Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Quality Vs. Integrity

I could have called this post "Soul Savers 5 Release News," because I do have news for you. However, this news deserves more than a quick and simple announcement. Because, you see, although it may be simple, it's not easy. Not for me. And you, my awesome readers, deserve more.

Which is really what it's all about.

"Um ... what?" you say. Let me explain by starting with a couple of examples.

Example #1 - An Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance series that's extremely popular, best-selling, with a TV show and everything. I started reading it years ago. I stopped a little over halfway through because the author was losing me. The quality of the stories had gone from good to meh, and when the next book came out, I just wasn't interested at the time. I've never caught up. I've heard it's gone downhill even more, so I probably never will.

Example #2 - An Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance series that's extremely popular, best-selling, doesn't have a TV show but should, with a fabulous on-going story line. I've only read the first six because they came in a box set. There's no specific reason I haven't caught up, except that the books haven't been right at my fingertips like the hundreds that are on my shelves and my ereader. I've heard the most recent release is amazing. I can't think of any fans who have complained about their interest sliding as the series progresses.

I've always been scared to death that the Soul Savers Series would become like Example #1. With each book, I've worked hard to make it better than the last one. Readers tell me the series keeps getting better, and if reviews are any indication, that must be true. I really like this trend. I want to stay on it. I want you to love each book just as much if not more than the others. I want to be Example #2.

But this is where my integrity comes in. See, at the end of last August, when we were getting ready to release Power, we didn't want to leave you hanging with nothing about the next book. So I at least gave you a release time of Spring 2013. That was 8-9 months - surely I could have it written, revised, edited, polished, and formatted by Spring.

At that time, however, I didn't expect to be going to the London Book Fair, doing a UK tour and attending RT Booklovers in Spring 2013, causing me to basically lose a full month of productivity. I also didn't anticipate writing and releasing another book - The Space Between - right before then. Toward the end of 2012, when we started looking hard at our 2013 production calendar, I figured, "Well, June 21st is technically the first day of Summer, but I can do it. I've made a promise, and hopefully this is close enough to Spring 2013 that readers will forgive me."

So way back before I even started writing the book, I publicly announced a release date. I also made a commitment to myself to write more and write faster. After all, I'm a writer. I'm a full-time writer now. Others produce lots faster than I do, so I need to pick up the pace. I. Can. Do. This.

Except I can't. I can't bring myself to rush my writing and editing process just to get a book out on a certain date although it may not be the best it could possibly be. I cringe every time I read a book that's been hurried to market before it's ready. Indies have been slowly overcoming the low quality stigma, only for it to return as these rushed books are full of errors. Some have even become best-sellers, but the poor editing and proofreading is going to backlash on all of us. I can't bring myself to contribute to that. I also can't bring myself to destroy my health and family and home life any more than I already have.

Most of all, I can't bring myself to disappoint you. As I said in the beginning, you deserve so much more from me. You deserve the best damn book I can possibly write for you. You deserve an amazing story that you can't put down until the last page is turned. You have stuck with me and the series thus far - you deserve only my best.

And I've made the decision, along with my publisher, that you deserve a high quality book that you'll get to read one day this summer, rather than a crappy story you might read on a specific day in June. I hate - let me say it again, HATE - backing out on a release date. I've never missed one before and usually deliver early. I feel like I'm breaking a promise, and it's killing me.

But ... I've also set a promise of a good book for you. I hope Soul Savers Book 5 won't break that promise, especially since you have to wait even longer for it. I know right now, though, that if I were to release it on June 21st, you would totally hate it. And I'd rather keep the promise of quality than the promise of a date (which means I won't be giving a specific date right now - just sometime this summer).

So I guess it's not really quality vs. integrity. It's quality and integrity. I can live with that. I hope you can, too. *pleading smile* okay *drops on knees and begs and kisses your feet*

I thank you in advance for your understanding and support and forgiveness. Like I said, I hope the story in Book 5 will make up for it.

Bottom line:

Soul Savers 5 Coming Summer 2013


20 comments:

  1. Do what you have to do sweetie . We love you no matter what . We have to wait ,so what we readers know it WILL be worth it . You are only human and you also have a family to take care of .
    Bigg huggs ♥♥♥

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  2. I don't mind waiting - Tristan is well worth waiting for!

