RT 2014

So, as many of you know, I was super bummed and equal parts depressed that I couldn't make it to NOLA this year.

Like, SUPER bummed. Almost to the point of tears I tell you, tears! And I *never* cry.

Ok, wait. I *almost* never cry...cause, you know, I'm really a big softy at heart and will still cry at a certain Budweiser commercial from the 2014 Superbowl filled with puppies and Clydesdales! Neither here nor there...

But, I had planned to go this year. Like seriously planned. I had the hotel booked, fees paid, car prepped - I was gonna drive because Nawlins is only 8 hrs. away...

Then real life decided to rear it's ugly head and I couldn't. So, I let everyone know, cancelled everything then sat here all week long, seeing the pics on FB and Instagram and Twitter and was extremely jealous! (Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled all my friends had an AWESOME time, but still, I had the little green monster on my shoulder all week. I'm a big girl, I can admit it! Don't judge me!)

Then...this morning, I see this article from the fantastic Hugh Howey. He's a pioneer to Indies like myself, along with other greats that broke into the Self-Publishing Arena and cut a swath so that someone like *me* could do the same.

http://www.hughhowey.com/being-forced-to-sit-in-the-backlist/

As I read it, my gut literally broiled with rage. Not at anyone in particular, but more FOR my friends and fellow Indie Authors!

How dare someone, ANYONE call Liliana Hart "Aspiring"!?!?! Are you kidding me? Seriously? Have these people not looked at the last few months of the NYT and USA Bestseller lists?

Apparently not, because that's exactly what seems to have happened at the big Book Fair. Authors who probably sell more than the top 10 of the Big 5 in a single day, were sat off in a tiny little room with signage that said "Aspiring Authors". While those same "Top 10" who you rarely see on the NYT or USA with any consistence any more, had a great, big, giant ballroom with tables and chairs and etc. all to themselves.

I guess what saddens me about this is, we're out here, Indies that is, working just as hard, if not harder, than authors with the Big 5 -- or is it Four now? I get confused -- pimping our work anywhere we can find, dragging our tired assess to event after event, on our OWN dimes most of the time, and we still to get called, "Aspiring"???

It's been years ladies and gentlemen, since the first of us said, "You know what? I can do this without you!" and did! Whomever it was, wrote the book, edited the book, formatted the book and published the book, by him or herself and frankly the Indie set has never looked back!

And we never will!

So, guess what Big 5/4, we're here to stay. Get over yourself! Suck it up, pull up your big girl panties and keep moving over. Cause, we're taking over, whether you like it or not!

Please, don't misunderstand me. I'm not directing my comments to the Authors who still write and publish with the Big 4/5. I'm not. I hold those who can tolerate the interference of the Corporate Formula at the highest level of respect. You definitely have more tolerance than I, and for that I applaud you. I do.

And there are still a few of you whose work I truly enjoy. (I'm looking at you Jill Slavis, Lori Foster, Catherine Coulter.) You ladies, and gents, have been on my "auto-buy" list for a long time and that's not going to change, I assure you!

I just hope, someday, you'll wake up and realize you can do so much better without...them! Maybe if you did "come to the dark side" as it were, they would wake up and say, "Um, guys? Maybe we should re-think this whole Indie group of people. We just lost one of our best and brightest over here...ya think there might be something to it??"

I know, I know, that's a pipe dream on my part, but hey, I'm one of those "Aspiring Authors" too, so let me have my dreams people! Cause, my dreams are what got me started in the crazy, wonderful, awe-inspiring world of Indie publishing in the first place!

Anyway, I'll hop off my soapbox now, I will. Sorry to rant your ears off, but it just burns me up when stuff like this still happens! *sighs*

So, until next time. (I promise my next blog will be much more fun!)

Thanks for stopping by.

Margaret Taylor

PS: If you did go to NOLA, and had a good time, please, feel free to share the fun and joy in a comment below. I have to live vicariously somehow, ya know???