Another round in the endless self-publishing debate
I will be truthful. I am still not sure how I feel about this whole self publishing argument. I agree with both sides and I always assumed that the day would come when self-publishing would simply be an accepted medium for fiction. I have given this more thought than usual as of late for reasons that I will get into a bit later on in this post. But for now, here are my own thoughts on both sides of the self-publishing coin.
A few weeks ago, a poetry editor tweeted a pretty funny comment…a comment that was both humorous and truthful: The words “poetry” and “self published”, when used together, make me cringe. And this leads to the most obvious con to the self publishing argument. Anyone can do it. The mother who thinks her 8 year old’s poems are so cute and insightful that other mothers will want to read them. She types the kids poems up, posts them up on LuLu and BAM, an 8 year old has a book of collected poems published. The goth kid that is a little into Marilyn Manson (a trip to the mall this weekend proved to me that these do still exist) writes a few verses about the blackness that is his soul and how every emotion he feels is an endless chasm of torment and death. Go online, take about 15 minutes to walk through the necessary steps, and BOOM, he’s a published author.
Yikes.
On the other hand, what about those very unique stories that the bigger publishing houses and agents have turned their noses up at and the smaller houses didn’t want to take the gamble on? If it weren’t for self publishing, I feel that quite a few good books would have never seen the light of day. Some basic Google research will give you some pretty impressive numbers.
I also understand that to be a “self-published” author, there is a degree of “shamness” attached to you and your book. Authors that have been published by traditional means see you as an inferior. In most circuits and stores, self-published books are scoffed at and not taken seriously (unless the author can get a power-boosted marketing campaign behind the book and even then, the chances are slim).
So, really, I just don’t see how one can make such a decision about self- publishing. I would love to see an experiment where a well established author self publishes a book under a pseudonym just to see what happens.
Anyway, I have been thinking hard about this for the past few weeks for a particular reason. I have compiled a collection of my work and have been shopping it around for a while. It’s been very hard to get anyone interested and the rejection letters seem to have the same reasoning…it’s just too diverse.
The collection, aptly titled Debris, has a bit of everything. Mainstream short stories, short stories of 9,000 words, flash pieces of 350 words and poetry (some only 10 lines, others 3 pages). Also, while 75% of the work is horror, the rest is simply mainstream fiction. So it’s been very hard to sell this concept to any genre publisher.
So that’s where I started think of self-publishing. And while I still haven’t’ made a decision, it’s something I give more and more thought to each day.
So what are your opinions? Self-publishing: good or bad. And would you even consider purchasing a collection like this if it were self-published?
This entry was posted on June 15, 2009 at 11:43 am and is filed under me, random, short stories with tags collections, LuLu, self publishing, short stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
June 15, 2009 at 11:57 am
I would buy your collection if it was self-published because a) I know you, and b) I trust the quality of your work. If I didn’t know you, then no, I wouldn’t buy it.
One of the beauties of traditional publishing is that someone else believes in your work. Self publish and you take away the joy of acceptance.
June 15, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Ditto. If I know an author’s work/reputation/etc. then a self-published work from them is something I’ll quite happily buy.
The only thing that really puts me off about self-publishing is how hard it is to create something semi-professional looking. I’ve tried it a time or two (via Lulu) and I’ve never been happy with the result.
June 15, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Regarding self-publishing, I would read/buy it if I had reason to believe it was worth my money: Either I knew the author, a friend who knows my taste recommends it, etc.
I don’t think I would self publish, unless I was already established. Then I might do something that didn’t fit a genre, but meant a lot to me.
June 16, 2009 at 3:08 am
I like Natalie’s reasoning: I might do something that didn’t fit a genre, but meant a lot to me.
I think self-publishing is a powerful and important force, like you say, when the author has a platform of some sort (in terms of nonfiction and certain types of fiction); that implies a pre-made, specialized audience that the author knows how to reach herself, and for which she doesn’t need the help of a publisher. It’s a longstanding tradition in publishing (in terms of American publishing, come on, we’ve been into it from the beginning. Think Common Sense!)– and a good one.
