From Joy E. Rancatore:
More than once or twice, I’ve heard an author apologize, “I’m just self-published.” That phrase hurts my heart. Why? Because what I hear beneath their choice of words and tone is something I want them to hear:
“I wrote something straight from my heart that I believed in so much, I backed it with my time, energy and money so other readers could believe in it, too.”
. . . .
1. Wash that just right out with a shot of confidence.
Before I dive in here, please take extra note that I wrote confidence. I did not write pride or hubris or boasting.
Now that we’ve got that clear, you are just as much an author with your one book that you published as an author who’s been published countless times by one of the Big 5.
You plotted and outlined—or pantsed—your way to a first draft where you went beginning to end (or zigzaggy) until you had a completed story baby.
Then you revised, rewrote, edited, rewrote, got help and feedback and critiques and outside—hopefully professional—edits and rewrote again until your book shone as bright as any polished diamond.
Whatever your reason, you chose to put your money behind your dream and publish your own book. You’re kind of a rock star, my friend!
. . . .
2. Chase it down with a slow drink of professionalism.
I’ve got to give you a note before we tumble down a cliff on this one, too. You may not have done this on your book—or your first five, depending on where you are in your journey. And, that’s OKAY. Reread that last sentence until it completely settles in your soul, because your commitment to fulfill your dream is what makes you the author I declared you to be in the first point.
Sure, there are still a few pockets of folks who look down long noses over horn-rimmed glasses at anyone not traditionally published, but they are few and far between and transitioning to the land of the dodo bird.
Chin up, writer friend, and let’s make ourselves better than we were yesterday! How do we do this? I’m so glad you asked!
You’ve got your shot of confidence warming your resolve, so now it’s time for some slow sipping. I have to add here that some folks sip slower than others and that is just fine.
Don’t compare your rate of progress to someone else’s. The only person you should ever compare yourself to is yesterday’s you.
Link to the rest at Joy E. Rancatore