What I Like About Self-Publishing
What I Like About Self-Publishing
I have written, of late, some fairly hard-hitting criticisms of elements of the way self-publishing is evolving today – from my perspective, more important discussions to have than any positive features (naturally, since the positive features are…well, positive).
This article provides what I think are the key positive features of self-publishing
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Before I get into the list of goodnesses, I want to make my position clear regarding self-publishing, rather than the specialized slant I take in this article. In my mind, for the purpose of this discussion, there are three categories of good writers – those who aren’t published, those who are self-published, and those who are traditionally published.
‘Good’ is defined as being able to write a work where there can potentially result in strong, sustained sales (in my mind, 5000 genuine unit sales per work).
My recent articles have been largely focused on The Grand Illusion, a hypothesis that many self-publishers (mostly poor writers, some good) are dynamically sustaining a distorted view of collective self-worth (in terms of literary ability) as well as other irrationalities. I also assert that the flooding of the publishing market with a tremendous amount of trash is doing no one any good, including good self-publishers.
The key message is that I respect all good writers, no matter what flavor of publishing they use, including combinations. When it comes to it, I respect poor writers, but it doesn’t mean that I think they should contribute to the flooding of the market.
Self-Publishing is a Reflection of Exciting Times in Publishing
Self-publishing, only a few years ago, was virtually non-existent. Before technical innovation, such as printing-on-demand (which was a direct result of the digital revolution within the publishing business) and eBook technologies (emanating from Web-technologies), the only way you could self-publish was via vanity presses.
And even then, it was hardly publishing because the relationship between vanity presses and distribution networks to bricks and mortar outlets were virtually non-existent.
The integration of these technologies with business models, mainly inaugurated by Amazon, was directed in the large to enable self-publishing. Ironically, this same technology has enabled the establishment of larger numbers of small traditional publishing houses. Eventually, the adoption of the technologies by large, established presses, albeit with commercial and business disruption.
It seems that self-publishing is riding the waves of change, and I think this is exciting. I believe it is symbolic of change and innovation, which is another exciting element of the publishing model. I have noticed a fairly new trend of late, where established or semi-established. Traditionally published writers are self-publishing some of their work, forming a type of hybrid model.
In some small number of cases, the writers have enough of a popular base to ‘go it alone’ to draw higher income than what their traditional side can provide – although this appears to be a function of the writers’ self-marketing ability concerned, within the online world.
In other cases, established writers may want to publish smaller work (novelette and novella sized), which may not easily have a place in the traditional publishing markets, or where they feel limited editions, and specialized readership makes sense.
Self-Publishing is a New, Additional Avenue to Professional Writing
Many writers in the self-publishing world are talented and skilled in writing, many with potential, and some who are already adept. Nevertheless, I believe they represent the extreme minority among the masses. Those who enter self-publishing do so for various reasons, but most want success and recognition, and many of them would like to be full-time professionals. Before the technological and business model revolution that allowed self-publishing to be viable, many of these talented writers would have to struggle for years before they could break into the market at all (and, of course, many writers continue to follow the ‘traditional’ path). In some cases, the long, fruitless struggle is unfair.
Self-publishing gives writers an additional chance to ‘get in’ (albeit self-contained in the self-publishing field, or as a stepping stone to traditional publishing), but noting they have unique challenges to overcome, including having to compete with literally hundreds of thousands of other self-publishers, and disconnects between institutions and processes that still are strongly biased toward traditional publishing. They are unlikely to change dramatically for years to come, if at all.
Self-Publishing Enables Opportunities For Growth
If handled correctly, the self-publishing process enables writers to expose their work to reviewers, alpha-readers, and the general public. The feedback provides the writers with precious information. It can be easier to expose work in a self-published format than the classic Word file or A4 paper ream.
My personal belief is that this advantageous position needs to be supplemented with a careful injection of skilled opinion from some of those who provide feedback – writing is not something that grows to high skill by just writing. I observe that a large percentage of self-publishers inadequately expose their work to close scrutiny by good, established writers and reviewers
for constructive purposes and consequently squander this opportunity.
Self-Publishing is Fun
Self-publishing, as an act of translating a word-processed document into an ebook or a printed book, is fun. And potentially quick, albeit with commensurate quality issues. There isn’t a better feeling than holding your book in your hand or viewing it in an ebook reader. It is satisfying to get complimented for a job well done. Self-publishing allows these positive reinforcing emotions to be part of one’s life.
