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The Self-Publishing Debate - Opinions?
Hi, She-Writers! I'm new here, and was wondering if you could help me.
I'm the editor of Trashionista, a chick-lit 'blogazine'. Recently I posted about about self-publishing, as a BBC programme here in the UK talked about the benefits (and disadvantages) of sites such as Blurb and Lulu. I had some mixed comments - some favour the traditional route to publication (myself included), whereas others wouldn't mind self-publishing.
I'm looking to write a follow-up post, with opinions of others - as kind of a debate. I'm wondering if any of you could offer your opinions on this. Would you self-publish, or stick to the traditional route to getting your book published? Is anyone here a self-published author and if so, what made you decide to self-publish?
I would link to your sites on the post along with your comments. Would anyone be up for sharing their opinions? :D
I'm the editor of Trashionista, a chick-lit 'blogazine'. Recently I posted about about self-publishing, as a BBC programme here in the UK talked about the benefits (and disadvantages) of sites such as Blurb and Lulu. I had some mixed comments - some favour the traditional route to publication (myself included), whereas others wouldn't mind self-publishing.
I'm looking to write a follow-up post, with opinions of others - as kind of a debate. I'm wondering if any of you could offer your opinions on this. Would you self-publish, or stick to the traditional route to getting your book published? Is anyone here a self-published author and if so, what made you decide to self-publish?
I would link to your sites on the post along with your comments. Would anyone be up for sharing their opinions? :D
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lorie Ham on -
This is so true-it's one hard lesson I learned when my first book came out in 2000 with a small publisher. A friend of mine is with a big house and she pretty much figures if she can cover her promotion with her advance and basically break even she's doing well-if she doesn't do the promo the book doesn't sell and her series would get dropped.
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Permalink Reply by Pamela Mahoney Tsigdinos on -
Hi Elle,
Following up again since there's more discussion here. I'm a "Indie Author."
After a two year effort at pursuing the traditional route (engaging an agent, etc.) I was tired of hearing "great writing but your topic is taboo -- publishers won't bite." You can learn more about me and the stigma associated with my book, Silent Sorority, on my book website: http://www.silentsorority.com and in a recent blog post that explores social stigma: http://blog.silentsorority.com/2010/05/13/in-the-company-of-women.aspx
The traditional publishing world clearly didn't know have the courage or the knowledge to successfully publish and market my book. I know my audience better than they ever could. My sales remain strong (50% U.S. 50% rest of world). The book has been available for a year. I continue to get visibility through media relations efforts. Two weeks ago my book was the centerpiece of a New York Times piece and next week I'll be featured in The Globe and Mail.
Thanks, again, for tackling this topic. I hope others find success with their writing -- regardless of how it comes to market!
Best, Pamela
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Permalink Reply by Terri Kirby Erickson on -
Hi Elle... I self-published my first collection of poetry, Thread Count, with AuthorHouse, because I was 45 years old, had no academic connections, and had never been published anywhere. I figured, hey, my parents and my friends will buy copies! But the book was successful beyond my wildest dreams, partly because of my PR hustling! I was on television, in the newspaper, on the radio, and sent messages to everyone I ever met or wanted to meet, about my book. As a result, I was invited to teach an adult poetry class at Salem College, a very prestigious private college in NC, and also started teaching teen workshops (which I still do), sponsored by the public library.
Then I started submitting work to literary journals, etc., and since about 2006, have had close to 80 poems published in literary journals, anthologies and other pubs, including The Christian Science Monitor, Eclectica, JAMA, Verse Daily and many others. And I've won a number of awards for my poetry, too, which is always fun! In 2009, a very well regarded small press published my manuscript, Telling Tales of Dusk. Small presses don't have a lot of cash for advertising, but after being self-published the first time, I had a lot of practice with marketing. Telling Tales of Dusk actually went to #8 in Amazon poetry sales in Feb. of this year, and was on the Poetry Foundation Contemporary Best Sellers list!
So, I'd say that self-publishing was the right choice for me. But I have to say, it is wonderful to have a manuscript accepted by a small press publisher, as you have someone else "out there" working for you, and it has a bit more clout in the literary world if you have a good publisher who actually chose your work, rather than you having to pay someone to publish it. However, self-publishing was the perfect starting point for me, and I've come a long way since then! Hope my story gives you some insight... All the best, Terri Kirby Erickson, author of Telling Tales of Dusk (Press 53), http://terrikirbyerickson.wordpress.com
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Permalink Reply by Linda A Lavid on
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Great story. Shows how self publishing can give you a platform, feedback, and take you surprising places. I'm totally sold on publishing. Too many reasons to ramble on about, but the publishing of my work has made me a better writer and given me encouragement to write and publish more. I say to people when I give talks...I write and publish to write more. Languishing in a room of your own, praying, hoping for the big break is not only a waste of time but can erode your self-esteem and motivation. The publishing world is flat. Take advantage. LA Lavid
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Here's the original article Amusing hyperbole. I made more than $1.75.
