A warm welcome to author RJ Jones joining us today here at Love Bytes to talk about her new release ” As the Sun Sets”.
RJ talks about self-publishing and brought with her a giveaway to participate in!
Welcome RJ 🙂
Self-publishing advice
I’m no expert when it comes to publishing, far from it, but I’ve learned a fair bit since I released my first story almost two years ago.
I first self-pubbed out of necessity. My first novel, Out of the Blue, was rejected and the devastation was overwhelming. I may have cried. A lot. But eventually I picked up my big girl pants and sought some help. With some sage advice under my belt, I ended up rewriting a huge chunk of the story. Once I was happy with it, I had a choice to make. Submit the story somewhere else or publish it myself. One thing I knew was that I didn’t want to be devastated again. It took quite a while for me to make up my mind but I haven’t looked back since.
And I’ve learned quite a few things about myself in the process.
I’m impatient. I want things done now. When I’ve finished writing a story I want to publish it the next day. But that would be dumb. I need my beta’s and my editor otherwise I don’t think you’d like my stories as much.
I’m also controlling. I like to know that what’s mine, is mine. Being indie I control everything. I don’t give away my rights for anything. I set the price. If I want to do a 99c sale, I can. Giveaways, promos, distribution avenues, re-editing, new covers, paperbacks. All mine. I control the lot. I’ve seen enough publishing houses go under in my two years and heard enough horror stories that I may never submit my work to anyone.
That being said, I know authors who love that they don’t have to do anything when they sign with a traditional publisher. They submit their work, sign a contract (hopefully), and then sit back and get to work on the next story. No out-of-pocket expenses for them.
Then there are authors who like a mix of both. That’s great too.
There’s some authors who have been burned in the past by shoddy pub houses who now refuse to do anything but self pub. I haven’t been burned, (unless you count the All Romance schamozzle) but I can sympathize with them. The thought of someone stealing my hard earned royalties, makes my stomach churn. Thanks, Are.
So my advice is, do what you feel most comfortable with. If self-publishing is too scary, don’t do it right away. Submit your work to a reputable company.
If you think self-publishing is for you but you don’t have a lot of cash, spend what you have wisely. Find a friend who is good with photoshop to do a cover for you for free or for exchange of services like betaing. Spend the money you have on a good editor. The most complained about thing with indie authors is some don’t have editors and their stories show it. You must have an editor. If you can’t afford one, get lots and lots of beta’s, preferably picky ones who know their grammar. This can help in reducing editing costs.
Finally, do what’s right for you. Don’t feel pressured to submit if your stomach churns like mine does. If you don’t have the confidence to self-pub, submit.
You’ll know what’s right.
Blurb:
A sea change could be just what the doctor ordered.
Doctor Scott Penney used to be a Paediatric Oncologist—until he burned out. Watching children suffer and die took its toll on his mental health. To cope, he used anonymous sex as an emotional crutch, thinking it was better than hitting the bottle. But that inevitably destroyed his relationship with the man he loved.
With his tail between his legs and a year’s worth of celibacy under his belt, Scott accepts a position as an Accident and Emergency consultant, leaving his career in oncology and London behind.
Ben Jenkins is a paediatric nurse who loves his seaside city, his job, and his faithful old Labrador, Happy. When he meets the new doctor, Ben falls for Scott’s kind-yet-reserved personality—not to mention his good looks. Scott is great with the children who come through the hospital, but Ben senses there’s more to Scott than meets the eye.
Scott tries to resist Ben’s sunny charm—Scott’s not boyfriend material, after all—but it’s impossible not to fall in love with the sad looking old dog and his charming owner. As Scott and Ben get closer and the weather heats up, tragedy strikes and Ben is left wondering how much of Scott’s history he actually knows.
For them to move forward, Ben must show Scott that no matter what happened in the past, a beautiful day can always start after the sun sets.
**This can be read as a standalone**
Links:
available only on KU
RJ started as a reader and eventually made the progression to reviewing. It wasn’t until two men popped into her thoughts, insisting on telling her their story that she started to write. It started with one scene. A hot and dirty one in the shower.
RJ’s initial thought was if she could write their scene then they’d shut up and allow her to concentrate on other aspects of the day. That shower scene was 3000 words long and three hours of work. But they didn’t shut up. They told her their entire story and she didn’t sleep for days. Sometimes she couldn’t keep up with what they were telling her and she had to keep a notebook by the bed.
Whilst RJ was writing their story a side character decided he needed his story told too. Then other characters followed suit.
You see the problem? If RJ ever wants to sleep again then she needs to write.
RJ is a wife and a mother to two boys. Even her dog is a boy.
She is surrounded by males.
RJ writes emotionally charged, character driven romances. Her guys will always get their HEA, but it will never be easy.
Where to find me
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/robyn.j.jones.1711
Twitter – https://twitter.com/rjjonesauthor
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/rjjonesauthor/
Website – http://rjjonesauthor.com
Email – rjjonesauthor@gmail.com
Amazon page – http://www.amazon.com/R.-J.-Jones
Thank you for having me!