Self-publishing: POST 1800 of this blog
(Found a typo in the original: now fixed!)
I knew that this post would hit a milestone, my 1800th blog post in the 11 years I have been blogging. That's a lot of content. It's all here on the archive section to the right.
Therefore, I have been thinking about what it would be, and in light of the fact I plan to publish a book very soon, I decided on self-publishing.
There are reasons why you should self-publishing, and reasons why you shouldn't. If you think you will make a lot of money at it, don't kid yourself. You probably won't, unless you already have a platform (radio show, thousands of Twitter or blog followers, widely read newspaper column, speaking career). Or if somehow you hit a nerve, like the 50 Shades of Grey chick did. You also shouldn't do it if you are trying to use the book as a publication for tenure (in almost all institutions) or if you want to brag about being published. You weren't published, you published. There is a difference in the voice of the verb that makes a world of difference in perception.
You should not self-publish under delusions that your writing is great and people will snatch it up and fawn all over you just because you wrote a book. They won't. You should also not self-publish if you aren't willing to spend months of lonely time writing and editing and you aren't willing to have beta-readers or pay for an editor. I trust my own editing skills but still have to have a proofreader because we simply don't see everything. Please, please, please don't inflict more garbage on the world. As Annie Dillard says, we don't need one more book to choke the world.
Also don't self-publish if you can't figure out the technology. You need basic word processing and Internet skills. That's why folks fall into the scams of some companies that promise to publish and do it all for a large sum.
There are reasons you will want to self-publish. If you just want to put out a book. If you want something for your family, like a memoir. If you have a niche topic for a niche audience. If you have a big following already. If your students, colleagues, congregation, clients, patients, or whoever want you to put your ideas into print. If you have an incredibly good personal story to tell. If you have a lot of time (you'll need it).
Be wary of: everyone. If a company wants $2000 to publish your book and do all kinds of editing services, run. Not everyone's advice on self-publishing is going to be correct either. Also be wary of services that will give you an award if you pay them. I tried one and my book wasn't good enough, so I was out $50.00 and was none the better for it.
Amazon and Barnes and Noble have very good free services if you know the technology.You can just epublish or get a beautiful book. I've done it twice and was pleased with the product (not the sales, but that is my problem).
Marketing is a-whole-nuther topic.
Here are some links to some articles on the topic, and there are many, but caveat emptor.
https://ingeniumbooks.com/7-things-to-understand-about-self-publishing/
https://wendyswritingnow.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/what-not-to-do-when-self-publishing.html
http://karenbanes.com/indie-authors-can-get-book-reviews/
http://www.cavalletticommunications.com/self-publishing-vs-traditional-whats-best-for-you-and-your-book/?utm_content=bufferf557b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
I knew that this post would hit a milestone, my 1800th blog post in the 11 years I have been blogging. That's a lot of content. It's all here on the archive section to the right.
Therefore, I have been thinking about what it would be, and in light of the fact I plan to publish a book very soon, I decided on self-publishing.
There are reasons why you should self-publishing, and reasons why you shouldn't. If you think you will make a lot of money at it, don't kid yourself. You probably won't, unless you already have a platform (radio show, thousands of Twitter or blog followers, widely read newspaper column, speaking career). Or if somehow you hit a nerve, like the 50 Shades of Grey chick did. You also shouldn't do it if you are trying to use the book as a publication for tenure (in almost all institutions) or if you want to brag about being published. You weren't published, you published. There is a difference in the voice of the verb that makes a world of difference in perception.
You should not self-publish under delusions that your writing is great and people will snatch it up and fawn all over you just because you wrote a book. They won't. You should also not self-publish if you aren't willing to spend months of lonely time writing and editing and you aren't willing to have beta-readers or pay for an editor. I trust my own editing skills but still have to have a proofreader because we simply don't see everything. Please, please, please don't inflict more garbage on the world. As Annie Dillard says, we don't need one more book to choke the world.
Also don't self-publish if you can't figure out the technology. You need basic word processing and Internet skills. That's why folks fall into the scams of some companies that promise to publish and do it all for a large sum.
There are reasons you will want to self-publish. If you just want to put out a book. If you want something for your family, like a memoir. If you have a niche topic for a niche audience. If you have a big following already. If your students, colleagues, congregation, clients, patients, or whoever want you to put your ideas into print. If you have an incredibly good personal story to tell. If you have a lot of time (you'll need it).
Be wary of: everyone. If a company wants $2000 to publish your book and do all kinds of editing services, run. Not everyone's advice on self-publishing is going to be correct either. Also be wary of services that will give you an award if you pay them. I tried one and my book wasn't good enough, so I was out $50.00 and was none the better for it.
Amazon and Barnes and Noble have very good free services if you know the technology.You can just epublish or get a beautiful book. I've done it twice and was pleased with the product (not the sales, but that is my problem).
Marketing is a-whole-nuther topic.
Here are some links to some articles on the topic, and there are many, but caveat emptor.
https://ingeniumbooks.com/7-things-to-understand-about-self-publishing/
https://wendyswritingnow.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/what-not-to-do-when-self-publishing.html
http://karenbanes.com/indie-authors-can-get-book-reviews/
http://www.cavalletticommunications.com/self-publishing-vs-traditional-whats-best-for-you-and-your-book/?utm_content=bufferf557b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
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