Comments on: “Self-Published” is not a Dirty Word

By: Susan Wenger

Susan Wenger — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:04:00 +0000

Maeve,

I have heard that traditional publishers have been putting more demands on authors these days. Could you go into more detail about your experiences? I’m curious.

By: Maeve

Maeve — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:55:53 +0000

Mel,
Thanks for your insights. I’m suffering right now from an unwise publishing decision of my own. I went with what I thought was a “real” publisher who would do most of the work. Instead I’ve had to do as much as if I were self-publishing — without the control and with few of the rewards.

It’s my own fault for not researching the press more carefully. Caveat Emptor!

By: Mel Menzies

Mel Menzies — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:59:53 +0000

You are right to point out that: “Diversity suffered when the little houses were gobbled up by the big ones. Today’s conglomerates are unwilling to buy a book unless they feel it will generate a huge readership.” My first book was published in 1982 and was quickly followed by others – all with mainstream publishers – plus numerous magazine articles. Eventually, I came to the notice of one of the major publishers and began to be commissioned to write biographies. One of them went on to become a No.4 Bestseller in The Sunday Times.
Then, for personal reasons, authorship had to take a back seat for some years. When I returned to writing, naturally, I sent my work out to the publishers with whom I had a track record. But, because they wanted me to write the story I had to tell in an autobiographical way, and I wanted to produce it as a novel, they were unwilling to publish.
So I self-published with a POD company which had been recommended to me. I haven’t regretted one moment. Yes, marketing has been hard work – but when wasvmainstream publishing ever any different? I had to do the rounds of talks and broadcasts then, just as I do now. And all the profits I make go straight to charity.
Would I do it again? Sure! Would I recommend it? Yes. But only if you’re prepared to have your work scrutinised and polished. And only if you’re prepared to work hard at your craft. Mel Menzies: Author of A Painful Post Mortem, a novel.

By: Susan Wenger

Susan Wenger — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:35:52 +0000

Vic is right: self-publishing can lead to good things, but you really do have to be prepared to work. Make sure your book is ready for prime time (there are editing services that can help you with that), and market the heck out of your book when it's in print. Some tips for marketing your book in a fun way: www.wheatmark.com/blog/2008/12/marketing-for-fun-11.cfm

By: Vic

Vic — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:54:00 +0000

I published at least five books myself. It was a learning experience. Of course, when you self publish you are thrown into the mix with a lot of unqualified writers as well as others who just don’t want to go through the stress and strain of finding a “real” publisher. The reason self-publishing got a bad name is because bad writers can produce a volume of pure crap that no intelligent reader could wade through if he wanted to. Regular publishers filter out this kind of dribble.

My latest book, Remember Us: from my shtetl through the Holocaust, a memoir that reads like a novel, was at first self-published and then just picked up by a major publisher, to be re-published this summer.

In any case, though, you have to be prepared to self-promote and treat the whole thing like your business. Public speaking, press releases, setting up talks, booking yourself on TV and radio and finding speaking venues are all part of the marketing process for a self publisher.

Self publishing is also a wonderful idea if you have a small business or industry market and you know how to reach them. In this case, perhaps, a publisher may not understand the value in your market, but because you do, you’ve got an automatic readership.

More than 30 years ago I was graduated with a degree in Journalism, so I know how to write. Then I went into business for myself and learned marketing the hard way. But if you have a grasp of both writing and marketing, you can make a success out of your self-published book.

Ultimately, though, a writer writes. If you love to write, or even if you struggle with it but it MUST come out, then publication is secondary to the expression.