I want to self-publish because it provides me with the opportunity to sit in the big chair . . . to command the spaceship . . . to see the stars and the heavens . . . to reach them in what would otherwise probably be unattainable in this simple, practical, ordinary life of mine . . . to be the captain in command of a mighty starship, a vessel of exploration, one of peace instead of war and violence and conflict, rather than the propagation of these, and a great many lesser and greater things that come with being human and the human condition, going hand and hand with it, propelled by my words, my stories, my ideas, and will be all that’s left behind when it’s time to for me to go.
If I may humbly say, it’s my legacy to this planet earth and its citizens. The freedom to self-publish gives me options that I otherwise might not have in my personal and professional life.
It gives me room to expand, to grow, to spread my wings and fly. I have the opportunity to make my own opportunities. I get to be in command of my fortune; my fate; my future; my destiny; educing them all as I steer my ship to the port of the North Star, to my home, the repository of words, creativity, and ideas.
I have the fortuity and chance to be in a position of leadership (even though I’m just leading myself—ha-ha!); and have the chance to be in control of my destiny and the creative challenges that come with running my own business, managing my time, working my own hours (but still working—no slacking off here!), making all the creative (and business) decisions and the freedom and flexibility to do what I want, unhindered by someone else’s vision, thoughts, goals, opinion’s, decisions about what’s best (and best for me). (Lifestyle choices, in a way, you might say!)
I’m starting my own small press, strictly to publish my own work. In lieu of signing with a traditional publisher for a small percentage of the profits, where I do most of the work, although, to their credit, they do do a lot and have opportunities that self-publishing does not, where they make the lion’s share, when I can do it myself, retain the rights to my work—which is of the utmost importance to me—and earn all of (or more of) the profits.
I know I accept all the risk and pay all the expenses too. I know the reality of the situation, with respect to the amount of books I’ll sell, and the amount of profit, prosperity, and abundance I’ll see from the sales of said books. Still, I’d rather keep the goose that lays the golden eggs, than give it away for cheap.
Plus, I like the challenges of being my own boss, and of running my own business, it affords me opportunities that I might not otherwise have. The option to self-publish my work and run my own small press and business empowers me, uplifts me, it gives me hope and courage, that it’s my way out of poverty, that I can make my life better and improve my lot in life; that I’m not just stuck here, where I am because of my own mistakes and choices and failures.
I’m moving on. Uncouple this starship from the space station’s docking ring, it’s time to go out into the unchartered heavens, go forward and explore, and be among the stars; the journey awaits.