In late 2012 I released my debut sci-fi/fantasy YA novelseries: Blood Melt. It was born out of the reinvention of myself after apersonal crisis. It shone like a beacon of hope in a gloomy corner of a room. Goodor bad reviews, Blood Melt established my commitment firmly in the IndependentAuthors cul de sac.
Following closely behind Blood Melt, came The legacy ofSadie Mae Steven, Book I, The Gordite Witch. Sadie Mae showed a lot of promiseand was even voted on and awarded Book of the Day on a popular readers website.
As a new author I felt like I had found the lane I wassupposed to be in. The road curved and bumped along, filled with speed traps andpotholes, still I pressed on trying to make an indelible mark on theIndependent Author’s movement. Finally, my life’s passion had risen to the top;the career I most loved was all mine.
As I reflect on 2013 I found out that the Vanity Presses optionswere not for me and that going it alone seemed to work better. 2013 has been filledwith many great things and a few not so great. At one fork in the road, aftermany submissions and emails of thanks but no thanks from agents, Eventually, I wasable to secure an agent for my YA novel Blood Melt aswell as an agent for my memoir.
At another stop sign in the road, I found this amazing guyout of Canada that helped me through a series of press releases to secure aradio interview and several blogging gigs. Past that point, a speed bump aroseand I humped over a couple of self-publisher predators that were truly up to nogood. In another bend in the road of my journey I found that the tiny island ofmy father’s birth held an event where I was able to meet some exciting peoplewho truly appreciated meeting me and embraced my writing with a passion.
Although the road of independent authoring has had its twistsand turns, highs and lows I know that this is my road and I take it all instride. As I develop as an author I am amazed at how far I have come in nottaking every negative comment to heart; my anxiety level has gone down, butnever far away, I’m sure.
To sum it up: as I move into 2014 knowing another fork inthe road awaits me. I have new stories to tell, and award winning characters tocreate. A New Adult romance story is brewing within me and it promises to be differentfrom the norm, and a bright street light on my road. As I prepare for therelease of my new project, Egyptian Moon, I want to take a minute to encouragemy fellow writers to travel the path less taken. When the road gets dark andlonely and you’re tired of the bumps and humps, remember I am on the road withyou and I hope that the glow from my small light helps to illuminate yourjourney.
Peace and blessings
Author, Max W. Miller
