Books From Our Backyard
I’m in that book there! Luckily, they didn’t actually type it on this typewriter.
(Picture by QWC)
Every year, the Queensland Writers Centre (QWC, my state’s writing association) produces Books From Our Backyard, a catalogue of all the books released in the last year by Queensland authors. If you live in the state and have a book published – whichever way you have it published – you can submit to be listed in this catalogue.
Last night, the 2012 edition of the catalogue was launched, and I was pleased to have two books listed in it: books 2 and 3 of The Apocalypse Blog. They’re listed alongside traditionally published books and other self-published books, in a field of over 170 authors.
It’s one of those things that makes me realise that hey, I’m a published author now. I’m standing up by those who have been ‘properly’ published, and for once, I felt like an equal rather than an amateur with aspirations. After all, I’m selling books and reaching into readers’ lives and minds.
The speakers at the launch were even kind enough to call out the self-published authors and include them in the congratulations that were being given to the authors in the catalogue.
It feels like a step. It feels like a barrier being eroded. I’m in the process of tidying up a traditional vs independent publishing post about kudos, and maybe this will give me a reason to revisit the thoughts in there. Maybe it’ll shine a new light on it. At the least, it offers some hope or proof that maybe things really are changing.
It was a lovely evening, though I knew surprisingly few people in the room. It was great to feel included, involved, and proud to put out leaflets advertising my books among the examples laid out on display.
Now word of my work is reaching out through new channels. Will it gain me more readers and sales? Well, I hope so. And now I have a bunch of leaflets that I need to find a home for; perhaps the library or a big bookstore will put them out for me.
I feel accomplished. Now, I should line up my next ebook release, and see if I can make my entry in next year’s Books From Our Backyard even better.
Cameron Trost says:
Hi Melanie,
It was a nice event, wasn’t it? Like you, I didn’t know many people there but I struck up a conversation with some of the other writers. I write short stories, some of which have been published traditionally and others self-published. It’s all the same to me. If you put a lot of imagination into it, followed by hard work editing and rewriting until you’re really happy, then it’ll be a great work of fiction. Anyway, all the best.
Regards,
Cameron Trost
July 3rd, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Mel says:
Hi Cameron!
It was a lovely event. I wish I’d been able to meet more of the writers.
Completely agree about great works of fiction not being defined by how they’re pubilshed. It’s not a measure of quality or desperation the same way it used to be.
Good luck with your stories. 🙂
July 4th, 2013 at 8:48 am
Francisco says:
Congratulations on being recognised.
July 6th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
Mel says:
Thanks, Francisco! 🙂
July 7th, 2013 at 7:46 pm