MY BILLIONAIRE SERIES

2013 has been a terrible year in terms of writing.  When I’m feeling a little down, writing is my refuge.  I create a make-believe world and happily inhabit it with my characters, but when I’m full blown depressed, writing is the last thing I can do.  I miss it and think about it all the time, but I cannot make myself sit down and do it.

I started my Seducing the Billoinaire series at the end of January and promised to finish it by the end of February—I never would have published the first part if I felt that I couldn’t deliver on that promise.  Then I received some devastating news that sent me reeling.

I’ve fought with the series since then and finally I finished writing and editing it yesterday, almost nine months late.

I’m taking a break and hope to come back with a bang in 2014.

The writing muse is fickle, though, and I may find that I write up a storm now that I have no obligations to do so.

SEDUCING THE BILLIONAIRE

My latest release, Seducing the Billionaire, is a 4-part erotica series which will be fully released by the end of February.  The books will not be standalones and should be read in order.  Each part will be 8-12K words long and will sell for $0.99/£0.77.  Once the series is complete, the books will be bundled into one volume and priced at $2.99/£2.31.  So, buying the four books separately will cost readers $0.99/£0.77 more.  However, they would have had the chance to meet the characters long before the readers who will eventually buy the bundle.  They would have also had the thrill of anticipating each instalment and watching the series develop and unfold.  Some readers enjoy that sort of thing and will think it worth the extra cost.  The way Amazon’s royalty system works I actually make a little more money if readers buy the bundle, hence the added incentive for them to do so.  By the end of the series I hope there are enough reviews posted to enable readers to make a decision either way - confidently buy the bundle, or make a smaller investment at the beginning which in turn will be a bigger cost if they enjoy it and want to read the other books.

I hope that by stating things clearly at the start of this series I will avoid having readers complain about the length of the books or feel cheated by buying the books singly.

WHY I WILL REMAIN AN INDIE WRITER

First, let me admit that no one has ever offered me a publishing contract and probably never will!  However, I’ve been catching up with my reading, especially of my favourite romance authors and logged on to Mary Balogh’s website to see what’s new.  The last time I visited, aeons ago, the author had mentioned that she intended to write a book about Gwendoline, Lady Muir, a secondary character in the books of the Bedwyn series.  I was thrilled to learn that the manuscript was almost complete, but was totally flabbergasted when I read that the hardback would be available August, 2012!  It’s probably because I want to read the story so much, but for the first time the incredible length of time between the completion of a manuscript by the author and the time it takes to appear in print was brought home forcibly to me.

Mary’s books are flawlessly edited.  I can only recall just one tiny error, ‘blues eyes’, in the twenty or so books of hers which I’ve read; if there were more I was too engrossed to notice.  I know great care is taken in ensuring that her books are perfect, so I appreciate that the book can’t be available the day after she finishes writing it.  But surely by writing the book she’s done the hard part of the publishing process?  Why does the rest of it take so long?  It may be that there is a need to space the publication of her books—there are several planned in the interim—but call me impatient, I want to read that book now!

Mary also mentions on her website that one of my favourite books by her, A Summer to Remember, was almost not written because a previous editor didn’t like the heroine of the book.  I’m even more flabbergasted by this fact!  An editor deciding what I can and can’t write!  We would have come to blows for that.  Another favourite of mine, A Precious Jewel, almost didn’t get written, but this time because it was unlike the traditional Regency romances being written at the time.  Luckily, the story compelled Mary to write it and thank God she gave in to that inner voice because it’s a wonderful book.

So, I will remain an independent author.  Traditional publishing is too long-winded a process for an impatient person like me.  I was a disobedient child and I’m no better as an adult—I could not have anyone tell me what to write.  I go with my instincts and never worry about how unpopular my choices are.  None of these attributes makes me a good candidate for a three- or five-book deal from a traditional publisher, so it’s safe to say that we will avoid each other like the plague.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

It seems everything.  I read this blog post: 'What's in a Name?' by the lovely Liane Spicer months ago about the power of name.  Now, I acknowledge that power too, but in a different way.  My sexy, intelligent, too-good-looking-for-his-own-good first love, Oliver, died tragically young.  I don't write fiction about my life or anyone else’s because it inhibits my writing, but I thought I would name the male protagonist in Envy after him, in remembrance.

