And so it begins! "Fiction Fantastic"
What is Fiction Fantastic?
This is my first post for the official launch of my own corner of the Substack universe. As an author, why not join the top online platform for writers and creators? I’ve been a multi-genre (mostly sci-fi), multi-series published author for the last decade. If you don’t know about my work, check out my author page on Amazon.
I began my published writer journey back in 2012 after not writing a word of fiction in more than 15 years! It all started out as an item on my perennial “New Year’s List,” wherein I pick a few new things that I’ll do that year. In 2012, one of the items was to write and publish a full novel. Little did I know, that it would unleash an avalanche of creativity that I’m still completely in awe of today. To be clear, I’m in awe of the talent, not me. I take no credit for it; other than to say I was born with it. I wrote my first novella at 3 years old and I was even writing mystery novels in elementary school. In 2013, I did publish that one novel. Then in 2014, I published three more novels. In 2015, I released more new novels and introduced a second series. In 2018, I launched my third series and delved into another genre.
The publishing industry, even then, was in a state of flux and the only thing can say about it with certainty is that it will remain that way for some time. Traditional publishing isn’t what it used to be, but the Big 5 Publishers (or is 4 now) are trying to hold on to what was their “glory days.” However, the rise and dominance of Self-Publishing and independent authors is here to stay.
Previously anti-self-publishing traditional publishers have themselves jumped into the game by creating their own platforms to cater to self-published authors. Also, you have previously anti-traditional publisher indies now more willing to cross over to the “dark side” (their words) and sign with a traditional publishing house. We even have hybrid authors who publish one series with a traditional publisher and self-publish another.
I became my own best experiment on this new publishing landscape. In the old days, an author was allowed to release only one book a year—hardcover first, paperback about six months later, and there was no such thing as ebooks. How have things changed and the primary reason is Amazon. Love ‘em or hate ‘em they changed the global publishing landscape forever. Debates aside, Amazon—not the Big Publishers—leveled the field so that anyone could become a successful author without having to go through any gate-keepers at all. Ebooks rule the market and there are some authors who release a book every couple of months or do a rapid-release of a book a month over six months or so in one single year.
There was a time when if you were a sci-fi author, a horror author, or fantasy author, then that was all you were as an author—period. Traditional publishers wouldn’t allow you to publish outside of your “brand.” If you did mystery, they didn’t want to hear about your fantasy trilogy. Writers can do it all. (Though depending on the genre, it may be wise to use a pen name).
I didn’t set out to do what I’m doing now as an author. It was just supposed to be one book—write it, publish it, and check it off my annual “New Years’ List.” Also, I became a self-published authorpreneur not to make a statement, but because of a lack of patience. Even now, you can go the traditional publishing route but from the time you get a literary agent who then sells your book to the publisher, how long does it take for it to be released? Eighteen months! “Excuse me?” I said. I can write three books in that time—and have. The self-publisher path was the only real path for me.
My first author website had the tag-line: “Thrillers In All Time and Space.” But by 2015, I had to update my author website to move away from, at the time, my only series--After Eden-- to showcasing my new series and genres. Since then, I’ve updated my author website again to THIS as I prepare to launch a new military sci-fi series (I served in the US Army myself). I will release much more than just sci-fi, though most of my work will always be science fiction. From an artistic standpoint, my creative energy is being allowed to run as wild as it wants to. From a business standpoint, we will see how far and wide I can grow my readership and fan base. Again, I have evolved into a one-man writing machine. Yes, people have wondered aloud if I’m actually an android from the future. I just tell them: “it’s this my super power.”
The other reason I’ve come to Substack is that in the near future I plan to create two more newsletters and I want to have one place where all that content resides. I’ll talk more about those other endeavors in the future, but for now enjoy my Fiction Fantastic world of sci-fi, epic fantasy, and classic horror with all things writing, independent publishing, and related.
Thanks for joining my community and the ongoing “madness” of my indie writing life. Enjoy!