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From the Wall Street Journal. Nuff said....LA Lavid
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Looks like I'm having a conversation with myself. Nothing new...Anyways, this whole thing is quite interesting. I suspect commercial publishers will be opening the gates soon. There's plenty of money to be made in ebooks and why not sign up authors that show promise. They don't have to publish the book, simply put it up as an ebook. Writers be vigilant, weigh the pros/cons and don't be seduced. LA Lavid
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Permalink Reply by Elissa Bassist on -
I just launched a self-published website with a personal essay, original illustrations, blurbs, and a donation option. Here it is: If Not for Everything Else.
I explain why self-publishing and how to self-publish on TheRumpus.net in Write to Get Paid.
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Permalink Reply by Andree Lachapelle on -
In the past I never would have considered self-publishing because of the stigma attached to it, and the costs involved. I also felt there was no way for the author to tell if the results would look professional or amateurish. However, I recently did a little test on Blurb. I created a personal book for my husband, and was very impressed with the quality.
There's no "1,000 copies minimum" or anything like that. Blurb allows you to order (and pay for) exactly the amount of books you wish to buy, and you determine the cost of your own book -- and as a consequence, the amount of money you will make from each sale.
I've decided to use them to publish my poetry, as well as a few novellas and short stories that were written a while ago. If and when I actually finish a novel (don't laugh, it could happen!) I'll try to get an agent and find a publishing house.
If you decide to give self-publishing a shot, I would recommend looking at a lot of books beforehand. I don't mean read books, but truly look at them. The formatting, the design, the look and feel, and what differentiates "respectable" ones from those that are less so. Then go for it!
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Permalink Reply by Hannah Goodman on -
Hi!
I am a self published author (but also have had some mainstream published pieces as well). I chose to self publish back in 2004, really on a kind of whim–I had been trying to break into the traditional world only to be courted on and off by editors at the Big Houses...but nothing panned out for real.
I had a lot of success (for self publishing) with my first book...but my steam ran out (and I had another child, got busier went back to school for my MFA) and now the subsequent two other books are not selling as well.
All along, I have wanted a REAL book deal. I thought this would be another route and for years it looked like it was. I won a lot of awards and got the attention of many agents, all who wanted ME! I did sign with one, but after four years and no deal, I said goodbye.
Now, almost armed with my MFA and several mainstream published articles and stories, I am about to try again to find an agent. I feel my experience with self publishing was the best education about writing, marketing, publishing, etc. I have no regrets and am proud of my success (and even my failures) but I don't think I will do it again any time soon.
My blog WRITE NAKED, chronicles a lot of my experience. http://hannahrgoodman.blogspot.com
I'd be happy to talk more with you or answer any questions. My books are available on Amazon too.
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I'm not a lawyer, but from my understanding, copyright law remains in effect until seventy years past the author's death. I suspect the rights of the book would be owned by her estate. How wonderful that your aunt took the time to write her family's story. Quite a visionary in her eighties.
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Permalink Reply by Michael N. Marcus on -
>>There's a misunderstanding about the initial cost of self-publishing....There is no initial cash outlay.
While the cost of manufacturing books using CreateSpace or Lulu seems very low, manufacturing is not the only cost in publishing. In fact, it may be the smallest cost.
If an author does not budget for professional design, professional photography and/or illustration, professional editing, and promotion, she may sell three copies of the book. If any non-relatives buy the book, they'll laugh at it.
It's fine to pay $39 for CreateSpace's Pro Plan (I've used CS for one of my books), but make sure you have another thousand or two or three set aside to make it a professional-quality book, and to make potential readers know that it exists.
Michael N. Marcus
-- Independent Self-Publishers Alliance, http://www.independentselfpublishers.org
-- "Become a Real Self-Publisher: Don’t be a Victim of a Vanity Press" http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981661742
-- "How to Get the Most Out of a Self-Publishing Company"
http://silversandsbooks.com/booksaboutpublishing/selfpubcompanybook...
-- "The 100 Worst Self-Publishing Misteaks" http://silversandsbooks.com/booksaboutpublishing/misteaksbook.html
-- "Stories I'd Tell My Children (but maybe not until they're adults)" http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981661750
-- http://www.BookMakingBlog.blogspot.com
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