NYT "Indie" Bestseller Breaks Down Barriers

"You wanna win an Edgar? You gotta look this guy up."






Thriller author, Debbi Mack has hit the New York Times Bestsellers list not once but twice this past spring with her novel Identity Crisis. What makes her story amazing is that she is an entirely self-published author. In her blog of July 13 at her popular blog site, My Life on the Mid-List, she points out that even after landing what is arguably one of the most coveted achievements any writer can hope for, she sent a press release about the event to Mystery Writers of America fully assuming they wouldn't acknowledge it since she is an indie. As many of you know, indies aren't recognized by the organization. Technically speaking anyway.

But to her surprise, the MWA not only made mention of her barrier breaking achievement, they even extended a heartfelt congratulations. As Debbi astutely points out, they congratulations showed real "class."

Here's Debbi's blog in its entirety:

A great deal of criticism has been directed at certain writers organizations for holding outdated views about self-publishing and the appropriate way to start a career as an author.

I, myself, have directed such criticisms. Now, without changing my position, I’d like to acknowledge that not all such organizations are completely blind to my achievements as a self-published author.

Let me start off by explaining that when my novel IDENTITY CRISIS hit the New York Times bestseller list, I sent out press releases that were largely ignored. I found this a bit bewildering, but hey … whatever, I figured I had to move on and keep writing and doing other things. One of the publications I notified was the newsletter for the local chapter of the Mystery Writers of America (MWA). However, knowing MWA’s position on self-publishing, I submitted my news item and pretty much forgot about it.

So, needless to say, it came as a happy surprise to see the following announcement run in the member news section of the latest edition of “Capitol Crimes” the Mystery Writers of America, Mid-Atlantic Chapter newsletter, which I received today:

Debbi Mack’s self-published debut novel Identity Crisis recently hit the New York Times eBook bestseller list. Twice! First, on March 28, then again on April 3. Congratulations, Debbi!

Now … say what you like. That’s not just nice. That shows real class.

Thank you very much, MWA Mid-Atlantic Chapter! That was very kind.

Having just returned from the ITW Thrillerfest where I was treated with a similar respect afforded Mack (and not because I've published with the biggies, but because I'm treated like a real writer and bestseller), I can most definitely see the barriers and walls being demolished, as indie authors and presses become a viable publishing alternative not only for newbies, but for legacy writers who, like me, have been around the block a few times. In the end, I believe the reader really doesn't care who the hell publishes your book so long as it's good and they feel they've gotten their money's worth and more.

Perhaps organizations like MWA and ITW are beginning to feel the same way.

Congrats Debbi, you deserve it.

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