Guest post: The Dawn of Angels by Vivienne Malynn and Sean Kade

Hello everyone! I'm so glad to have Sean, one of the co-authors of The Dawn of Angels, doing the special guest post in this book tour presented by Hollow Tours!

Why did I become an Indie author?

Let’s face it, every author dreams of seeing their book in Barnes and Noble on a large display at the front or at least sitting somewhat conspicuously on the shelf in the right section. I know I have. So why would one throw away a chance at that recognition to become an indie author. The easy answer is that I’m not good enough to be published by the big publishers, so why try.  While I admit this may be the case (the jury is still out), to use it as the only reason for a person to write indie, is not a fair representation of a growing sector of artists.

I was the ghost writer for a book that was published—a memoir. We even got a popular local publisher to publish it. For three months, they marketed it fairly well and we sold about 8,000 copies. Not bad for a small area publisher. For each book we got about a dollar, nothing to complain about until you see how much the customer had to pay. For every dollar we got, the customer paid at least twelve dollars, often more. This seemed ludicrous. Did it really take that much to put the book out? The really outrageous thing was the ebook prices, which were just as high. No one can argue printing costs for an ebook.

As an independent author, I can post my book at a price much lower. In my case, I will not sell a book above $2.99. I still get double the amount I would going through a publisher, but at a far reduced cost to the customer. Even with print on demand, I can provide a far greater savings. Granted the publishers do market the books and this can be costly. But this marketing last on average three months and then the book is thrown by the way side and forgotten in the avalanche of new books coming. It still does not justify the costs.

There is also a deeper consequence of mainstream publishing. Mainstream publishers tend to gravitate toward gimmicks and trends. They inhibit true creative expression that exists in other art forms by only forwarding those books that will make them a buck. For years this has been a detriment to writing as authors are forced to conform their styles of writing to that which publishers will accept. A similar affect has affected music, driving out true talent for the counterfeit kind found in the modern pop star.

The beauty of the internet and digital books is that it opens a new gateway of expression that circumvents that corporate skittishness that prevents them taking a risk on a new style of writing. Now an author can take those creative risks. Maybe it will work out, maybe it won’t. I know that I have not explored the ends of this open space with my writing, but I hope to in the future. My true hope is that others will take hold of the vision and explore its bounds.

Sure there will be a lot junk out there, but hopefully in the mix will emerge something truly amazing. That is the magnificence of the internet, out of its seeming chaos comes the most awe-inspiring innovations and creations. Who would have guessed that through social networks revolutions would be plotted and executed to take down dictatorships? Who would have guessed that an encyclopedia or learning resource could emerge completely on volunteer contributions? That is the nature of human interaction. It is both unpredictable and remarkable. It is the essence of art and the essence of what makes us human. It is the reason that I am an Indie author. 

The Dawn of Angels

by Vivienne Malynn and Sean Kade

Left by her mother at a young age, Kyra has grown-up in the foster system, leaving her angry and hateful towards the world. The only person she can trust is Hammond, her case worker who has watched over her since the time her mother left. When Hammond places Kyra in a foster home located in a small town, strange things begin happening and Kyra starts unraveling the mystery of her past. When Kyra’s life is threatened, she is saved by an angel, her guardian angel, Ashur, who falls from heaven to save her. Together, Ashur and Kyra must figure out why her life is in danger and stop a strange cult from bringing about the end of days.

   Website * Amazon

Thank you very much for taking your time writing for this guest post, Sean! Your view of technology and social network is amazing! I'm really speechless after reading this guest post. :)

PS: There is really cool giveaway going on, so you should check it on this Hollow Tours post!