Comments on: Self-publish and be damned? The modern writer’s dilemma

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:13:59 +0000

With POD publishing, I made sure to put a strong emphasis on editing to make my work the best it can be. As a result, I’ve got some great reviews and have confidently forged ahead with my marketing plan. I’m close to completing my second novel, so I’m hoping that the traditonal pubs will look at my marketing skills and moderate success with the first book and take me on.

By: Ashli

Ashli — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:22:06 +0000

For some folks, DIY will make MORE sense. For authors savvy enough to create smart business plans and brand themselves (or for those that already have a strong following through career accomplishments or popular blogs) self publishing can be a better way to go (believe me, I worked at a publisher, and aside from great distribution, we offered little by way of marketing). I’m actually pulling together a conference for self published authors (or those that want to) in San Francisco in July – InStock – see http://www.instockconference.com for more info.

By: jon

jon — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:33:51 +0000

oh, I just wanted to add that finding new, un-famous yet talented writers was the main reason I started reading Futurismic.

By: jon

jon — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:31:52 +0000

Here in Japan there has been a big boom in mobile phone ‘novels’ over the past decade which are often read as they’re being written, with the plot sometimes being steered by reader feedback along the way. This is not for everyone but it does reflect more of a jam-session style than anything traditional. Some of them have gone on to become bestsellers in print form, through, er… major publishers.

Total DIY will only rarely be a match for a writer with a big communications, editorial and promotional machine behind them. And writing demands a much higher level of commitment from its audience than other artforms, so I never read too far into a self-published work which hasn’t passed a gatekeeper first – in the form of a review, list or podcast. I’ve been burned too many times.

DIY is good for getting your work out to more than just the traditional agents or publishers, so the chances of getting lucky are increased. But publishers will still exist in some form or other.

By: Annabeth

Annabeth — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:55:21 +0000

I’ve self-published tons of stories on the internet, but once I had my novel, I went for traditional publication. I’m at one of the larger houses, and while I won’t pretend this doesn’t involve some occasional frustration, I have the kind of sales and exposure that virtually no self-pubbing author could get on his/her own. I wouldn’t condemn anybody for self-pubbing if it really works for them and its what they want to do, but for “building an audience,” publishing with a large house is going to win every time. The trick is getting in — but I didn’t know anybody, and I got in just fine. It can be done. And self-publishing advocates do their cause no favors by acting like publishing is just some racket nobody can break into.