This post was prompted by a discussion of self-publishing–taking the “easy way”–that I stumbled across in my internet wanderings. Rather than beat people over the head with my opinions, I left a brief comment there (no, I don’t remember where exactly–I actually started this post during NaNo and only now rediscovered it) and came back here for the Director’s Cut version.
On 12/1/10, I became a self-published author as my book Knight Errant was offered for sale.
Contrary to some opinion expressed in that discussion, I can assure you I am very serious about my writing. I have revised the book three times over five years, when not writing other books. It is my third completed novel, but the first I’ve been able to polish into publishable form.
I think the “will customers risk money on unknowns?” issue is met by the wonders of previews. Amazon, I understand, allows a customer to read the first chapter before buying. PubIt, with Barnes & Noble, will allow customers to browse the whole book for an hour, as long as they are in a Barnes & Noble store. I’ve also placed the first three chapters online, free for anyone to read.
I’ve priced it reasonably for an unknown, as well–if you like the first three chapters, you can risk a whopping $3 to see if you like the rest.
Yes, I did try the traditional publishing route. One highly respected agent kept my work for a year before deciding not to risk taking me on. Not because she’d forgotten she had it. Because she could not decide.
Knight Errant is space opera with a gay not-white main character who is YA age, but the book is not YA. “Hard to sell” is what I get for writing an out-of-the-box book that’s good, but not utterly brilliant. I still think there’s a readership for it, and now I’m poised to prove it.
Would I rather go traditional? Six months ago I would have said “Yes!” and made grabby hands for the contract. Now I’m not so sure.
I like knowing my book and my career depend on me. No publishing is guaranteed. Smart agents take on books they end up not selling all the time. I could get a great agent, a fantastic advance, and then the book never gets unboxed at one of the national chains because something else is already selling like mad, and my book goes under without a burble and my career is gone.
What I think everyone needs to realize is that self-publishing (done so as to have a chance at success) is not “the easy way.” People think a couple clicks will get them where they want to be, not realizing that everything a publisher would do for them, they have to do for themselves. Editing is an absolute requirement–and doing it yourself means doing it a lot. A good cover is necessity, not luxury. Self-promotion, for most of us, is dang hard.
On the other hand, there’s a saying that holds a lot of truth. “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself.” My book will be out there despite not fitting into the proper slots (despite not breaking the slots brilliantly). My writing will be there for all to see, and to decide on their own.
I’m happy with my choice, and my chance. I can only hope that others won’t waste the chance with foolish haste to be “a published author with just a few clicks of a button!”
Obligatory plug: here’s my book.