I am an author, graphic designer, and editor of over 15 years. I've been writing and designing since high school, when graphic design was called desktop publishing, PageMaker was the only option, and a red pen was the universal sign for a mistake. (I will be buried with a red pen in my hand.) Having written several different genres of books throughout my life, and finding traditional publishing industry to be tear inducing, I abandoned my lifelong desire to be a published author a decade ago.
Much of my "previous life" of designing and editing have been for individuals, small businesses, non-profits, and schools. (Read - I still hold the red pen, but it was for business professionals who confused the spellchecker, and made the grammar checker smoke.)
As a reward for my Masters, I bought an iPod and returned to reading voraciously. In my readings, I found eBook publishers. Thrilled with the prospect of finally getting my books published, I formatted my files for eBooks, created the covers, and uploaded. Now, almost 2 years since I put my first ebook up, I have not one regret.
But I do have an overwhelming desire to help others. Let me share the love of writing and celebrate the freedom of self-publishing with you!