Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shay Olivarria on June 25, 2010 at 8:23am

I agree with Pinter on both sides. Yes, the ability to self-publish has allowed, even encouraged, many people that may not have ever had a book published to publish furiously. On the other hand, there are authors that not only have something to say, but can write about it intelligently that are getting a great opportunity to share those works with the world.

Like many things in life it depends on which side of the coin you're on. The great thing about capitalism is that regardless what is created only things with value will be purchased. If you're giving your works away for free and get a million downloads, more power to you! If you have written something barely palatable and folks have taken a shine to it, more power to you. I don't feel that anyone else's successes or failures reflects too much on my work.

I'm self-published and regardless of what others think, my work helps people understand the complexities of personal finance. I don't purport to be a financial genius or a economic guru. Many would find my works simple and trite, but to my readers I'm a a helpful step in understanding personal finance. I can't wait to self-publish again!

PEACE,
Shay Olivarria
Author, 10 Things College Students Need to Know About Money

www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com

Permalink Reply by Marva Dasef on June 25, 2010 at 10:57am

Sales are nice, too.

The bane of the independent author is two-fold:

1. Everybody thinks they can write a book, so they do without the slightest idea of the basics.

2. The good indy books are smothering in the slush of the bad wannabes since it's so easy to publish these days.

I'm nearly at the bitter end of the rope. Yes, I have a contract for one of my books at an epublisher, but I know that even that slight amount of credibility leaves me trying to fill the role of marketing and sales. Personally, I'm lousy at it because I hate it so much.

This week I'm running around BEGGING people to just go to my latest book's Amazon product page and tag it. 30 seconds tops. I always tag books even if I don't end up buying them. I also buy every indy author's under $2.00 book in which I have the vaguest interest (sorry, no erotica for me). When I do get around to reading a book from an Indy (I have about a hundred lined up on my Kindle), then I always write a review.

If all all authors would support their kindred at least with tagging and at best buying, we'd all do better.

Sigh: Here are the links to my just released YA space opera romance on Amazon. Please tag.

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/First-Duty-ebook/dp/B003TJAW5W/
Print: http://www.amazon.com/First-Duty-Marva-Dasef/dp/1453636218/

AND you can get the ebook free at Smashwords using coupon code VA49Y
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4628

Permalink Reply by Cindy Oldham on June 25, 2010 at 9:23pm

I agree that books being published should be quality. I've had books come across my desk that I simply would not publish because the lack of content within. Just because you can get a book published does not mean it should be of poor quality. It is a bit worrisome with the ease of publishing however, my hope is that those publishing will take the time to make sure they are working with their authors to help them write the best book possible.

There are many reasons why people write books and most of them are valid. There are lots of stories to be told, fiction and nonfiction. I try to work one-on-one with authors so they can be proud and successful with their books.

Permalink Reply by Laura J. W. Ryan on June 25, 2010 at 10:10pm

"...just because you 'can' self-publish does not mean that you 'should' self-publish." I couldn't agree more...I am one of those indie authors who has gone through the traditional system, took rejection after rejection after rejection, kept writing, polishing, proofreading, reworking, fine tuning, more proofreading, and finally had enough after that 'one more rejection'...so I 'did it'...I made the investment, but it was a long investment of time, energy, and loads of patience with 'making it right' before clicking the "SUBMIT" button.

I don't think enough self-published authors develop the patience to produce a book that is as good as a traditionally published book (or better). I support my fellow indie authors when I can afford to pick up a copy, read, and then write a review, but it really makes me sad to see poor design, inconsistent patches of good writing and not so good writing ... not necessarily bad writing, just writing that feels "rushed" ...I'm not talking about flowery literary prose, just good solid hit-the-nail-on-the-head storytelling... the kind of writing that can carry a reader through the reading journey without a stop to say, "You've made the time to write a book, is that all you've got to say?" It's disappointing. Too many books have come up short out of impatience to get it out there...

It's an investment, personally and professionally. Take the time to make it right.

