What pattern historically exists for serious writers about serious business? They invest huge amounts of time and effort in producing speculative manuscripts most of which will never be seen by the public. This has not changed, in essence, since Homer. Until now.
Piece by piece a legitimate publishing protocol has been put in place for authors to maintain full creative control, absolute marketing direction, and final product design while branding and proving their talent. The central aspect of this self-publishing edifice is KDP, Kindle Digital Publishing, but there is more to it than that.
I'm a writer, not a poseur, so I write workmanlike prose on my smartphone and upload it to Kindle Vella where a developing market exists. When I need literary copy, I use my Rocketbook, write pen on paper, scan it with my phone into the app which transcribes it and files it. With minimal editing I am published, before the public and speculating on their dime, not mine.
My final step is to go on Likewise, the discovery app, and list my story. The people on there are looking for new talent and quality material, so they will give it a look.
Every aspect of this new regimen dovetails perfectly and cheaply. I can demonstrate my talent at almost no extra cost. I can develop a following. I am, with little overhead, in the business of writing, a participant in the marketplace of ideas.
We have in whoring after Mammon managed to create a full access, full payoff, self-publishing system. We have moved erratically to the light like a nearsighted squirrel and chanced upon the prized walnut of our version of Western Civilization. Adam Smith would be proud of us. Plato, who had a thing about casual tales told by casual persons, would condemn us.
We can however take comfort in this secular movement in a Byzantine age that increases original thought that, ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make ye free, we have moved ad Dei gloriam.
Nice moment.
Do Well and Be Well.
Kindle Vella
Civilizado; A Dog with a License
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