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  3. Kristie,your books are amazing and you were lovely when I met you in Bristol(even when I was babbling away....it's not every day you meet your favourite author!),yes I would love to be sat reading the next book right now,but that will always be my view on your books,they are that good that as soon as one ends I want the next one! I appreciate your honesty,as I am sure your other fans will. I would rather wait and read the book as you want it to be with the usual high quality than be disappointed....although I honestly don't think you could disappoint us :) Elsa xx

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  4. You take as long as you need to write SS5. The first 4 books and the novella have set a standard for your writing--awesome. Your readers would rather wait a few extra weeks and get your best than have you rush just to get a book out.

    Do what you have to do to be comfortable with SS5. We'll wait.

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  5. We love your books because you take pride in what you put into it and the depth of the characters and story lines im sure all your readers will be with me in this one and say that your not disappointing us but just giving us a better read and something to look forward to when the sun will hopefully start to shine in summer 2013 and if the sun dose not shine in the UK 2013 well ad least we can curl up with your book on the sofa and be transported into your book and out of our reality. ;0). Have fun writing it as im looking forward to reading it. p.s. after Ive bought it im going to try and get it signed (aka rose Morgan)

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  6. Here here to all of the above, I would rather wait for the book and have it how you wanted it to be, than have a poor version for the sake of a little patience. We love you and your books x

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  7. Food for thought... #1 Family always come first. #2 You have diffidently earned your integrity. #3 Book 5 will be even better because you set a standard of greatness. Just remember, with everything that is happening in the world today, your books take us, the readers, to a place beyond our imagination. So take your time. It will be well worth the wait.

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  8. Unfortunately your release date is not what you thought it should be but making this choice shows greater character and integrity to your stories than rushing your story to make a date. I respect you so much more knowing that you care enough about your fans to put out a book we will love and that you are proud of putting your name on!!!! Do what you got to do... Chica
    Heather
    Reno

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  9. It will be worth the wait. Definately think that this story should be made into a movie or TV series.

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  10. Hey Kristie, thanks for letting us know. I'll be anxiously awaiting the release... when you are good and ready. Love your books!

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  11. Kristie I have been reading since a very young age. My Mom used to get upset because I was always off somewhere reading. My love of books as only grown over the years. I have shared my love of books with my fifteen yr old son since he was around a year old. I love that truly great books let me visualize what Im reading. I have also learned that great books cant be rushed simply to make a few people happy when a truly great book will make millions happy. I also want to thank you for the truly great books you create. I have read my share of all kinds and I love yours and patiently wait for #5!!
    Keep up the great!!!!! work

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  12. I love your work and specifically the Soul Savers Series. I have been looking everywhere for the 5th book and then I found this blog. I respect your honesty and I am more than willing to wait for book 5 knowing it will be great. You are a great talent and to compromise that for a ‘date’ would be horrible. Thank you for your books and I will be excitedly awaiting more :)

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  13. I am very glad that everyone else feels the same as I do. We love your series and if we must wait, we will. The fact that you issued a personal and heartfelt statement as opposed to some generic press-release, is just another reason the vast majority of your readers love you so. We will forget the wait as soon as we have it in our hot little hands... but you however, would have regretted it for an eternity if you had published anything less than perfect. So take a bit longer, but not TOO long... we WILL hang you by your toenails, whip you with wet noodles and pelt you with cotton balls... if you make us wait TOO LONG.. bahahaha..

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  14. waiting....patiently.....oh God give me strength LOL

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  15. You're very wise my dear. The wait will be worth it, I have no doubt!

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  16. I'm re reading all the books again so hopefully by the time I get to the end of book 4 I can carry on with the new one the cover looks brill I can't wait xxx

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  17. As long as it's going to be release this year I'm more than happy to wait for it. I truly love your books especially the Soul Savers series. Thank you!!!!

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  18. Don't sweat it Kristie, your books are worth waiting for even if you have to push back release dates. You shouldn't feel bad x

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  19. well worth waiting for this story to continue also it should most definitely be made into a tv series or a trilogy of films

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  20. well worth the wait for this story and someone should most definitely make a tv series or film trilogy of this brilliant story

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