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Now? Not so much. There are still those masses out there who use it to publish their un-edited masterpieces - don't get me wrong. But there are also those who are serious writers, who've worked, researched, and sweated out all the details. Those who invest in themselves and their work to get it to the quality needed to really get somewhere.
Are they giving up? No. In many cases, they are making a valid choice between offers of publication and going Indy. I've read self- pubbed books that are scary (like I want to take out the red pen scary) and those that I can't wait for the sequel. SAME AS TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED BOOKS.
Am I still hoping for that traditional route? Yes. For myself it makes sense at this time to pursue that avenue. Am I opposed to looking into it sometime? Not at all. Maybe that seems non-commital, but I don't think so. It shows that you don't have to be on one side of the issue. I can support both, as long as they are done in a way that takes writing seriously and puts more good books into the hands of readers. Isn't that really what it's all about?
What do you think? Have you done it? Would you do it again? Would you consider it?
This is how I look at it too. I'm for the fact that we have options now. Even though I'm self publishing, I'm not against contracts with trad. publishing in the future. Each project is different. We just have to go forward one year at a time.
ReplyDeleteI think that self-publishing can be an excellent choice for some authors and some projects. I will admit that I feel somewhat wary of purchasing sp titles because I often worry they are not properly edited, and I don't feel that way about trad-pubbed titles. However, I think more and more people are approaching sp like professionals, and they seek professional editing, do the proper formatting, and pay close attention to wisely marketing their work. I have tremendous admiration for those who do it like that, because it takes a true entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of energy! As for me, I have a contract with a traditional publisher and a contract with a ... new? ... publisher (Amazon), and there are clear differences there as well (my books with Amazon will come out sooner and more often, which makes me happy). In the future, I wouldn't shy away from self-publishing if it made sense for a particular project.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that there is more than one way to go with publishing. Everyone should do what's right for them.
ReplyDeleteFor me and at this point, traditional publication is still the route I'm traveling. I haven't exhausted this option by any means yet--I've been advised as such by some awesome writer friends who have Indie published. Yet, that does not mean I've ruled out the possibility. As in all things, care and quality are what matter. I know some Indie authors whose books are absolutely fabulous. They took the time to seek professional editing and advice from others.
ReplyDeleteWe really do live in a changing time.
Although I'm still focused on traditional publishing, I haven't turned my back on self-publishing. As it is, I only buy sp books from authors I know, because of the quality issue. And I know the ONLY way I'm putting my books out is after they've been professional edited. There's too much at sake to do otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI'm at exactly the same spot. I'm still planning on querying once my ms is finally ready, but if that option doesn't work out the way I want it to work out, then I'll definitely look at self pubbing. I've read a lot of great self pubbed books lately - and I'm really hoping for sequels too :)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about self-publishing. Traditional publishing is the path I want to pursue for several reasons, the main one being that I want to have an agent to advocate for me and my work. But I'm not ruling out self publishing either. It's great that there are other options available!
ReplyDeleteI've chosen self-publishing for my route. I've really enjoyed it so far and love the creative freedom. It just works well with my personality. To be completely honest, I would have to seriously consider things now before I accepted a traditional route.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm focused on the traditional publishing route, but I certainly wouldn't toss the idea of self-publishing out the window in the future. (I learned long ago to avoid saying "never.") I continue to read articles and posts highlighting pros and cons of both. I think it depends upon what path resonates best with you. :) Happy Monday!
I definitely haven't closed the door to self-publishing either. I'm still working towards becoming traditionally published, but I still educate myself on the self-publishing industry and still want to keep that option open for the future in case I decide that route is best for a particular project. Though I have to say, I would NEVER self-publish unless that MS has been editing to you-know-what and back first! Nothing's worse than picking up a SP book that hasn't been edited...and it kills you because the story's good, but the editing issues get in the way of it's awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteAfter waiting 30 years for the traditional publishers/agents to give me a chance, I had to self-publish.
ReplyDeleteNow, I have a small publisher. I could not do all the leg work, and expence he does.
