It’s with much regret that I have to acknowledge that this is probably my last year as a writer. I can ruminate, cogitate, and chew over this indefinitely, bottom line is, I’m not making any money. I’m not sure what the problem is, and at this juncture it really doesn’t matter one way or another. If people want to read my books they’ll buy them. Since they don’t I have to conclude that they don’t want to read them. That being the case there’s no real reason for me to write them. I can’t keep putting my heart and soul into this only to get my heart broken every month when statements come out.
I know that I have some true blue, diehard fans, and I’m really sorry to disappoint you but I’ve reached the point that I’m not even breaking even anymore. I’m sure you can understand why I’ve decided to simply give up the ghost. Buttercream, which is scheduled for release in mid-July will be my last book. Again, thank you ever so much for the years of support, and I’m sorry it has to end this way.
the one who writes 
Ros,
I’ve been where you’re at at least a dozen time, so have most of the writers that I know. I’m not attempting to talk you out of this as I believe we as writers do not choose this career but that it choose us. Perhaps a break from all of this and time to enjoy the family and new baby will rejuvenate. If not, I still wish you all the best. Your fans will still be here (ME) if and when you ever decide to return.
All the best
Dyanne
I hate that! I have wanted to write! I hope that you can still do it, maybe at another level! I’m sure your decision was a hard one. You have two beautiful boys and a husband so I’m sure you will be busy. Best of luck!
I am so sorry it’s come to this Ros. Like Dyanne said, I will be here if you ever decide to return to writing. You have real talent.
I am sorry to hear that you will no longer be writing, but I can understand your feelings. I’ve enjoyed reading your books, and I love this blog. Perhaps you need to take a little break, and one day, if God willing, you may decide to write again. If not, please know that I will always be a fan of yours, and that I wish you all the best. Take care of yourself and your beautiful family. God Bless!
I too hate to hear that. I’ve read all of your books and have enjoyed them. Good luck.
Hi Roslyn, sorry to hear that! I don’t think the world was ready for you, but the world wasn’t ready for most influential people who made a real difference and contribution.
Still, I don’t think I speak for myself when I say I admire you for how far you’ve come and much you’ve done regardless.
The best to you and your family 🙂
Roslyn, I’ve been your fan since Rock Star and I am going to miss your writing a whole lot, but I completely understand. Your writing has meant so much to me and it is sad to see you go. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
I do enjoy your books but you have to do what’s best for you and your family.
Hugs
Ros, so sorry to hear but I wish you the best.
😦
Hey Ros, take some time off instead, I know this is rough, but consider it. It may also be the lack of publicity? But I do think the entire romance genre might be a little saturated at the moment, and of course the IR combination you’re writing may limit the audience. Please hang in there. Enjoy the new precious pumpkin and maybe you might come back to this eventually. You are way too good to just stop (heck I’ve just started getting into it). However, you have our support and understanding.
Btw, thank you so much for your candid honesty, that was very ‘big” of you.
I am going to miss your writing,please take care.
I was heartbroken to hear that you are going to give up writing. You are by far the best writer in your genre. But the best of luck to you and your family.
Will miss the good writing
Carolyn Davis
Speaking as a reader, I do understand. In fact, I expect this from more of my favourite I/R authors. I’m going to be very bloody forthright and bugger whoever is offended as I’m effing FED UP!. This is what I’ve noticed. BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE. It always must be free, free, free. It breaks my heart, but I somehow knew it, and I’m expecting more authors of I/R romances to throw in the towel. VERY BLOODY SAD. VERY, Mrs Roz!!!!!!!
What do you think your next career move will be (are you going to go back to social work in a different arena or try a new career entirely), or is your plan to remain a stay-at-home mom?
I understand where you’re coming from looking at my own recent statement. It is hard to write enthusiastically when you don’t get a return on your investment. I consider writing a joy but not a hobby.
Our art choses us we do not chose it. I work at Emerson College and received my BFA in Writing and Publishing and my MFA in Fiction. At no point when pursuing my degree did I ever think I would make money. I just wanted to write. In the time between receiving undergraduate and graduate degree I walked away from writing but like that Alice Walker poem called ‘I Said To Poetry.’ I suggest you read it. It’s about her wanting to walk away from writing. I had a writing instructor tell a class that if they are in writing to make money they should walk out of his class but if they are in writing because its an obsession, it’s what keeps them sane, awake at night, etc. Then you are meant to write.
Now even some of the best writers particularly in literary fiction teach. One of my instructors Don Lee got rave reviews in the NY Times Literary Review and yet he has to teach to make an income.
Roslyn, you may be at the crossroads. You may realize that your writing may change genres. Maybe romance is too confining. Maybe you need to branch out. Maybe you need to do a writers conference get out of your head. Or maybe you need to pull an S.E. Hinton. She wrote the Outsiders when she was fifteen. She went to a write a few more and then walked away, got married, raised a family and a few years ago published her first book. Maybe this is your path.
