We are entering a new era for the publishing world. An era where it can be a respectable option to self publish your book. Can because there is still a bias against people who self publish and the author who chooses to take this route must clear many hurdles to wear the tag of a respectable author.
Historically, self publishing was dismissed with little thought as a sub-standard method of getting your book in print by anyone even remotely related to the publishing world . And, in part, rightly so. Many self published titles that appeared were characterized by poor writing, little, if any, editing, and amateurish layouts. All it took was money to buy your way as a "published" author.
Then self-publishing companies came along to cater to these authors. These companies had one primary purpose: sustain their existence from authors who could pay for their services. They would "publish" anything of any quality. If they made money from selling their client's books, great. But their sales and "marketing" departments were charged with parting the author with their money through author book sales, sales aids, and promotional services. They were definitely not the organizations to count on for creating a quality, commercially viable book. That responsibility landed squarely on the author's shoulders.
It's no wonder a bias developed against self published authors that still exists today. That bias, however, is starting to change. Based on the due diligence and a commitment to excellence, a new class of authors is using the self published route to effectively print and market their books. They are committed to creating books which meet the exacting standards that the marketplace expects. They have their books professionally edited and they create professional covers. They write books that are commercially viable and they know how to market them to Internet savvy readers.
At the same time this is happening, there are authors who still self publish sub-standard books. They use friends to edit their manuscripts. Their grammar is inconsistent and riddled with errors. They have no marketing plan and enter the market with an unrealistic expectation of what will happen with their book. They are aided in their efforts by self publishing companies whose main goal is to make money off of authors rather than help them achieve success in the marketplace.
Article comments
1 - roger nowosielski
The main stumbling block, Tony, is the amount of time and energy one'd have to devote to having their stuff published; in my experience, it's just antithetical to all truly creative people.
If there was a way of getting around that, I'd give it a shot. Have two novels under my belt. But I am not going to devote any considerable time to self-public, just to see my books in print.
2 - Tony Eldridge
You are absolutely correct in that, Roger. Self publishing does take a considerable amount of time and energy to make it work. If an author is not willing to put in the time and energy, then self publishing may not be the way to go.
The big plus in favor of being traditionally published is the great distribution model they have in place. It can take the lion's share of an author's time to match that, if they can do it at all.
One of the reasons I chose the self publisher I chose came down to your point. I didn't want to devote the energy to doing all of the things that a pure self published author has to do. I found a company that would handle the things I didn't want to handle and focused on what I was good at-- the marketing.
Great point, Roger, and one that needs to be considered by any author as he or she makes the publishing choices they make.
Congrats on having two books under your belt!
3 - roger nowosielski
Well, Tony. Perhaps you can share your find with me.
My email is listed in the navigation bar, the top of my weblog.
I do have two good products, and I'd hate to see all that work go to waste. Three years of my life.
Roger
4 - Tony Eldridge
Roger, I shot you a quick e-mail. Let me know if there is anything--good or bad--in our conversations you feel merits mentioning in these comments for others to read.
5 - Steve Weber
Good article, Tony!
Roger, I agree that publishing yourself can be a confusing, maddening, mystifying process. Likewise for new authors seeking a traditional publisher.
It is possible, though, to get some satisfaction from the tasks involved in publishing. For example, I began designing my own book covers a few years ago when the cover designer I had hired didn't produce something I was satisfied with. It was a pain in the rear to learn how to do it myself, but I'm glad I did.
6 - roger nowosielski
Well, Steve,
The main problem for me, I don't want to lower myself to trying to peddle my own work. I believe it's good, and that's what the publishing industry should be about.
Long time ago, during the Industrial Revolution, Shelley and other poets were very adamant about the new trend as regards works of art about to become subject to the forces of the market place. I find their complaint as a prophesy come true.
Even parts of Jane Austen's works, submitted incognito to a literary agent who was responsible for the "Harry Potter" series, were dismissed offhand for not commanding sufficient interest. So you tell me what the odds are for a new author getting published.
The days of the Medicis and the patrons of the arts look better and better.
7 - Tony Eldridge
No doubt that a lot of literary works of art would never make it past the agents and gatekeepers of today. Like it or not, people will write and publish what readers will buy. We can talk philosophy all day long, but when the sun goes down, that truth still holds true.
I may have some bad news to break to you- unless you are a NY Times best selling author (whose works probably can be characterized as very commercial) even if you go the traditional route, you will have to "peddle your own work." Marketing dollars are growing more and more scarce in the traditional publishing houses. I have a lot of friends who are published traditionally and they say that one of the biggest surprises they had was how much of the marketing was up to them. Marketing your own book seems to be one of the few common denominators that self published and traditionally published authors share.
But, as a writer, I can appreciate your longings for the days of patrons. It would be nice if we could all find our Medicis and be free to just write.