Discussing 'Q: Self-Publishing' in the Ask and Tell for Writers group

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Q: Self-Publishing

Started by disneypotter, Friday, August 3 2007. Last post Thursday, July 10 2008.

This question is for any self-published authors out there. I'm just curious why you chose to go that route, rather than go through the mainstream publishing process. Did you try to get an agent or publisher first? Or did you just decide that it would take to long and you wanted to do it yourself?

Also, were you happy with the results? What was the actual process like for you? Did you get a lot of creative say?

quilterofwords - Saturday, August 4 2007

I did self publish a chapbook back in 2004, of poetry. When I first decided to do it, I really just did it for me, so that I would have something to show others in what I write and to make a record of it for copyright purposes.
I got a copyright through the U.S. copyright office.
Doing that encouraged me to seek out publishing.
I have known, and know of writers/poets that self publish and do very well in their sales. Of course, not at the magnitude of having a publisher backing you, unless you are very lucky, have lots of spare time to dedicate your self to your book and have the funds to promote.
I found that self publishing can be fun and productive and it is faster then waiting for a publisher to accept your manuscript, or book idea etc…
It is also, a very good learning experience for a writer, as most things are, that take hard work and dedication.

disneypotter - Wednesday, August 8 2007

How long did it take you to get your book through the printing process and delivered to your door-step? Would you recommend a first-time writer just go directly to self-publishing, like you did, or try the "mainstream" route first?

quilterofwords - Wednesday, August 8 2007

It took a year and a half, from the time I submitted the book, to the publisher. Before that, I had to prepare a manuscript for submission, which took me about six months. All in all, two years in total, for the overall preparation.
I can tell you that I am glad for the experience that self-publishing gave to me, and I think, in many ways, it prepared me for publishing elsewhere.
So I won't recommended either or for, a starting writer, because what worked for me and ended up being a benefit to me, may not work for someone else.
Some people find that they would rather wait it out and not publish until they have a publisher to do it.
What I do recommended for new writers is to read everything about writing, submitting, preparing a manuscript and read what publishers are looking for. It isn’t a bad idea to just submit a poem, here and there to contests and other type places, which are looking for poetry.
If poetry isn’t your genre, submit short stories to places that are looking for them. When and if you should get rejected, ask what was wrong with the piece for why it was rejected? Keep a file of rejections as well as those things that were submitted. This is a good tool to reflect back on.

disneypotter - Monday, August 27 2007

Thanks for all the great info! I'd never been able to get a straight answer on just how long publishing a book took before. One more question if you don't mind...I'm just curious what (if any) books you read about submitting and preparing a manuscript. I've read a few different ones and they all seem to have different ideas about how to format the manuscript.

GentleJourneyAuthor - Tuesday, August 28 2007

Dear Diz, my experience with POD is a little different from quilt. I would suggest you try very hard to sell your book to traditional publishers. The POD books that sell tend to be non-fiction and well promoted which takes up all your writing time for the next novel. I am very happy with the look of my book. Price is hard to keep down, though. It only took me four months from submission to finished book and that was because I kept finding my own mistakes in the galley proofs. Everything was done online, and was easy as pie. The reason I did publish it though is that I and my husband both had cancer and my mother was having a lot of medical problems. I wanted her to be able to see it printed before she died or I died. I did not think I had time to wait. My husband did see it, before he died. I am fine now, and my Mom shows it to all her friends at the assisted living home. I have been able to sell quite a few more books than I thought because the publisher I went with keeps in touch with the authors with suggestions of how to promote the book. I was very happy with them, but there are many reviewers who will not review the book if it is self published, and you cannot use the book as one of your writing credits when soliciting other writing work. Contact me if you have any other questions.

disneypotter - Tuesday, August 28 2007

Thanks for your very detailed response. I get so many mixed responses about self-publishing, most people feel very strongly for or against it, that it's nice to get a personal response from someone that has actually done it. I'm very sorry to hear about your husband, but I'm glad that you and your mother are recovered, and that your mother has something to boast about! :) I like the idea of self-publishing because of the (more) instant gratification aspect, but the price and the reviewing thing is hard. You've given me a lot to think about!

preciseedit - Thursday, July 10 2008

A good self-publishing company will assist you with the copyright, ISBN, promotional materials, and book placement on retail buyer databases.

Choosing a good company, though, is critical, as the industry is biased against vanity presses. Try to find one with a good reputation and quality standards.

Choosing a good editor is also critical. Although you can publish anything and everything, the quality of the content will affect sales. Having that second eye, whether for analysis of the content or for final polishing, pays for itself.

One final note: Tolstoy self-published "War and Peace." The book has since been picked up by major publishers--obviously. Self-publishing first can lead to contracts with major publishers later.

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