get on, from rebuilding my website, to finalizing my manuscript, from choosing a cover to ultimately getting something out there to be read. So, if this journey interests you then stick around. Tell your friends!!

Right then.  We begin here. I have a very basic blog with almost no features and five first draft manuscripts.

Hold on to your hats......please.

Imogen.

PS Please post any ideas in the comments box. All help very gratefully received x