Permalink Reply by Zetta Brown on June 26, 2010 at 2:44am

This is very true. Anyone self publishing should realize that their finished product will reflect upon them so they need to take the time and effort to do it right. "You only get one chance to make a first impression."

The same thing is true as an indie publisher. The authors we produce represent us so we want our books to be the best they can be on the inside and outside.

I've worked with authors who got too impatient to get published, and instead of following advice by taking it slow and understand not only what they were doing, but the BUSINESS behind publishing, they rushed off to get published with PublishAmerica. Believe me, they learned a hard lesson.

Permalink Reply by Lea Schizas on July 4, 2010 at 11:42am

As some of my fellow writers/editors/publishers mention below, the most important aspect is not whether one self-publishes easier nowadays but whether the quality of work stands the test amongst the many amazing and well-written books out there.

Many new writers believe after they've gone through their books a few times that it's ready to reveal to the world. They have no concept what a real editing is until it's too late, and I say too late because I've had to rework many pieces that received bad reviews because the authors were too eager to publish and not submit their work to an editor beforehand or at least to a critique group.

Permalink Reply by Jane Galer on July 4, 2010 at 12:30pm

A couple of comments on the very perceptive comments of my fellow shewriters...
1st, just because there are millions of writers in the world and it's therefore very very difficult to get noticed, anyone who considers themselves a writer, should WRITE and don't give up. As a reader, I think, "bring it on!" Give me more choices.
That said, writers who want to be reviewed seriously need to know that their chances of being reviewed are very low if they publish with subsidy presses (Xlibris, iUniverse, Lulu etc).
The day of the mega publishing house handing out big advances and doing huge marketing programs is over, it's time for those of us in the micro-press industry to take over and redefine the playing field. POD is the future. If you feel powerless, find a way into a small press's line of sight, and leave the subsidy folks behind, vanity publishers should not be the only option out there, they are greedy dead-end streets.
POD, e-publishing, serialization online....this is the future. Let's get started! What about forming co-op small presses where the work and the profits are shared? Did you know that Wordsworth sold subscriptions to his poetry books before they were published? That Thomas Hardy's books were serialized in magazines and he wrote them to deadlines? There are so many options. I'd like to see us go back to Bloomsbury: gather together a band of friends and co-op publish. That's all Virginia Woolf did. It's just easier now. And the more people do this, the more reviewers will have to pay attention because the quality of the work will be there. Mega-publishers and vanity presses? Bye-Bye.

Permalink Reply by Jean Sheldon on July 5, 2010 at 8:57am

I've been involved in publishing for over 35 years and the changes that have occurred are incredible. It is true that anyone can publish these days, and many do. That is not necessarily a bad thing, or at least not as black and white as good and bad. Does it make it harder for 'real' writers? Maybe, but who are 'real' writers? As a (very) small publisher, I struggle to stay afloat, competing with every large and independent or self publisher. Which is the greater challenge and how do I stay in the game? In an age of instant publishing, the answer changes daily. What won't change is our need for teachers and storytellers. It is how civilizations survive and grow. In my mind, there can't be too many. I tend to worry more about the extraordinary number of television stations out there than the number of books.

Permalink Reply by Faith M. Boughan on July 7, 2010 at 9:43am

I recently heard this phrase: "There are more opportunities than ever for writers to get their work published... but fewer ways to get paid for it."

The commenters on this post have made some excellent points, so I won't reiterate... but I will say, I have nothing against self-publishing -- I plan to do it myself at some point for a particular project -- but I do have an issue with the "slapdash novel/non-fiction" that a writer throws together and then pops it up on Amazon.com thinking it's "good enough"... when clearly it needs PLENTY of editing, proofreading, and revision.

Quality, quality, quality... that's what counts. And maybe a check on quality is what we need more of... just saying. :)

Permalink Reply by Jean Sheldon on July 7, 2010 at 10:24am

I suppose photographers feel the same way. Today, almost anyone can take a picture with their cell phone. Many post these pictures and some offer them for sale. It has to be disheartening to someone who puts a great deal of thought and planning into every click.