A warm welcome

I'd like to welcome you all to my brand new blog.

There's not much to say about me. And that which is to say, it's all written on the right, in my profile. Alathea is not my real name and Wright is not my real surname, but no matter how hard you beg or threaten, I won't reveal neither. One has to have a little mystery, don't you think?

Let's get right to the chase. I'm an aspiring author. I've published five books under my real name, but... It's sort of not adequate for the English speaking market, hence - a pseudonym. Currently I have two of those stories submitted to two different publishers and if I'm lucky someone will see some potential in them and give me a chance. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Why am I trying to get "seriously" published when there are all sorts of POD publishers out there just itching to give me an opportunity to publish? Because all those POD publishers out there are just that - caterers to authors. They don't offer editing, you have to provide your own cover art - I'm a writer not a graphic expert! - and if you want to slap your book with an ISBN you have spend quite a few bucks for the privilege.

Why am I trying to get into the e-book business? Because trade publishers - every author's dream! - don't accept unsolicited manuscripts (or query letters) and even less those from un-agented authors. And because I don't have an agent the most obvious choice was e-book publishing. Besides e-book sales are soaring with everyone reading the stories on the go, without the extra space taken by a regular book.

Though I read e-books, I still prefer the regular ones. It is less tiring to the eye and there is a special kind of experience holding a book in your hands, listening to the rustle of the pages as you turn, breathe in the slightly sweet aroma of the paper, feeling the familiar weight in your lap as you take a deep breath before continuing on with the next chapter...

So, yeah, I submitted two manuscripts and now have to wait a month or two to get a reply. My website is ready to launch, but I will do it with the first release. If both replies come back negative... Well, there is always Lulu.