Or maybe you need to look at the books like Rock Star that really touched so many people. You are what we in the literary fiction world call a ‘genre writer.’ Genre writers have to please their audience. Maybe you need to enter the world of literary fiction. There are romance themed books in literary fiction. I HIGHLY recommend Kim McLarin’s Meeting of the Waters. She is a writer-in-residence at Emerson College and her second novel was not intended to be romance but its marketed that way. It is also considered literary fiction.
I hope you don’t stop writing but I think maybe you should consider the fact that you’ve outgrown romance and explore writing in other genres. Also, teaching can be a way to keep you involved, make you some money, and maybe re-ignite your literary fire.
Good Luck!!!
Hello Miss Rosalyn,
I sing, and I have heard this very same sadness among my peers who are not making money at their art. When I started this journey 5+ years ago to be a professional singer, I NEVER thought it was about making money, but about taking my gift and honing it as finely as I could. Singing is such a source of joy for me, a source that keeps me on an even, upbeat keel when life’s storms are raging around me. I suspect writing is that for you.
Now I will also say that on payday I will go on line and buy Rock Star and one other …
I just discovered your blog tonight. There was a link on Beyond Black and White that I followed. I have been reading your blog entries and have just saved your site under my favorites. I too am a writer, among other things, and I totally understand. You can say that you have tried and you gave it that good ol effort. Sometimes you got to know when to fold or when to keep going. I’m sure you have other gifts and talents that you can explore and who knows maybe some publisher somewhere will discover you a year from now and you will get a great book deal. Life works like that you know. Good luck in all your endeavors. I will certainly be following your blog.
OMG!! I’ve just started reading your book, Rock Star, and by the end of the first chapter I knew I wanted to read more of your books. I may be the new kid on the block, but I just found out about you. I love to read and I’m always looking for new authors. You are the second author this year that has stated that you will no longer be writing. It’s very disappointing to hear, but I understand. Are writers going through the same things as musicians? Is the publishing industry treating the writers the same way the music industry treats its artists? Are publishers being too greedy? Does technology has anything to do with it?
Take Care and I wish you the Best!
I totally understand. My recommendation is in line with several others stated. Take a break, change genres, keep it as a side hobby/passion or just quit. However, don’t forget you can always come back to writing as it suits you. Also, please consider writing an autobiography down the road. I’d love to learn more about you as the person… not just the writer.
Noooooooo! Don’t get rid of your passion!! Maybe you should have a different methodology as to marketing and getting your book out there, but don’t stop writing.
I really hate that you will not be writing any more. I love your books; I’ve read them all! I do understand your position, but I hope you will re-consider and continue to share your awesome gift.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories with us!
I understand, and hope something will work out where you are allowed to practice your art and make a living doing it. I’ve followed your works, and you are talent, Roz.
Hi Ros,
Sorry to hear that you are giving up but I totally understand your frustration. I agree and disagree with the poster above who said you should cross genre’s and that romance may be too confining, but I wholeheartedly understand that we authors do write for a very under appreciated genre I/R and that may indeed limit your exposure and marketing within literary fiction. And though I plan to explore ‘women’s fiction’ someday because as I grow as an author so does my talent – I will never deviate totally from what inspires me. For me that remains to be turbulent tales from the heart. Okay…. that being said, I have to comment on what you’ve shared about not making money.
I am not trying to downplay your achievements, you clearly have a larger reader base than I do. But I have to share with you that you can indeed make money off your art but in the most non-traditional type of ways. Now I know most traditionally published authors are frowning on us self-published authors because of the quality that is produced, and I wholly concede that what I do to promote my work as a self published author is very tiring, costly, and all consuming, but the profits are there. And thanks to the e-reader audience they are climbing.
Venues like Amazon, B&N, IBookstore, ARE, Smashwords are offering up to 70% royalties. Self-publishing a novella or novel length story in I/R romance can average you between 5 to 7K a month with a backlist of a minnimum of 10 books. This of course is with books priced between $2.99 and $5.99. I’ve tracked sales for over six months and used other tactics I can talk with you further to understand trending in purchases, how to gain exposure on Amazon / Smashwords / B&N. But the work is all on you. And yes, there is a cost to this. From website promotion, contests, to book cover designs and editor fees you will have to become your own enterprise.
This is extremely hard as an artist. In our heart of heart all we want to do is write. I sometimes get so frustrated with the business aspect I consider letting it slide. But if making a living off of your writing is your goal you my dear can do so.
Our genre is very lacking in the kind of talent you and a handful of IR authors exude. We need good innovative authors like you to continue to entertain us. I hate to think that you will walk away. And I hope that you consider the self-pub idea for some novella length stories as a trial. Anywho, let me know if you want to chat further.
I think we’ve had this conversation before Sienna, I don’t know about other published authors, but I have no problem with self-publishing at all. The main reason I haven’t done it is lack of resources. My husband is a graphic designer, so I wouldn’t have that cost, but coughing up the money to pay an editor and for advertising, well, it’s so not in the budget. Certainly I’ll hit you up to find out more about it.