Self Publishing Should Be Your Backup Plan
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2009
by Mike Fak
http://mikefak.com
I received quite a few private e-mails over the last few weeks and I appreciate them all. I think I received ten from writers, none of whom I recognized as Warpies, who asked me to look at a bit of their work.
In all cases the manuscripts needed a great deal of work. Almost every one of them didn't have any descriptions of anything or anyone in their writing. In several cases I could tell the writer was in a hurry and that never serves an author well.
One writer came back with a "Thanks a lot. I didn't realize this until you showed me".
Eight never returned my communication and I imagine it is because they really expected me to tell them they were headed for a NY Times Bestseller list.
I did get one e-mail back stating I was nuts and the young man already had approval from a self-publisher for his book so I obviously don't know what I'm talking about. He had signed up with one of the more notorious vanity publishers and the only thing I said in my reply was to please make sure they correct the misspelling in the title of his book. Yep, that should give one pause to question some of these vanity houses.
I often consider the analogy of book publishing to be much like American Idol. A hundred-thousand strong try out for the chance to show the world they can sing. Very few make it and if you ever watch the show, you realize a great many hopefuls really can't sing worth a lick. But because they want to be a singing star they try out and refuse to recognize this isn't what they can do in life. Just because you want to write books doesn't mean you can or should for that matter.
What happens in the world of vanity publishing is that every one of those hopefuls gets to have their book published if they want to spend some money and that muddies the waters for the good writers who find their good work entangled in a world of mediocre books.
In one of the columns I directed you to previously, the owner of lulu.com, which I consider very honest, admitted that his company was probably responsible for publishing the worst collection of poetry in the history of the written word.
The difference is Lulu doesn't kid anyone about their skills. They simply act as a conduit at a very modest price to allow anyone who wants to say they have a book to actually fulfill that goal. They never make any promises to a writer and I commend them for that.
Of course that means there is less and less chance for the capable writer to be found in a sea of books with bad grammar and poor imagery.
I have noticed many of you Warpies are far along in the skill process of being a good writer and I feel bad that when it is your time to try and shine, you won't be noticed with so much dullness surrounding your work.
I don't see any answer for that except please do not give up on being taken in by an established agent before you revert to a self-publisher. Yes, the process is long and aggravating but I feel there are some of you out there who shouldn't sell yourself short until you have tried.
In other words, if you can write, self publishing should be your backup plan and not your initial goal.
You have spent a great deal of time on your work. Give it a while longer and try to catch the eye of someone who actually can get your book into bookstores. At least a couple of you out there will be surprised when you get a yes. At least that's what I think in my brutally honest opinion.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)This reads like the last lesson of this course, but unlike a final lecture, it's just as valuable as all the previous articles on the subject. I have soaked in every line of your series on self-publishing. I appreciate your generously sharing your precious literary experience. Thanks, Mike. ~mogama~And thank you for the kind words Mogama.Writers need to stick together as we all are a little eccentric you know.Mike
Mike,As a Lulu-er, I agree. Tough for even those who shine to shine amongst the excessive gloom. I do, however, agree with you on getting published traditionally. I currently have a New York Publisher ready to take one of my books. What with 99% of the self-published less than worthy for print (as in reading beyond family and friends) it is the only way to go.Glad to hear your news, Jeff. There are times for self publishing, especially in limited, special numbers such as a family-only memoir or a business history for clients.But the odds on really big numbers in self-publishing is near astronomical.Mike
Thank you, Mike. I have looked at these self-publishers, and have tried to read a couple of books from one author who paid through the nose. He was a doctor and an executive with the hospital who featured his books in the gift shop!! It was, well, not good.My plan is to send you some of my work when I feel it is ready.Thanks again. Great advice.I'm sure you have a good book in you Ken. I have a nose for good writers and you are one of us.Yes, sometimes a bad book is worse than never having one.Mike
Thanks for this article...haven't gotten there yet but I look forward to when I am ready.Well, good luck to you James.MikeJust as an FYI, I was over at Lulu dot com, which I hardly visit these days, for some book info. and I noticed my book displayed on the home page under "staff picks." What a pleasant surprise. Have a great week, Mike. (Sorry, this was supposed to go under Jeff's comment. I couldn't erase to move it there)Hi Jeff. See, sometimes the cream floats to the top and you don't even have to be watching.Mike
Hi, Mike. I'm a new "Warpie" and I've also self-published my novel "The Point" via Lulu. I spent three summers writing the story, several years editing and chasing publishers before finally going it alone. In the past year I've sold 1,000 copies and I'm looking forward to marketing in earnest beginning this summer. It's my dream come true and I encourage any other serious writers to give it a try . . . if they've got patience for the long haul.Hello John.It seems you understand there are three essentials with a book, publishing, self marketing and plenty of patience. Good for you and all the best of luck.Mike
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