There's been some stuff going on in the publishing world recently that has been bringing back some of the reasons for my desire to be a self-published author. Okay so it doesn't have the same prestige as going the traditional route. Some people don't even think of a person who is self-published as being published, but honestly I sometimes wonder if they know the actual definition of "publish" because I have yet to find a dictionary that says that you're only published if you find an agent and go through an established publishing house.
I'm not knocking the process or how difficult the traditional publishing route is, but I think it's time that people recognize the fact that self-publishing is an equally difficult (if not more so) route than traditional publishing... and definitely equally as valid. I also think that those people who see self-publishing as an easy way out and use it as an excuse to avoid the process and rejection of traditional publishing need to stop putting out mediocre work and making the self-publishing industry look bad for the rest of us who actually take the time to have their work properly edited and present a professional appearance.
Self-publishing is not a new concept. Many authors throughout history have self-published for one reason or another. There are even popular, and dare I say famous, authors who are turning to self-publishing in this day and age for various reason.
What were my reasons? Mainly I wanted to avoid the corruption and politics that tend to surround big industries such as the publishing industry. I don't do well in those types of environments so I tend to do my best to not get caught up in it. I was actually starting to think it would be okay to go the traditional route until this latest stuff started coming up regarding ebooks.
I'm not even going to get into what it's all about... it's just started raising questions in my own mind and I'm seriously considering returning to the original idea of self-publishing Shadow Stalker. I would love to get my readers' feedback, though.
Here are the pros and cons....
1) If I self-publish the book will be available within a few short months after completion, essentially as long as it takes me to get it edited, artwork done for the cover and formatting done. If I go the traditional route, realistically speaking, it could be two more years and then some before the book is ever published because I will have to find an agent, wait for them to find me a publisher and then wait out the publishing process which can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
2) If I self-publish, the printed versions will be a bit more expensive (by about a few dollars because of the higher printing costs per book as it is with print-on-demand), but the ebook version will be very cheap (around $5 because I think it's ridiculous to charge more than that for something that costs nothing to make). If I go the traditional route, the printed versions will be cheaper, but the publishing companies are wanting to charge $15 on average for ebook copies, which is more money than your average paperback.
Those are the two main issues I'm looking at right now. Tell me what you think.
2 comments:
Actually, with self publishing, you also have to self promote, organize your own book signings and readings, put yourself out to the guest lists at conventions or anything of that nature. With an established publishing house behind you, they take care of publicity and getting people interested in your work... self publishing means a crap load more work.
Plus, don't you have to pay to self publish? I mean, you purchase the printing on so many copies, which means your books would be limited edition since you couldn't afford to do the high end numbers... I don't know, I just thought I'd heard something about it.
I think the bottom line is which you'll feel more comfortable doing. You can weigh out the pros and cons of cost to you or your readers, the work load of self vs pro, the pay for your work, and the time differences, but when all is said and done, it's still a matter of whether or not you're happy with the work.
Actually new authors generally have to take care of most of the promotion on their own anyway. They may get some help from the agent and publisher, but that help is minimal unless they actually start selling books (a hell of a lot of books). And it's very rare that the publisher will pay for your book signings and book tours unless you're a best selling author for the most part. So new authors are on their own anyway.
Basically you have to prove to them that you're going to make them money... then they'll be more willing to invest money in you. And I don't really mind that anyway... I spent years studying marketing. It's something I love to do, so that works out for me.
You don't have to pay to self-publish or get advanced copies unless you go through a printing company on your own. If you use print-on-demand then there are no upfront costs except maybe to purchase your ISBN. That's how I published my last two books. The only time a copy of the book is printed is if someone actually orders it. And with the ISBN anyone can walk into any bookstore and order my book if they wanted to.
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