Traditional or Self-Published

It’s been a few years now since I completed the first draft of the manuscript for my first (as yet unpublished) novel. At the time I still had the level of excitement and expectation that occurs naturally before the reality of the difficulty of the publishing business sets in. Now, years later after struggles with rejections and the ‘interruptions of every day life, I still sometimes question what I am doing. Many people have asked why my book isn’t published. The quizzical looks on their faces leave no doubts about their thoughts. After all so many people are self-published, so why – especially for those who have read my manuscript aren’t I doing the same thing?

I always dreamed of getting an agent to sell my work, and of getting a decent (read that anyway you wish) offer from a publisher on the table. That has not happened. Yet.

It was my birthday on the 7th and I travelled to Dubai for a few days.

It wasn’t a ‘milestone’ birthday, but I’ve always loved birthdays and I typically experience anticipation and butterflies in my stomach as soon as November 1st rolls around. But this year was different. I was excited and had a fabulous trip, but there was something nagging at the back my mind. It might be my new age, but I have been questioning and praying a lot about my purpose. And about how I spend my time. Most of us write in our ‘spare’ time. Spare time is carved out of so much busyness, and is usually born out of sleep time.

In my musings I remember something the Lord said to me many years ago. You will never be fulfilled unless you’re living my purpose for your life. So. How do I work that purpose into my life? Or most importantly, how do I make my purpose my life?

This comes down to time and timing for me. Between working full-time, studying for a coaching diploma, learning French (supposedly) and family, I feel (as I’m sure everyone in this group does) that there are not enough hours in the day. But the pressure to achieve does sometimes keep me up at night. So while on holiday I asked the Lord to help me. And He led me to do a few things, and after a series of events I made the decision to release my book on Kindle. I was a bit hesitant to state that on this forum for fear of reprisals from people who think less of self-published authors, but I quickly got over that. I have to do what I need to for now. Only God knows what doors He will open for me though this.

I think that the business side of publishing is a many-tentacled beast. The love and joy of writing is not enough to be successful. As I always say to a few of my loved ones, everyone has their own journey to take. This is one step in mine.

Ufuoma Daniella Ojo is a Senior Technical Author and Software Trainer. She lives in Potters Bar just outside London. She is editing her manuscript and working on a story set in Nigeria, will be kindle publishing, but is still trusting God for connections leading to publication.