I still can't completely believe that this last Christmas Eve marks the fifteenth anniversary of my first book, Naughty List, being published. Its insane to think about how long ago that was, or how much has happened since. I've moved to two different states. I've bought multiple properties. I've had multiple evil day jobs. I've survived a global pandemic. And the biggest change of all, I've become a mom.
And the publishing world has changed almost as dramatically since that time too. When I first published we were in the golden age of ebooks, spurred on by Fifty Shades of Gray and the kindle explosion, epublishers and self-publishing were booming. People couldn't get enough spicy books. And I happily got to join along on that ride. I enjoyed the benefits of everyone falling in love with smut books at the same time as I was. It was a great time to be starting out. So many people were excited and eager to join in, to help, to support each other.
Over time the industry has changed. Some changes I really love. I love all the different books that are out there. Back when I first started publishing, the big publishers were still in charge of what books were being published, even self-publishing. Not directly, but we were still all getting our cues from the big guys. We really believed to be successful, we had to stay in their box. But so many amazing authors have proven that's not true. I don't know anyone back in those early days that would have thought to write a book where the main character falls in love with a priest, or a planet of horned six foot tall blue men, but Sierra Simone and Ruby Dixon have shown us there is a home for any kind of book, if the characters are amazing and the writing fantastic.
But on the downside of these changes, there are more demands on authors than ever before. No longer can being with a good publisher, and just having that shelf space in the bookstore or on the digital shelves be enough. You need to be everywhere, do everything, just on the chance that you'll find the readers that love you. Its made it harder for authors, and for readers.
I used to buy everything that Samhain published, because I knew everyone of their books would be fantastic. Now it takes me more work to find the authors I love. But when I do, its the best feeling ever. And with social media it feels like the book world has become more segregated. I love booktok and bookstagram, but it can often wish I could see more of the book world. I'm convinced there are so many amazing books and authors out there that I would love, if the algorithm would just reveal them to me.
But regardless, it is still an industry I am proud to be a part of. And always will be. No matter what difficulties might be thrown in its way, an industry for women by women always rises to the top. The romance world is always at the forefront. Learning new things, embracing new concepts, showing the publishing world how its done. I've never met a more hardworking, determined, fun, creative, amazing group of women than I have in the romance community.
My life also looks completely different now than it did back then, except for one thing. My love of reading and books has never left me. Even now, when I'm more sleep deprived than I've ever been before, I still find time to read. I still love books.
And I can't wait to see what the next fifteen years will bring me. And this amazing industry. If the last fifteen years have taught me anything, its that I couldn't possibly predict all the changes, opportunities and excitement that will be coming our way. And that is fine with me
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