It's been two months since returning to the book retailers, and it's probably one of the only anniversaries I feel somewhat "meh" about.
Obviously, it's nice to offer readers on different platforms an opportunity to read my work. Because at the end of the day, I'm not looking to punish readers. I'm not even looking to punish book retailers.
I just simply like the control and creative license that comes with running my own Storehouse.
That said, there is an underlying nagging that… how do I put it…
GRATES ON ME.
For starters, if I need to make any additions – going through the audiobook versions of my books might have exposed a typo or two (humans can’t catch ‘em all) – having to upload to multiple retailers is a royal pain in the arse.
When you've got a daily email to write, The Great Betrayal due to be published any week now, Master Liam’s 1st birthday AND my mother’s 60th birthday happening this Saturday, PLUS dealing with all of life's little treasures in between…
I’d be lying if it didn’t induce a little bit of angst.
Does that mean I'm going to suddenly unpublish my books?
No.
Not yet, at least.
Again, the jury's out on whether or not I keep my books on retailers long-term.
For now, though, they're staying put for one of two real reasons. The first being, I just haven't got the energy or time to pull them, and secondly, as I mentioned earlier, I want to offer an outlet — a channel, if you will — for other people to discover my work. (Which, I've been able to capture a number of since returning to the likes of Amazon. Hello to you new Legionnaires reading this.)
But who knows what the future foretells.
Perhaps the urge for total control will win out and force my crooked hand.
Or perhaps it won’t. 🤷
The main thing is, my Storehouse isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
And even if it does, I’ve already got a backup Bazaar waiting in the wings (can you tell I’ve got trust issues?).
Because how I see it is that owning one’s proverbial stall is like taking out a big, fat, juicy insurance policy against Amazon or any other Big Retailer should they decide to nuke my work for any reason or none at all.
It's a security that gives me peace of mind, especially as I have a growing family.
BUT IT’S ALSO A SECURITY FOR MY CREATIVITY.
Whether we agree or not, we live in an era of social whims, and what's considered "acceptable" is changing faster than a drag queen's attire. This makes it all too easy for authors with careers to protect to self-censor themselves and bastardize their work for fear of displeasing a small but vocal minority in the future.
Long-time readers will know I don't cater to those who are easily triggered.
I write what I want to read in the marketplace.
For me, right now in my life, that’s fantasy high in grit, loaded with characters that are neither entirely good nor entirely bad, governed by written (and unwritten) laws that would cause a precious few to convulse.
And I make no apologies for it.
The Storehouse allows me to follow Milo-the-Muse wherever he takes me, however shady, repugnant, or controversial the path may be.
And follow I shall!
If you're like me and you like fantasy that is freely let loose, ungoverned by the social norms and “rules” that dictate so much of our lives… AND you don’t mind characters who say and do crude things…
Then you might just like The Divided Region.
Start here with Exiled:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/Exiled
DJJW