Hello everyone. I look forward to learning about your experiences as an aspiring author. I am considering self-publishing, but some aspects seem daunting. Especially the marketing end of it. Also the cover art. I have so much to learn. I hold a BA in writing with a minor in drama. My professor's predicted I'd have success as a novelist. That definitely hasn't happened. I've completed five novels, with a few more in the works. I believe my writing compares favorably with those of established authors; but my many, many agent rejections have eroded my confidence. Research concerning trad publishing has been an eye opener. Even if a debut author is lucky enough to procure publication, publishers will spend piddly on marketing their books. Ninety-five percent of a publisher's marketing budget is devoted to authors with name recognition. As a result, book sales for a debut author in the first few years are disappointing. I was chagrinned to learn that established authors are offered contracts for books they haven't even written yet. Often these authors rush to meet deadlines, and as a result, the books are often poorly edited. Publishers don't care. Said authors rest on their laurels. It's becoming harder and harder to find a really well-crafted book these days. Bottom line: Maybe self-publishing, (self-empowerment) is the only way we can take a stand against the unfair practices of the publishing industry.

I found this website by accident watching Youtube Videos. I wrote four books in May of 2025. I have one at the publishers but wish to publish the other three on my own. Any help would be appreciated. These books are done in topic, they just need set up with correct paragraphs and line adjustments for publishing. I would like them to be available in book form, ebook and Kindle or book reader. I am not a book writer, these were downloaded to me from above. There are more books I could do, but these four are a good start. Contact me for details. I have no issue sending PDF files of these books. I had to reread them many times myself to understand what I wrote. Thanks for your consideration. Marty

Hello all! I am a new author in need of writing critiques to tighten up my prose. I have had a few friends and family, who aren’t necessarily into the sci-fi genre I like to write. They have all said I am pretty good, with each one of them liking different parts of the short story I sent them. I have already submitted my first short story, but it takes 3-6 months to hear back, and I don’t want to spend that time idling. The dilemma, in order for my short story to be published I can’t post it on a public forum. I can only send it to individuals. Anyone in this community willing to help me with critiques? Thanks all!

Hi, new to the group... New to writing, but I have blogged since before blogs were a thing (back in the GeoCities days). I am a disabled vet, was a single dad forever, been retired to the Philippines beach since 2013. They call me Tito Tim (uncle Tim). My first real book is in the hands of beta readers... No feedback yet... Not sure where I am going from here. Probably revising the draft. It is my fourth draft, but I had a bunch of exploratory drafts before that. I am calling it my first draft. Eventually KDP and D2D? I am unsure right now. Need an editor first... 😎🏝️🍹