July 4, 2012

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Welcome fellow Insecure Writer's Support Group Members!



For those of you who don't know about this support group, what rock have you been living under? we "meet" the first Wednesday of every month to discuss our fears and insecurities about writing, and receive support.


Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting this group!


And so this month, here is my topic:


To self-publish or not to self-publish? That is the question.


CONSIDER THE FACTS!

Some truthful facts:
  • I'm a relatively new and inexperienced writer.
  • I've learned a lot and have a lot to learn.
  • What I write is quirky
  • I know I have not written the next Great American Novel.
  • My work is not five-star (except to family and friends! God Bless them!), but I hope it's three+++ or four +++.
  • I believe I can attract a following of people who like my stories and characters, even if I haven't created a Harry Potter world. Even if I'm no Hemingway or Dickens or Stephen King.
  • I've read some totally awesome books by self-published authors!
  • The more I write, the better I get.
Self-publishing facts:
  • No publisher shopping
  • In charge of own artwork, editing and formatting
  • Self marketing and social media
  • You're on your own timeline - no deadlines
  • Up to 70% of the royalties all to yourself
  • Instant gratification on publishing timing - no waiting.
  • Paid 60 days in arrears on royalties
  • Total world domination control and the final word! (Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about!)
Traditional publishing facts:
  • Shopping for a publisher takes time, maybe even forever!
  • Once a publisher wants you, it takes 6-12 months to see your book in print
  • Gratification that a traditional publisher likes your work thereby validating you as a good writer (yes we all want this!)
  • Still self marketing and social media
  • 30% royalties? I'm not sure on this, but I know it's less than self pubbing
  • Not sure when the money starts "pouring" in... (maybe "pouring" is too strong a word, lol?)


So what have I missed? Any information you'd like to share? Any advice?

I've been going over this question and it seems there are so many reasons for someone like me to self-publish.

4 comments:

fairbetty said...

The one thing you really want to consider is a professional editor. That's the pitfall of most self-pubs IMO, and one area where trad publishing has an advantage. I'm not saying every trad pub book is the bee's knees or anything... just that a lot of self-pub authors tend to forget that they need someone else to edit. We all do.

Gwen Gardner said...

fairbetty, I agree about the professional editor and that's why I got a critique from an editor (the full developmental edit was too expensive) and came away disappointed. I got some good info but it wasn't as thorough as what I'm getting from my CP. If I self-pub my second book, I'll find a different editor...

Ricky Smith said...

Quite good points!Thanks for your share!


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