That’s a pretty bold title for a blog post, I know. However, if you stick with me and read the
entire post, you’ll see why it actually fits. I want to make sure that this post conveys the
emotional roller-coaster ride that I’ve been on lately. I should warn you-- grab some coffee now...
this is going to be a long one ;)
Over the course of the past two years, I’ve made a whole
host of new friends in the writing community.
I’m so very thankful for that. I’ve
met writers, editors, graphic artists, PR people and the list goes on and on. I’ve also taken quite a bit of time to learn
and hone different skills in the self publishing community and in some cases I’ve
even discovered some of my new passions. Why am I telling you all this? Well, because of the skills that I've
developed and the way that I was raised I reached out a helping hand to anyone
and everyone I could.
You see, I had been burned and scammed by two previous
publishers, so I had to learn a lot about every aspect of the publishing
world. I needed to be thorough, but fast.
At first, I started helping other
authors that had been hurt by publishers-- left with broken dreams of being a
writer and little to no hope of achieving that dream. I had been through that myself and overcame it
and I wanted to help others overcome that hurdle. So, I did.
As time passed others came to me. I helped them as I had everyone else. It's in my nature-- who I AM. All the while I was getting a little behind in
my own work. Some of those I helped
would ask, "Kym, are you sure this won't hinder YOUR work?"
Of course, I said no. I could stay up a little later at night and
finish my own work. No problem. I felt great inside. I was able to help people. (My parents were foster care parents. Helping others is in my blood.) Everything was fine. **Pay attention, here's where the story goes
from all rainbows and unicorns to hell in a handbasket ;)**
After a couple of months, some of these authors stopped
asking if it would hinder my work. They
didn't care anymore. They would call me
at a moment's notice and ask me to format a book, do a cover, make a graphic,
walk them through THEIR story ideas-- I would tell them, "Now's not a good
time. I have a LOT of catching up to do
with my own writing. My fans are getting
restless."
Did they care? No. They kept talking. They paid no attention to how they were
treating someone they claimed as a friend. OR, was it just the way our society
works now? Do for me. And, screw you! *Side note, by this point I was pulling my
hair in clumps and crying silently. Always keep that tough girl candy coating.
All the while your insides are oozing. Yep! That’s me*
Now, this is the part in this story that I should have put
my foot down and said... NO! My work
comes first, but... *see how the doormat thing plays into this?* I didn't. I continued to help them. I was never paid. I never asked for payment. These were my friends? *yeah, right.* They got what they wanted and needed from me
and walked. Only bothering to contact me
when they were once again in need-- which became FAR too often for me to even
take a pee without someone asking me to just wait and pee later...
So, that brings us to today. I have put the "Closed" sign on my
door of helping people. Those few bad
eggs have rotted everything for everyone else. They've ruined the ease with which I once
trusted people. So, please DON'T send me
emails, private messages, instant messages, text messages or anything else
asking for my help. I won't do it. For that, I'm sorry. It HONESTLY hurts my heart. I don’t like NOT helping people. MY family
always said I should have been a social worker... (Hmm, new career path,
maybe?)
The one constant statement made about Self-Publishing 101 is
the genuine care that people see from Jenn and I towards our fans/followers---
know why? Because, we do. But, Self-Publishing is the ONLY way I
can/will help anyone from this point forward. This experience cut me so deeply that I
seriously considered walking away from writing altogether. I’m not.
But, I’d be lying if I told you that I hadn’t considered going
underground never to be heard from again.
*Aww, you’re stuck with me, LOL*
I don't want sympathy. Please don’t comment on this post,
but Kym you’re amazing and etc... but I also don't want people to say,
"Well, Kym's a bitch because she won't help!" You go through what I did and tell me that you
would still trust people. I can't. So, if you can, then you're a better person
than me. Good luck with that!
Now, I’m headed into the batcave to do something that I
haven’t for a very long time! I’m mapping out how I’m going to decorate my new
palace during my world domination tour ;)
Love,
Kymberlee