I support whose who self-publish, mainly because I've seen those who had agents, find themselves at an impass,and that's really where it gets hard for someone who had high hopes only to have them dashed for too long. I know that these people work hard on their mss., get beta readers, and editors before they put the thing out there. I've read their work. Its every bit as good--if not better (because traditional houses do churn out some badly written-even edited-pieces of junk).
I'm happy to be where I am because of one small publisher giving me a chance.
I've been traditionally published two times and now I'm thinking of going it alone with a different category of fiction from Young Adult--Middle Grade. Hold on to your paranormal prose, Lisa. This one's not a contemporary book. It's not realistic, either. I'm sneaking over to your side of the writing world to dabble in a bit of the fantastic.
ReplyDeleteInsightful, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI plan to pursue traditional publishing because it feels right for me. I don't have any other explanation.
Indy works well when an author has several novels - at least three, and all of them appealing to the same general audience. ie, three contemporary romances or four science fiction epics etc.
ReplyDeleteAuthors need to show they are in this for the long haul and they are serious about their craft.
What doesn't seem to work is the author who rushes out their first novel, then spends so much time promoting they have no time to follow up with another.
Both Susan Quinn's and Laura Pauling's posts over the past year or two have gradually changed my perception of self-pubbing too. It most certainly is a valid route these days.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! I'm open to all kinds of fun things. Why close any doors?
ReplyDeleteThe more avenues for great stories to see the light of day the better. I agree with Margo. It's been fascinating to follow Susan and Laura's enlightenment on self-pubbing.
ReplyDeleteYes, more avenues!!
ReplyDeleteThe mere fact that this discussion continues speaks volumes about the stigma associated with self-publishing. Don't get me wrong, I understand that much of this baggage is well-deserved. When I self-published my thriller Asylum Lake in 2010 it was only after receiving more than 146 (yes, I kept track!)rejection letters from agents and publishers. For me, self-publishing was my one option to get my stuff out there and see if it connected with anybody. Now, less than two years later, I consider myself INDIE. What's the difference? For me, it's choosing to remains elf published. I have fielded a handful of contract offers from small publishers yet I choose to remain in charge of my own destiny. There is no wrong answer here - just a question of what each individual writer is searching for.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I look forward to visiting yoru blog again.
Awesome points here, Lisa! I think we've got a lot of smart writer-friends, and they listen to the criticisms of SP. They also read, and like you, respond to the potential problems w/SP. And they're smart enough to avoid them. I think as time keeps going, it's going to become less and less a quality issue, and then who knows? I sure know it's tempting to own ALL the rights to your words starting at Day 1! :D <3
ReplyDeleteI have a friend, Chana Keefer, who SP a wonderful novel called The Fall. She did a wonderful job with it. And I've heard other people say that some of the SP books they've read have been great. It's just hard to know ahead of time if a SP book is a high quality story or just the product of an impatient writer. I suppose those that are good will rise, like cream, to the top via word of mouth.
ReplyDeleteI have done it and I love it, though it was the toughest, scariest decision of my life. My novel was agented, shopped, and though rejected~editors really liked it. The problem is, they are often too busy (editors) to look at a revision. Even if they like it and think it needs a few changes, many won't look at it again. I went forth into self-publishing knowing my book had merit with agents and publishers. It helped make my decision easier, but it was still scary.
ReplyDeleteI think the stigma has definitely changed and the quality of indy books are better written. For me personally, I just don't have the time or energy to put out a book independently. From my writer friends, it takes LOTS of focus to get it done right.
ReplyDeleteBut in the future? When I have more time to devote to the task? It would be something I would look into for sure.
Yup, that's how I feel, too. I have indie-published (with a start-up epublisher) under a pen name, but only in genres that I'm not pursuing traditionally.
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say I was quite relieved not to see my picture accompanying this blog and that it wasn't about me. If I didn't flounder so often in my writing, I wouldn't need so much wine and chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI'm still split on this issue. Sure it would be great to get a "real" deal with agent/publisher, etc. But I've seen how the author of a published book is left to her own devices to do book signings, tours, etc.
Self-pubbed presents the same issues, if you care to do so. Lots of control, but only a positive if you're accountable for your own mistakes, and successes!
Personally, I'll be taking my-self to the pub to sort all this out...
For me, I am going Indie for the manuscript I am working on. Was just talking about this last week!
ReplyDelete