An Experiment In Self-Publishing
Published July 04, 2006
I'm doing an experiment. Well maybe more of what you would call a trial run than an experiment. I'm taking the series of posts I've written about working on my novel (NaNoWriMo Notes) and am turning it into a book.
It's pretty much a ready-made book as it is, with only minor editing needed to remove the html code that was imbedded in the text for web publishing and replace it with either hard copy of images or the formatting required for a text document. Each installment is a chapter unto itself and all that needs to be written is perhaps a preface and an afterward as explanatory notes.
The experiment has less to do with the content of the book than with my intentions for its distribution. I'm going to make this a test case for myself of the viability of self-publishing a novel, utilizing only those resources available to those of limited means. In other words, I'm not going to spend a cent on marketing or incur any costs, other than some postage, at least those that I don't already carry as a result of being online.
I've had an account at Lulu for a couple of years. I've been attempting to sell a few bits and pieces of material I had written prior to starting my blog and posting at other sites. To date, my total sales have amounted to $10.00 American and have all been of one article, a review of Viggo Mortensen's collection of photos and poetry called Coincidence Of Memory. I have enough humility to realize that these sales were probably generated more out of people's interest in Viggo than because of any skills I may have as a writer.
Aside from posting the pieces there and putting one small link to my storefront on my blog and at my almost completely moribund web site, I have made no effort whatsoever to market or attract interest in my work. It hasn't seemed worth the effort involved for what would probably be an only slightly higher return than what I've managed to this point.
I might have sold a couple more reviews of Mr. Mortensen's work, but that's probably it. Who really is going to be interested in the serialization of a Science Fiction/Fantasy novel that is only partly finished? Is there a market for a collection of poetry from an unknown poet whose work is about as accessible as The Dead Sea Scrolls? “Probably not” seems applicable as a response to both those questions.
Last November I began working on another novel that I’d finished a final-enough draft of to begin searching for a publisher. I was not willing to consign it to the purgatory of my storefront immediately. I had put too much heart and soul into it to leave it to languish without giving it a chance to see the light of day in a physical bookstore.
Richard Marcus is a long-haired Canadian iconoclast who writes reviews and opines on the world as he sees it at Leap In The Dark and Epic India Magazine.
- An Experiment In Self-Publishing
- Published: July 04, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Sci/Tech: Blogging, Culture: Advertising and Marketing, Books: The Writing Life
- Writer: Richard Marcus
- Richard Marcus's BC Writer page
- Richard Marcus's personal site
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Richard,
I noticed that the book doesn't have an ISBN, which I think Lulu offers for their books. What were your factors in deciding to go without?
Any intention of making the book available on Amazon?
Thanks, and best of luck.
Brian,
The simple answer is cost, but I've ordered one through Canada's system which is free, so that will be taken care of within a few days. I don't know what Amazon charges to list a book so I'll think about it, but as I don't have hard copies personally and it's only going to be available through Lulu and my storefront I'll also have to figure out how that works. Like I said in my article, this is to be done without costing me any money.
Interesting ... that's the first I've ever heard of the Canadian ISBNs being free to publishers. And I guess by selling through either Amazon or Lulu, you don't have to worry about any international exchange rates or the like. Very interesting.
I believe selling on Amazon is free for individuals (it may be that the item only stays up for 30 days), though I think you have to be a paid subscriber to list an item not in their catalog. But if you have an ISBN, it should be possible to get the book listed by Amazon with a little work.
Keep us posted on how it goes. Thanks!
Brian
I just got my ISBN number in the mail and have been assigned a block number for the next nine that I produce - all they ask in exchange is if I actually ever print any of them that I send the National Archives a couple of copies. The way it works is if you print under three copies you don't have to send them any hard copy. Since I'm doing print on demand only...it will depend on my hard copy sales whether they get anything from me or not. If I sell ten, than I have to send them two copies, but that's the max.
I figure that's a fair exchange for ISBN numbers.
I've uploaded a pdf version to Google books, which was free, so once they finsih posting it that will be another place that people can find out about it - It will have a link back to my storefront at Lulu.
Amazon is being a little more problematic, they want money and hard copies so far as I can tell, but I still haven't explored all options-I know they sell stuff through third party listings-places like CD Baby put their clients recordings at Amazon but I might have to settle for the marketplace area I'm not sure.
Oh well that's enough marketing stuff for the day. I'll try Amazon tomorow again.
cheers
Richard
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Years ago such a prospect would never have been an option for aspiring writers, visual artists, or musicians alike. The internet has given artists a fabulous opportunity to cut out the middleman and market their creative projects with very little financial risk.
Of course, any notable success requires some effort to get your product promoted effectively. Again, the internet offers so many unexpected avenues in which to do that ... and your audience is the whole world - rather than just the few people you might reach with a letterbox drop, or through the expense of a printed advertisement.
I have found being actively involved in a variety of popular communities which focus on the same interests as myself, has been the best way to build interest in my work - not to say I'm any huge celebrity (far from it!) but I am pleased with the recognition I have managed to build up in such a short time. Also, getting published in independent magazines (though unpaid) has been a great way to get some recognition, build on my experience, and develop a reputation in my various fields of pursuit.
I have a few more project ideas that I am yet to implement. I am optimistic that my current small achievements will assist in the growth of those projects when I am ready to set them free. As you mentioned, focusing on your field of interest is going to be the only way you can sustain a prolonged effort to successfully publicise your work.
I have a lot more enthusiasm and confidence in the prospect of self-publication, than the idea of going to a publisher - where you run the risk of having your ideas stolen, being financially ripped off, or having your enthusiasm quashed by disparaging remarks and knock-backs.
Good luck to success in your venture, Richard.