When I woke up this morning, I found this quote by Seth Godin, thanks to my blogger friend Miss Footloose.

“Guts is the willingness to lose. To be proven wrong, or to fail.”

This was the perfect quote to get me to confess.

Six years ago, I made a stupid mistake; I told everyone I was writing a book.

I started everything backwards. I took a class on how to write a book proposal and made fun of something the teacher said. “It can take six years to write your first book.”

“You’re kidding,” I said. “How can it take that long to write a book? There must be something wrong with the writer.”

Now almost seven years later, I get it; I realize how naïve I was back then.

Throughout those seven years, I’ve gone through many stages of learning the craft and business of writing, and there’s always more to learn. Here is my list.

• Taking writing classes at my local university
• Attending writers’ conferences
• Volunteering at writer related events and/or associations
• Joining critique groups
• Blogging and joining blogger groups online
• Working with 3 editors: story structure, copy/line editor, proofreader
• Consulting with book shepherds, PR experts, editors
• Pitching to agents and editors
• Hiring a web designer/tech guys
• Learning about social media, PR, podcasting, video
• Reading and accumulating information
• Networking and promoting daily
• Submitting to online magazines and communities
• Learning about the ever-changing publishing industry

And now, because of all the wonderful stories writers are submitting through the “My Gutsy Story” series, I’m in the process of setting up a publishing company. Once the paperwork goes through, I shall announce the name and a small online celebration.

The first “My Gutsy Story” mini-anthology with 14 authors contributing is now ready for you to download if you click on the “My Books” above, or the “My Gutsy Story” cover on the right sidebar, and yes, that’s me sitting on a palm tree trunk in Belize. (The mini-anthology is being sold for 99 cents.)

So here’s what I’d like to propose, and I’d like some feedback.

Let’s form a community of “Gutsy Writers” who want to go the indie route.

If you fit into one of the following categories, you’re in the right place.

• You’ve submitted to agents and editors and been rejected.
• You want to be in charge
• You’re tired of waiting
• You have the entrepreneurial spirit
• You plan on speaking to groups about your brand/book
• You’re ready to go
• You’re Gutsy

Would you be interested in joining a FB group for indie-publishers? This would be a group for those who are starting out and want to learn more, and for others to share what they know, or are discovering along the road towards publication. We would discuss information we’ve gathered on indie-publishing: How to start your own publishing business? How to find the right people for editing, cover design, layout, marketing, PR and other helpful links from “experts” we’ve found through our research? LarryJacobson and Carla King, both contributors to the “My Gutsy Story” contest have a ton of knowledge on indie-publishing, and are both extremely successful authors.

This would be an interactive open Facebook group where we:

• Coach and encourage one another
• Offer tips and helpful articles and links
• Links to contacts in the book business we recommend
• Have discussions: the more the merrier.

What should we call our group?

Gutsy Indie Publishers?

Share your ideas in the comment section below

Finally, on a more personal note, During the filming of  The Down Home Alien Blues I was lucky enough to have two professional photographers and a make-up artist take photos for my upcoming travel memoir: Freeways to Flip-Flops: Our Year of Gutsy Living”

These are my two favorite photos. I’d like you to vote on your favorite:

#1

Make-up artist : Coco Covarrubias

Photographer: Erik Fischer

#2

 Make-up artist : Coco Covarrubias

Photographer: Kira Robles

Let me know your thoughts on a FB group for indie publishers, and whether this would be helpful to you. I’m always open to suggestions, and please share with your friends who can join in the conversation.

Thanks for all you help.

Sonia