My book is finally out. But you may not be able to find it on the shelves of your local book stores. Yes, I'm with a small publishers and its' almost impossible for them to get on shelves, nationwide. The best I could do is to get them in the local stores. National distribution is always the toughest nut to crack for small presses.
I used to feel very uncomfortable talking about my struggles because it's like "Gee, Ray, why didn't you set your sight higher and sign with a big publisher and none of this will happen." Well, everyone wants to sign with a big house and become the next Stephen King and brag about it. Am I doing something wrong by talking about being with a small press? Should I just shut up and keep a low profile, until at least I get on Oprah or something?
I think that by revealing my struggles, maybe other writers can learn something about the pros and cons of a small, up-start publisher. I know my book is not a hot genre (can we say the Da Vinci Code a million times fast?), and the subject matter is not timely (but I think it's timeless!). It's not an easy sell, and small publishers probably is the best way to go (to get my foot in the door). The good thing is that I have more control; the bad thing is that I have to do a lot on my own. The good thing is that my book is out now; otherwise I will still be trying to get an agent, or if I have an agent, he may still be shopping it around at this point and who knows when it will ever be published? The bad thing is that I won't get the kind of national distribution I want or need.
I guess what I am saying is this: Aspiring writers can make their own judgment, hopefully, by following my journey to see if small publishers are a way to go. Big houses have their own woes and sob stories, too — many books sink and lose money and they drop them in a few months. But I am not here to tell those stories.
The frustration is not unlike what I felt when I was working with a small company, though. I felt that I, to paraphrase Rodney Dangerfield, "got no respect," and no one gaves me a break. "You work for Company X? Never heard of them." But it was a great training ground for me, and I had a lot of control of what I wanted to learn and do. It prepared me for something better and bigger. So when I finally joined IBM ("You're going to IBM? Wow! Congratulations! You're in the big league now."), I was prepared.
Article comments
1 - alpha
You are a published writer. You have a book out on the shelves with your name on it. Congratulations! Tell all those "Gee, Ray, why didn't you set your sight higher and sign with a big publisher and none of this will happen." "friends" to go buy your book and shut up. There have been and are great small publishing houses. Witness City Lights, for instance. And great writing, good writing or fun writing coming out of them. Smile and get back to work.
2 - Ray
Thanks, Alpha. BTW, I really like your blogs. The photo blogs are wonderful.
3 - Victor Lana
Ray, I feel your pain. My third book was published in November, although it is with iUniverse which you may not call a "legitimate" publisher. To quote Willy-boy, "A fine word, legitimate."
Anyway, that's not the point. You have a book and you have the motivation. These are your key assets. You're willing to market the book and yourself. Even better.
I am doing what I can to push my book (even advertising here on Blogcritics). I want to do more, but getting readings/signings is difficult and trying to get onto radio/TV just too damn expensive.
I've gone the publicist route too. Guess how much they want? Well, on the high end I got a $10-15,000 price tag; the lower end came in around $4,000. Nice bit of change, hey?
All I can say is good luck with the book and your work on the second one.
4 - Ray
Thanks, Victor. It's not easy to get published. Then after you get published, it's not easy to rise above the rest. Luck has a lot to do with it. But you also have to have the substance behind it, so when Lady Luck comes knocking, you're ready. That's what I'm treating this experience. I've learned so much. So when Lady Luck (by the name of Oprah) comes knocking, I'll be prepared.
Right now the biggest hurdle is getting reviews from trade journals. They're swamped, and they can't even review all the books from big houses, let alone small presses. That leaves a lot of us, "small authors," out in the cold. And to get national distribution or get into the library, sometimes you just need that good national review.
The best weapon we have, I suppose, is word of mouth, and hand-sell. Get the book out there, let people read it, and let them start talking about it. That's the way to go. And start small, too. Start with your local chains and independents, then spread. That was how John Grisham got to sell 5000 of A Time to Kill. Word of mouth eventually landed him a movie contract before he even finished The Firm. Miracles do happen.
5 - James
I see your concerns, but there's just so much you can do so relax and let the world gets to know you one book at a time. There are so many books out there so it'll take some time but sooner or later someone will discover you if you're good. Rock on and enjoy yourself, you're published!
6 - Paint
I am so proud of you Ray! I think it is just great fun following you on your journey. I will learn from what you are doing. I have always thought I would have more FREEDOM with a small publisher. I am planning for my Chapbook to be self published with Lulu. Maybe I am just kidding myself. Time will tell won't it? I like your opinions--rebellious but not beyond radical.
7 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Ray, you need to keep repeating to yourself, "I am a published writer." You may be with a small publishing house, but your book is on bookshelves and it is a good book. Small publisher or not, your book is a hot topic in the books section of BlogCritics right now.
Now get to work on book #2. I'm looking forward to reviewing it as well.
8 - Ray
Yes, ma'am. :)