Are you thinking of self-publishing? Know someone who has? Maybe
you’re an agented author thinking of exploring this new avenue for your career?
One of the great topics I heard about again and again at my writer’s
conference was about the recurring success of self-published authors, some who previously
had agents and major book deals, and some who did not. It’s a true revolution occurring
today, where if authors are willing to put in the work of being their own promoter
and manager they can reap the benefits of gaining all the profits. But it’s about much more than dollars and cents. It’s about getting your books and your
message out to the masses, and increasingly more and more authors are choosing
to do this on their own.
What have been your own successes and pitfalls in the path
to publication and promotion? What strategies do you seek and how do you keep
yourself going? How do you stand out amongst the millions of other authors
self-publishing world-wide?
I'm with a small publisher, but I still have to do a lot of the marketing. I guess online involvement has played a key role in the success of my books.
ReplyDeleteI have a neighbor who self-published that's doing really well. I might explore it someday (in fact I am self-publishing an anthology this September) but right now for my novels I want to try traditional publishing once before I try to venture out on my own :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I finish this current WIP I'm going to test the agent waters again, but if I don't find any interest I'm going to release my novels myself. Lots of work, I know, but I like the idea of having creative control over them. I've also been considering releasing a self-published companion project of related short stories based on some of the secondary characters.
ReplyDeleteI have self published. That wasn't too hard, but the promotion bit is another matter.
ReplyDeleteTo try to help I have a collection of short stories (Not a Drop to Drink) which is free on Amazon and from other places. I'm hoping some of those who download it will actually read it and that some of those people will like my writing enough to buy my books.
I'm glad I went with a small publisher. It's giving me experience with the publishing world. Plus, my dream is to still get that agent. If that makes me nuts, then I guess I am! :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely like the idea of having freedom over when and what to release. I self-published a fundraising anthology and it's great for that sort of thing if you need to do something quickly. I think I'll go this way for my novels. Standing out, though - that's the bit I'll really need to work on!
ReplyDeleteI have written a book too - and am deciding if I can self publish it and 'promote' it. sandie
ReplyDeleteI admire authors who have managed to be successful self-pubbers, simply because I think it's a rare combination to find a writer who is also a gifted self-promoter. Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteNever done it but think it's a good idea - at least you can test the market and get yourself out there.
ReplyDeleteI have reasons for starting out with traditional publishing, but I'm not afraid to self-pub anything they don't want or we can't agree on. I know a lot of people who are doing very well self-publishing. They have all the control and the work that goes with it. And all the profits.
ReplyDeleteI have so many friends who have had HUGE success self-pubbing. I respect them a great deal! Though I'm doing my best to go the trad route, what I think matters is if good books are being produced and shared with the world. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely know more and more people who have successfully made the jump into self-publishing, and I am more and more impressed by their successes.
ReplyDeleteI've actually been thinking about self publishing. Its going to be tough and time consuming, but I hear the rewards as just as great.
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
I've been self-publishing reprints of my short stories for about a year now. They've gone through the editorial process the first time around, and I've already been paid for them, so now it's all icing on the cake. I've really enjoyed the experiment/experience. With my novellas and novels, I'm also taking the traditional route to start, but when the rights revert to me, I'll definitely be self-publishing them as well.
ReplyDeleteI think you have to be a confident, motivated type to self-publish - a publicist, willing to sell, sell, sell, as well as check all the legalities, create your own artwork, videos, website etc. Preferably good at public speaking, all these things. The success stories are often people who can do this well and/or have some sort of business savvy and contacts. Many good books still go by unnoticed and many crap book sell a bundle (50 Shades of Brown).
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