The journey to publication may be a bit easier now with the upsurge of small eBook publishing houses and the ever increasing popularity of eReaders in general but the quality of work is still what will shine through every time. It takes very little to lose a readers interest so even though you may be published you must strive for excellence to keep them wanting more from you. Then there is the self publishing craze where you hear about writers like Amanda Hocking making an astounding amount of money and receiving social recognition in just a short time. It makes one want to get on the band wagon with pom- poms waving and all. It is important to keep in mind that for most of us the road to success is filled with hard work and lots of time at our computer.
Has eBook popularity made it easier for me to get published? Absolutely. In addition it has also made me scramble at times to see that my work sells. Virtual blog tours, review requests, Guest blogs and live chats now vie for my time with writing. A juggling act to be sure when you add a full time job and a home life into the bargain. It boils down to how bad you want to succeed. I’m just starting out in my carrier as a published author and as such I am giving as much energy on building a fan base and name recognition as I do writing. Someone asked me the other day if I would have taken that first step and accepted my first contract if I had known what it all entailed. My answer was unequivocally and without hesitation. Yes I most certainly would.
Taking workshops to hone my craft and getting with a critique group that I can mesh with has been crucial to my development as a writer. Sharing what I have learned by giving workshops myself is also making me a better writer and a more well rounded person in general since I suffer from a condition I call “Social Awkwardness.” Getting in front of a bunch of people and speaking has really drawn me out of my shell and in meeting other writers I have noticed my work has grown right along with me.
Since December of last year everything has been a learning experience and even through the trying times struggling to get my name out there I would not trade any of it. This is a tough business and you have to have a tough hide to take criticism and rejections. With every promotional event I do, every tweet or blog I write I am one step closer and more importantly closer to achieving my goals.
My name is Shannan Albright and I write Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy and will try my hand at just about every other genre if the story in my head inspires me enough to put it down. I write for the love of the written word and the stories I am compelled to share that bounce around in my head. This is a business I love heart and soul and eagerly embrace even when it is tough and I get frustrated. You may not recognize my name or my work yet and that’s alright because someday, very soon I hope, you will.
Shannan Albright lives in Las Vegas, NV with her husband, two dogs and two cats. When not writing she spends her time between oil painting and reading. She loves writing paranormal romances because of the world building and rich characters she finds. She loves dark, edgy heroes and heroines overcoming impossible odds internal and external.
She considers herself a "hopeful" Romantic and believes healthy relationships that show a strong partnership in life are the key to a happy ever after.
Dark Passion Rising: A Dark Breed Novel
Tambra Ellis has just had her world turned upside down! Surviving a bite from a Lycan, attracted to one hot vampire guy and now she has to look forward to turning into something from some bad werewolf movie.
Marcus Valerian has enough on his plate without the added complication of Tambra Ellis. Fiery and independent? Sure. Beautiful with a body made for sin? Oh Yeh. And a human cop. Tambra is everything he needs to stay away from.
As leader of the Tribunal’s enforcers it’s up to him to find out why the Dark Breeds are going feral and killing humans in ever increasing numbers. Tambra’s life is in the balance as the secrets of her past place her in the middle of old deceits and a betrayal that will change the world forever.
Will Marcus and Tambra’s love survive or will it be too late.
Posts
4 comments:
Good post - expresses a lot of what I'm sure most of we ebook authors feel!
Fabulous post! And nice to meet you! Wishing you loads of success with your release!
Good post. Right on the mark.
Awkwardness in public Albright? Not at the last talk you gave to Cactus Rose RWA members. Your gracious demeanor and open willingness to share knowledge makes you shine. Good Blog Post, can't wait to see more of your work.
Post a Comment