Charles Fiore writes today on White Cross blog about the controversy of self publishing and traditional publishing. It is a decision writers must make and there is much to consider before doing either.
So much depends on what you consider success to be. I know people who would never think of self publishing anything. They take great pride in saying they have never self published.
But I teach people who have wonderful stories to share and they are not professional writers. Most of them would never see their books printed and read unless they self published.
I remember when I paid to publish my family history in 1998. It was a book for my immediate family and, even it it had been well written, it would not be published for me and sold on the market. It just wasn’t that kind of book.
However, I basked in the success of having my family express appreciation and delight in reading the stories of my grandparents and their ten children.
Even young people in the family enjoy owning the book and reading about their family history.
I don’t entertain any goals of having a novel traditionally published, or even a memoir now. But I feel quite successful when one of my stories or essays reach the public or when my poetry is enjoyed by others. That is why I write. Not for fame or fortune -- just to communicate something to others. And when I do, I feel extremely successful.
What are your views on self-publishing? Traditional publishing?
What are your views on self-publishing? Traditional publishing?
The books I read are as likely to be poorly written and edited if "published" as are the self-published ones. Publishers are not reliable partners. The writer is going to have to do the promotional work. Suggestion? Make a guilt-free choice and move on without looking back or explaining your choice to others.
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't that the question, Glenda: What's your definition of success? And is it truly your definition, or are you trying to match up to society's definition? Or someone else's?
ReplyDeleteAs far as publishing, I vote for whatever works for each person. One thing I've found over and over again to be worth the money, however, is to hire an editor either way.
Hi Bill and Rebecca, thanks for your comments and thanks for being readers of this blog.
ReplyDeleteI urge writers to make educated, informed choices. Know what to expect in either case, self-publishing or traditional publishing.
I hear again and again, "I didn't know how hard it would be to promote and sell my book."
As it turns out, writing is the easy part. Marketing, getting the book out to the public, is the hard part, the part writers don't like to do.
Self-publishing goes way back before publishers got in on the business. It has an honorable history.
ReplyDeleteI agree that marketing is harder than writing, and liked a lot less by authors. Maren O. Mitchell