Does it Matter I'm Not a Big Name Mystery Author?

Honestly? Well, sure I'd love for my books and my name to be better known than I am--but I'm grateful for so many other things.

Over the years I've gathered many loyal fans for both of my series. Some have become great friends--both in real life and on line. Ever so often, I get to meet an online friend, and believe me that is so much fun.

What have I gotten out of writing so many books? Not a lot of money, that's for sure. For those who don't know, at this point in my life I have two publishers. My Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries are published by Mundania Press, and the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novels by Oak Tree Press. There are costs that go into publishing a book, even an ebook. And when a book is purchased, whoever is the wholesaler (Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Ingrams etc.) gets the first cut, then the publisher, and the author last of all. Usually the smallest percentage.

You might ask why don't I self-publish and the answer is simple, I don't want to learn how to format for print and e-books (two different processes) or pay someone to do it, or design a cover--or pay someone to do it, buy ISBN numbers, or deal with those who sell the books on line or to bookstores. If all this had been possible eons ago when I was much younger, I might have considered this route.

So here I am, with all these many books under my belt. Some I think are really good and I wish they'd had a bigger readership. As for all of them I believe I'm a good storyteller--and no matter what, as long as I can, I'll keep on weaving words together to find out what my characters (who seem like real people to me) are up to. 

So whether you know me as Marilyn Meredith for F. M. Meredith and you read my books, I thank you.



The latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series--but I am working on the next one.


The latest in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series--and the next one is with an editor now.

Marilyn aka F. M. Meredith

Comments

jrlindermuth said…
Great post, Marilyn. And you are a Big Name to your many fans.
I enjoy what I do, and if there are those who enjoy it too, then it's worth the doing. Thanks, John.
M.M. Gornell said…
You're a BIG NAME author to me! Good post!
Lorna Collins - said…
You're a much better author than many who are much better known. Why you aren't recognized for the brilliant storyteller you are is beyond me. But then, if I knew the answer, I'd be better known, too.
Ahh, Madeline and Lorna, you're both sweet, thank you!
Thonie Hevron said…
I love your books. I'm a fan!
GBPool said…
A lot of writers give up when they don't get the multi-million dollar deal or maybe they can't find a publisher. But if you are a writer, you write. Whether it's for twenty or twenty thousand. And the fact you have such devoted fans, Marilyn, says you followed your dream and achieved it. And you are an inspiration to others.
Thank you, Thonie and GB. I am happy with what I've accomplished, and love those who do ready my books.

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