I have lots of self-pubbed books on my shelves, but I always had reason to believe before buying that it’d be worth it. It’s hard, having all the marketing in your own hands, but if you have the drive and dedication, it can be totally worthwhile.
Random ass opinion. And that said, I’d buy your books for the reasons Cate gives.
June 16, 2009 at 8:44 am
Thanks for all of the opinions, guys. It’s nice to know that I’d sell at least 4 copies!
June 16, 2009 at 10:16 am
Make that 5.
I am up in the air. I have talked about publishing a trade book on the outdoor crafts I use to mass produce for a company. We thought we might be able to sell them at the trade shows they went to, but the costs of producing a nice looking and functional book (it would almost have to be spiral bound with many photos) would be cost prohibitive to be profitable.
June 16, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Six copies.
But you have to stop and think: would you regret self publishing at all? Would you look back on that collection and wish that you had held out? There is that degree of shame, whether it’s rightfully earned or not.
This may be a collection that you bring out a bit later. A special treat. Or when something else comes out, perhaps this can be a special edition companion piece for the first 100 sold, or that sort of thing. Then it becomes a delightful rarity.
Now off to Sufjan Stevens: he’s amazing. His ILLINOIS album is one of the most beautiful things that I had ever heard! I thought John Wayne Gacy Jr. was a love song until I looked at the title, and I’m still not convinced that it isn’t. And “Concerning the UFO sighing…” still makes my stomach drop in a fantastic way. I bought the MICHIGAN album on itunes yesterday because I wanted more. I’m not disappointed.
June 16, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I think you have the power to redefine self-publishing.
June 19, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Self-publishing is a serious debate, and usually a personal one. Everyone has their own reasons why they will or won’t self-publish.
Personally I would never self-published unless I was established as a well-known author, and then I would publish material via my website as a kind of “bonus features” section like you see on special-edition DVDs. Deleted scenes, alternate endings, as well as original material such as short stories and novellas (especially novellas, which are hard to place regardless of who you are). I don’t see a problem with that because it’s a good way to promote yourself. Like publishing in the better-looking and well-established e-zines, it’s all free fiction that draws in new readers.
I don’t think I’d read a self-published book unless I knew who the author was or unless the book was highly recommended to me by someone I knew and trusted. Part of that is a bias toward self-published books, I will admit. Since anyone can do it, a lot of people do, and they tend to produce crap. Sad but true. The law of averages says there is good stuff out there, but quite frankly I don’t have the time to weed through the crap for the gold. I have a big enough reading pile as it is of authors who have worked hard to get their work accepted and printed by actual publishers. But as I said, if someone says, Ian, you simply must read this self-published book, then I will definitely give it a try.
June 26, 2009 at 11:08 pm
The self-publishing thing can be quite a conundrum. I am against self-publishing for the simple reason that for most self-published books there is no real editing that takes place. No one who really tells you, yes, this is good and polished and you should publish it. And if you WANT professional editing or a professional cover, you have to pay out the nose for it.
I don’t mean for this to be a shameless plug for my company, but that is exactly the reason my partner and I started Accomplice Press. I have worked for more than 5 years as a free-lance editor for three different e-publishing companies. I have also been a freelance cover artist for various print and e-publishing companies. I have seen the difficulties talented writers go through trying to get published by the big companies, and the shame that goes with self publishing.
So, I started Accomplice Press as a way to be an alternative to self-publishing. We of course have a submissions process, because we do not believe “anyone” can write a book, BUT, as a small independent publisher we are more open minded to talent that the big guys. And of course there is no cost to the author because we are a publisher, not a publishing service.
My whole point is, before self-publishing look around at the small independent companies. They may not be able to promise much as the big boys, but they can offer much more than self-publishing
July 6, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I took the POD plunge several years ago with my 2nd novel, Peeper. I accept the path to traditional publishing is hard. I knew that going in. But after countless rejections by agents, who wouldn’t even read sample chapters, I threw up my hands. If my work isn’t right for you, or you don’t like the way I write, that’s fine. But you don’t get to reject me without reading me. The harsh reality is: No publishing history, no interest.
