I never wrote a rant in a blog before but I have never been compelled to do so before today. Those of you who know me, know that I'm usually a mild mannered person who keeps his opinions to himself. But I can't, and won't, contain this one.

I spent the last 12 + years of my life writing. I enjoyed every minute of it and I plan to continue as long as I am physically and/or mentally able. I self-published my first book in 2005 and continued with two more. I quickly pulled them from the market in 2006 because I was looking for a new and better option. I found that option by opening my own publishing company, Destifire Books, in June 2007. Two years later, I have absolutely no regrets in “publishing” this way (you'll see why I use quotes in just a minute). Sure, I don't make a profit, in fact I'm lucky if I break even. But I enjoy every minute of this whole experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

So now, if you didn't already know, you know where I am coming from. There are a number of traditionally published authors that have negative things to say about the way I carry out my business. These unnamed authors basically say that I am not a published author. In fact, they decided that I am “in print”. I mean no disrespect to most of the traditionally published out there, I am friends with some of you and have respect for many of you. But I have come across my share in the three years of promoting myself and I am tired of listening to it. I know that there are many, many more authors like myself out there and I feel it is time someone makes a statement on our behalf. So here is MY statement to all of those people that look down at us “self-published” or “independent” authors.

Dictionary.com has this definition for publishing: to issue (printed or otherwise reproduced textual or graphic material, computer software, etc.) for sale or distribution to the public. By this definition, I am indeed published. Perhaps those people who do not consider me “published” need to buy a dictionary. But let me put your doubts to rest, just in case. Anyone can go to Amazon.com and buy the three books I have on the market. They can also be ordered through many independent bookstores. Therefore, by definition, I am published. And so are the countless others out there in my situation.

In addition, just because we are self-published, some of us by choice (like me), doesn't mean we are any less of a writer than you. Twelve years of writing experience, countless tips from writing experts, fantastic reader and critical reviews, and an award nomination is what I have to my name. Some of you that look down on us don't even have half of that. And technically, the reviews and nomination took place in less than 3 years (as that is the amount of time I have actually been promoting myself).

I have professionally produced books with great looking covers (some I did myself and some by Laura Diehl, a professional illustrator). My books would sit nicely next to yours if less people thought the way you did and were more accepting. In fact, mine look better than some of yours (stated by many people). And guess what, you won't find too many more errors than you would in a traditionally published book. I have a number of websites for my work and, even though I made them myself, they are at least on the same level as yours.

I go on book tours and work with a growing number of bookstores, libraries, and organizations. So what if they didn't accept me three years ago; they are starting to now. I didn't get pushed on them by a team of people that work with them on a daily basis and so they didn't have a reason to listen in the beginning. But I worked to earn their respect and it feels great to know that I did.

I feel that I know a great deal about the publishing industry because I eat, sleep, breathe, and live it. I work myself to exhaustion every day to continue living my dream and bettering it. I know there will come a day where we will be equal to you in the eyes of everyone, not just some. It happened in the music and movie industry. It will happen in the publishing industry as well. I would greatly appreciate it if you would step off your high horse and accept that people “outside the box” are writers, many of them talented. And if you can't do that, then at least keep your comments to yourself.

Okay, now that I am finished ranting, and trying to calm down, I want to take a moment to make this positive. Thank you to all of my readers, friends, writers and the traditionally published authors out there that accept me (and us) for what I am. A passionate writer living a dream and trying to better himself everyday.

-Tom

P.S. Hopefully my emotions didn't block my editing too much!