The story is not autobiographical (I would have beaten any woman who messed with him...just kidding!), but perhaps using his name is inhibiting me in some way.  Maybe because I know that he was the bees' knees and so hot he sizzled, I’m not doing enough to convey this character's stellar qualities to reader—his gentleness, his drop-dead gorgeousness, his to-kill-for hotness.  Maybe I should rewrite the story and call him Paul or Simon.  Maybe.

WRITING

Writing is a compulsion I’ve tried to stifle all my life because it consumes me totally. When I’m writing I forget time, place and other people – thankfully I have no dependents. I sometimes crave a sunny, uninhabited island where I could be alone with my thoughts and a solar-powered laptop. But I would probably go quietly insane or develop a severe case of RSI as my thoughts come faster than I can type when I give them free reign. I would be like a woman possessed trying to capture them all before they slipped away.

I yearn for the day when I have earned enough royalties to safely give up my day job, but I fear it equally. With nothing to stop me daydreaming I might lose touch with reality and become a part of my creations if I’m not constantly pulled back into reality by other obligations.

But I have taken several mini career breaks in the last seven years and they have been more glorious than anything I could have imagined. To have a chance to write freely without thinking of getting up for work the next day was sublime. I would love to take another breakright now, but it would defeat my long-term plans. I’m trying hard to be disciplined, to be patient and wait until the time is right, but it’s so hard!

REVIEWS

I’m still a little disappointed at the lack of reviews my books get. It might be that the books are neither brilliant nor terrible enough to warrant strong reactions, but it would be satisfying if readers gave their opinions more often. I know many readers use their real names for reviews and perhaps don’t want to admit to reading my works. I totally respect their need for privacy in that case, but if there are no compelling reasons I would appreciate them taking the time to write a few lines and give an appropriate starred rating.

A horrible thought just struck me: is it because the option they would choose, zero stars, if not available? I’ve had a few reviewers who have said words to that effect, but thankfully not many. And almost all my negative reviews were to do with me using Italics (couldn't resist pressing Ctrl+I for old time sake) a little too liberally in my first editions. A filthy habit for which I’ve been successfully treated, except for rare lapses, like a moment ago. It’s been three years and counting. Ha-ha!

I consider my books works-in-progress and rely on feedback to improve future editions. So, please, please, email me: Lexyharper@aol.com even if you don’t want to write a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or any other website.

Kindle

There have been several heated debates in Kindle forums about the pricing of eBooks. Some writers feel that they have worked too hard to sell their books below their true worth. Some claim that readers assume that eBooks priced at $2.99 and below are substandard. Some have even reported a drop in sales when they have lowered prices, yet others claim that they have sold significantly more at reduced prices and as a result have accrued greater royalties. It’s a debate that will rage on for a good while yet and I’m not sure that the outcome will be conclusive.

As a writer what I want most is for people to read and enjoy my writing. If pricing my eBooks at $2.99 gives me a larger readership then I’m happy! I’ve never been able to price my paperbacks at exactly the price I wanted due to printing, publishing and distribution costs – Kindle is the first chance I’ve had to do so. These prices won’t stay lowered forever, so if you are thinking of getting one of my books this might be the time to do so. And as always, please download a sample first as my raw writing style may not be to your taste.

Coming Out

When I completed my first romance manuscript in 2005 there was nothing I desired more than a contract with a publisher and to earn enough to write for a living. I thank God every day that my query letter and synopsis were rejected by the major publisher to whom I had sent them. I love the freedom that self-publishing has given me. And though, sadly, I have to still work for a living, I’m making enough to put towards a wonderful retirement even if I’m never able to become a full-time writer.

Using a pseudonym severely limits my marketing potential – most of my friends have no idea that I write much less than I have published books. I have toyed with the idea of ‘coming out’ and aggressively promoting my books, but the urge fades almost as soon as it surfaces. The main reason for staying anonymous is that I would like to reserve my true identity for the literary works I hope to write in future.