Have I sold a million copies? Hardly. POD publishing won’t generate crazy sales numbers. But what it does do is get your book into the hands of someone who wants to read it. And that’s something that might never happen if you wait around for a positive reply to your 200th query.
If not for POD, I would never have had the pleasure of reader feedback. Actual comments like: “I couldn’t put it down.” or “I stayed up to 3:00am to finish it.” or simply, “I loved your book.” As far as I’m concerned, those comments, and many more like them, paid for all the hard work that went into writing the book.
Beware: The stigma associated with self publishing is very real, and I’m sad to say, more than deserved. The article above nailed the problem: Anyone can publish a book. All you have to do is plunk your money. Most POD books are an embarrassment. Most new writers are unware that there is real craft in writing a cohesive story. It’s not enough to have a general story idea and semi-passable grammatical skills. With no minimum guidelines, no review process, it’s no wonder this publishing method is seen as disreputable.
I would love to have a big-time publishing contract, have only one job – writer, and be a best selling author. Who wouldn’t? But until that day comes, I’m happy writing for my small, but loyal group of fans. Life is good.
July 8, 2009 at 6:06 pm
It’s been interesting to read these thoughts on self-publishing. Let me start with full disclosure — I am the managing editor of both a small traditional press and 2 self-publishing services.
My thoughts:
Even though anyone can now publish a book, not everyone should. The gates have already been opened and there isn’t any turning back. The consumer / reader will have to sift through everything that is offered but should not dismiss a book because it has been self-published. Even though there is a lot of self-published “junk” out there … there is also a lot of talent / great reads just waiting to be discovered. Reviews help and, obviously, recommendations from people you know and trust.
If a writer is going to take the self-publishing route, the writer has to be willing to do what a traditional publisher does. Get the work professionally edited, designed, and formatted as well as printed, distributed, and promoted. It will cost you money. Welcome to the world of publishing.
Every time you submit your manuscript to a traditional publisher you are expecting them to risk their time, money, and reputation on you and your writing. If you self-publish, you will have to expect the same from yourself. Take a realistic look at the marketability of your book, what you want to accomplish by publishing the book, costs vs. potential profits, and what you can afford to spend.
Decide on what kind of self-publisher you are going to be. Many writers assume that self-publishing means using a service like iUniverse, Lulu, etc. There are actually 2 methods of self-publishing.
1. USE A SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE.
Here you pay someone to handle all of the back-end stuff. If you are a writer that isn’t too interested in the business side of publishing, a self-publishing service may be the better way for you to start. The cons of taking this route is that you are immediately associated with that self-publishing service. Book retailers, reviewers, and readers see “iUniverse” or “LuLu” and automatically have their doubts on the quality of your work. I recommend that you look at smaller self-publishing services that aren’t widely known as such. The other con with going with a self-publishing service is that you lose a good chunk of your profits. Not all, but many self-publishing services force you set a high retail price and you can only purchase your own books at a discount off retail. This makes you every bit the self-publishing service’s “customer” as the retail store that has to purchase your book at a discount off retail instead of actual production costs.
2. BECOME YOUR OWN PUBLISHER.
This is the original form of self-publishing. You purchase your own ISBN , making you the publisher of record. You find an editor, designer, typesetter, printer, distributor. When retailers, reviewers and readers see “The Name of Your Press” instead of iUniverse or Lulu, you and your work seems more credible. You’re a “small press” instead of an author published through a vanity press. Of course, your book (from the writing to how it’s packaged) really has to shine if you plan to move forward. The main con of becoming your own publisher is that you are going to have to really involve yourself in the business end of publishing. You will have to learn the industry or find someone to help you along until you feel comfortable with the processes.
If done properly, self-publishing can be the way to establish a credible platform and give readers and traditional publishers confidence in your work and more of a willingness to invest in your work.
My best to you,
Deana