Your thoughts?

I'm curious. What are your thoughts on self-publishing. We've all heard the stories about Amanda Hocking and her success self-publishing. And if you haven't you can find her on Wikipedia, check it out. Yes the one who after her self-publishing success found more success with a huge book deal with St. Martins.

Or what about Barry Eisler? He turned down a huge book deal to self-publish! It's all just so confusing. You can do your own on Kindle, or Pubit through Barnes & Noble, then there is Smash Words.

What is the publishing world coming too?

I have spent so long (as long as I can remember) wanting an agent, a big book deal from a big house in NY. And now? What do I want. Can I do better for myself? I'm an unknown. I have heard from a few who are doing pretty good.

But then I talked to a friend who reviews and he has a very low opinion of self-publishing. The books are not as good of quality. And I agree, I've read a few. Some say there are great writers out there who if they didn't self publish their work would be forever lost in the slush pile.

How do you know? I'm waffling, do I really have talent? Am I one of the great writers lost in the pile of slush? Or am I one of those writers who think they can write but in reality, doesn't have a lick of talent.

Okay, readers, writers, everyone I am really interested in your thoughts on self-publishing.

Comments

Doree L Anderson said…
Hi Mary,
I did, a one point think that you would be doing yourself a disservice if you self-published because you wouldn't get your 'name' out there. Now, I say, it's almost the only way to go. You have your own control over your work. You decide how it looks and how it's advertised. Once I have the confidence in my work, I'm going to do it :) Thanks for the post.
8:15 AM
Carolan Ivey said…
999,999 out of 1000000 writers need an editor. Most writers who've moved past the "fledgling" stage freely acknowledge this. A writer who thinks his or her work is perfect as is, is fooling themselves.

I am my own toughest critic, but no way am I letting my manuscript out in public without a professional editor's critical eye.

Too many times, writers fall for self-publishing's lure of instant gratification. "Hey, my family and friends love it, so it must be ready to go."

I'm not saying self-publishing success never happens. It does. But a writer doesn't generally become successful simply by putting something up on a web site and wait for the bucks to roll in (if that's the author's goal). Barry has worked hard to KNOW HIS MARKET and work it to the max. That takes a lot of time and effort, and for him, his hard work has been rewarded.

If a writer wants to throw something up on Kindle for a buck and call themselves published, I have no problem with that. Will they become the next Nora Roberts? Probably not.
8:28 AM
stanalei said…
There's a lot things to consider in the self-publish vs traditional publish argument. You hit on many of those things, Mary. I say, first, know yourself. Know what you're capable of for promotion and outreach. What do you want most? If self-publishing is your brass ring, then reach for it. If not, than keep your eye on the prize.
9:13 AM
Lindsay said…
To self-pub or stick with the traditional route is a tough decision. One someone shouldn't take lightly. To do it right takes a lot of things-finding an editor, getting the cover done but most of all it takes time. Time you might better spend polishing your manuscript and resubmit.
But whatever route you choose have faith and confidence in yourself
9:23 AM
Mary said…
Carolan,
That's why I'm holding back I KNOW I need an editor. There are good and bad ones out there you can pay. So again, how do you find a good one.

If I ever did decide to go this route it will only be AFTER I'm positive my work has been polished and then edited to professional level.

It's a lot of work no matter what you do.

Thanks everyone for the comments, I hope to see a lot more!
11:14 AM
Anonymous said…
Mary, this is an ongoing argument and I'm not sure any minds are ever changed. There will always be naysayers who say self-published novels are sub-par, but more and more lately there are self-published authors who hire a good editor and then put their books on Kindle as e-books and reap the royalties.

My favorite role model for that is Timothy Hallinan, one of the most creative minds and one of the best writers on the planet.

His Poke Rafferty mysteries are traditionally published and get good reviews, but I like his e-book originals -- the Simeon Grist series and the new Junior Bender series.

I could give you another example but this is already too long!

Maybe it boils down to what you want from writing. Do you want to see your book published by one of the "Six Sisters" of traditional New York publishing, or do you just want people to buy your book and keep the money yourself?

Yes, promotion will be up to you, but unless you are already famous or infamous, promotion will be up to you anyway.

Just my 2 cents worth --

Pat Browning
12:03 AM
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