The secret is not to let it swell your head, nor to reduce your need to keep improving.
Traditional publishing is also fun, as long as the author avoids the poorly run or even rip-off presses – they exist but largely can be avoided with homework. Most middling and large presses are good to work with, in part because it is in their interest, and with the right team-up and mutual respect, can bring to bear talented artists, designers, format specialists, editors, and proofreaders.
Self-Publishing Enables 100% Control
While I believe that this category is a two-edged sword, it is undeniable that all responsibility for quality is entirely up to the writer with self-publishing. Additionally, if the writer wants full creative/business/marketing control, self-publishing meets their needs completely. Understandably, a writer who wants a break but can’t find it through ‘traditional’ avenues would be tempted to self-publish.
I can’t blame them. I hope that these self-same writers truly exhaust effective career paths, truly get quality, unbiased feedback, and make every effort that the end product is of a high, professional standard.
Self publishing comes in so many colours now Gerry, it’s getting harder to define what it actually is anymore. With the major publishing houses now ‘sticking their toes in the pond’ as well, it has become a difficult term to nail down.
I must be one of the ancient self publishers as I started printing my own books back in the 80’s. I was in the printing industry then, so it was easy for me to run off a few hundred copies of my poetry books and essays.
As I look back now, I think it was much easier then as I could sell my books without being compared to anything or anybody else. The problem I find myself in now is that my books are being compared to those produced by traditional publishers. In a way, I suppose this is because readers are now not making a differentiation between how a book is produced and therefore a book is a book. (or ebook.)
Just this morning I read a new review of one of my books and was quite astonished that while it was complimentary about the story, the main complaint was that it was not a 110,000 word novel. (Standard airport issue novel.) My first reaction was to think about offering a refund on the $2.99 price so that the reader could afford $9.99 for their next Simon & Schuster standard 110,000 word romance purchase.
The other problem I see happening more and more is that ebook publishing is becoming confused with self publishing. Perhaps the 50 Shades of Crap effect at work here. But in general, I believe the quality of ebooks is much lower than that of printed books; from both traditional and self publishers. One of the reasons maybe the necessity to work in so many file formats. I know from my own experience that this can be nightmare and can lead to a lot of errors.
The one thing I know is that I don’t have the resources to compete with major publishers or even small press, and I don’t want to either. Neither do I want to be compared to them. I self publish as a hobby, as I always have done, but it is becoming less and less fun now as the market has become saturated with rubbish from all forms of publishing and the techniques being used now to sell ebooks has become so intertwined with social media and spamming that any literary sense has gone out the window.
So, I probably should fit into your ‘fun’ category as I don’t fit into the others. But sadly, it’s not that much fun anymore.
As usual, you bring up good points, Derek, and I think that many of your negative observations are linked to the flooding effect. It is sad, ironic, that Amazon, the major player in enabling self publishers to publish, chose to do it in a way that works counter to good writers (of any mode) interests.
I think the crux of the matter Gerry is that Amazon’s Kindle is not about writing but simply about content, and lots of it. As digital music sold iPods and iPhones for Apple, text content sells Kindles for Amazon. This therefore is not publishing as we have known it before. It is a ‘device’ and ‘platform’ battle, not a literary one.
There is certainly a platform battle in the written word field, as there is one in the music field. However, the impact is huge for readers and writers (listeners and musicians). There are differences however – listeners still prefer to listen to the pro-musicians and they don’t pay (and there is no ‘flood’ mechanism where lsiteners pay for) the crap music. It is differentiated by a number of mechanisms, much more mature than in the written word. Amazon helped engineer it that way – they make money from it. Regarding Apple – how much of their music sales are from ‘nobodies’? Very little.
Readers and good authors are affected by this, but it isn’t because of the platform war – it is because of a business model war.
Gerry & Derek, I agree ebook publishing and self-publishing are getting mixed up in people’s minds. My first two books I published through Lulu which did a great job. I didn’t have the funds necessary to publish a third or I self-published an ebook myself. It was not near next Simon & Schuster standard 110,000 word but I did the best job I could on it. I am still working on a print copy which will have thousands more words later. In the meantime, I wanted to determine if there is a market for my new ebook here at Angies. I do agree writing anything is fun only when we’re writing it. Marketing is a bitch. Joyce