Why I won't self-publish

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Added: Thu. Aug 06, 2009 6:40pm
Posted in: Books

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I want to be a writer more than I can say. It's been my dream since I was a child, and to facilitate that I took as many English and writing courses as the various schools I attended offered. I also read. Man, did I read. Everything and anything; I have a voracious appetite for words that has no end. But the fact I read a lot does not mean I don't appreciate quality.

I'd love to be published. To see my name on a book cover would thrill me beyong measure. I imagine I'd park in Barnes & Noble for hours, pointing to my name like a 3 year old fascinated with a butterfly.

I also know how hard it is to get published. Agents and editors get thousands of submissions every month, and the vast majority go straight to the reject pile. Most writers don't know that many manuscripts get only seconds of the editor's time. If the first paragraph doesn't grab them or is laden with grammatical error, cliche, or deathly dullness, that's all you get. So that first paragraph better be perfect, and it better be exciting.

Editors will read past my first paragraph. I already know that. In fact, I have a whole pile of handwritten rejection letters from editors who liked my work, but still didn't buy it. So even if it's good...maybe it's not quite good enough. And sometimes it is good enough, but it's not what they're looking for.

It's pretty discouraging, and a lot of writers decide to self-publish as a result and a lot of them make money as a result. I don't have anything against self publishing, but I still don't want to do it. The reason is simple. If my writing doesn't grab an editor by the eyeballs and staple them to the seat...it's not what I want to put out there. I don't want to write mediocre. I want to write books that are so powerful they resonate across generations.

I don't want to be famous, it's not about that. I just want to be a great writer. Some writers stop me in my tracks. I can't put the book down and I can't stop thinking about it. That's the kind of writer I want to be. If I'm not a great writer...then I don't really deserve to be published. and so I shouldn't be. I'll be honest. I don't think I have the talent. But I intend to keep at it.

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sherisaid
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Posted 8:47 am February 8th, 2010
That's fabulous, congratulations! When I wrote this, I was thinking of what I write, science fiction. I think my opinion would be different if another type of book were on the table - cookbooks, self-help, advice, spiritual guidance, YA or children's books, real-life experience...really anything other than adult fiction. I think other types of books would find a receptive audience online, and I'm glad to hear yours did. I'll check it out
Moonlight Skywriter
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Posted 8:43 pm February 6th, 2010

I am a self published author My Book Grandmas Pocket Pals did come out a short time ago last month and I am proud of it, if you google it you will see me and if you also go to Florida Book News you will find me there too. www.floridabooknews.com

I did sefl publish I could not wait anylonger. its been 5 yrs since the book was done and waited for the illustrator from hell to finish and she wasted my time over the years for the pictures.

The next book i do, do, I am going to do all my illustrations myself. in black and white, this book grandmas cost me 5000.00 for 400 copies and 20 to the illustrator upon a contract. so i can tell you its not cheap... do not let anyone tell you LULU or create space or booksource or any other vanity publishing they are fools, I chose to sell t he books my way with a special gift attached to it.

so I am selling and making the most money I ever thought if i had a tradtional publisher
sherisaid
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Posted 4:18 pm September 1st, 2009
I write some scifi and some fiction....and have tried my hand at short story and novel. I've got a novel half in the can and one day I'll finish it because I really like it...and a collection of long short stories I could easily novelize.

to get them out there, just submit to magazines - Asimov's, Analog, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, and many others acceot unsolicited submissions. They are all online, just look for a submissions page and follow instructions. But don't get discouraged, the odds are astronomical that you'll be published. Just keep trying.
galaxybeing
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Posted 5:11 pm August 29th, 2009

Hi, sherisaid. Thanks. Got the same problems and I agree with you about the self-publishing bit. What kind of writer-short story, novel-length, fantasy, horror, love, unrequited and other kind, are you? I love writing. I've written five short stories so far, (love, SF, fantasy)and am working on my 6th, but lack the knowledge on how to get them out there in front of people that can make the difference. That's the problem with most artists, they know their art, but, lack the business sense or skill to get it out there.
gittinitstrait
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Posted 6:46 pm August 11th, 2009

Today I saw the movie "Julie/Julia". I learned that Julia Child was not born famous and credible. Getting her first cookbook published was not a slam dunk. I believe she experienced regrets and fears about her 'value' in the marketplace, too.....briefly, before another publisher did see the potential in her work.

Thank you for being so open in sharing your thoughts about self-publishing, because in your article and as a result of comments and discussions, there is much to learn from. I am new at reading blogs and since seeing above mentioned movie and reading a few on this site, I am gaining a healthy respect for them and their creators. I am thinking that I will participate.
sherisaid
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Posted 1:12 pm August 10th, 2009
thanks, linda I'm glad to hear that...Maybe I will never be satisfied with my own work...although, I have to say, I love my fiction the best. I've been writing an awful lot of article type stuff lately..one of these days I'll get back to fiction.
linda k
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Posted 10:09 am August 9th, 2009

Sorry, I omitted a word in the sentence:It depends on what the interviewer is looking for but it doesn't mean your qualified. It should say not qualified.

Thanks, Linda
linda k
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Posted 10:06 am August 9th, 2009
I think you are a gifted writer. People want to hear what you have to say. They follow you through your blogs or tweets. I agree with Rose that anything you do you have to do for yourself first. People look forward to your featured blogs. A friend of mine just self-published his first book. He did it to fulfill a dream he always had to have have his name printed on the book but most of all because it's his passion and wanting others to feel what he is so passionate about. He's now being asked to speak to others because of it. You will never know where it will take you unless you try and maybe try again. Many famous authors started out just like you are. I'm sure not all of their works were published and some fail first before they succeed. It's like a job interview, you don't always get the job the first time you apply. It depends on what the interviewer is looking for but it doesn't mean your qualified. You can certainly see the passion you have in your writing and I look forward to as I'm sure many others do to your future blogs.
sherisaid
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Posted 8:48 pm August 8th, 2009
Mary, I must say that your title alone makes me want to read your book best title ever. and maybe you're right...maybe I'm just fatally self-critical. It's not about fame or even about money (ok, money would be nice)...I just don't want to be mediocre, and I'm afraid I am!

Mary, I am a writer. I write every day. But I always dreamed of novels, and that's not happening...largely because I have to write like a demon to make a living. But one of these days things will change and I'll get more time for myself, and at that point, I'll get back to that novel I have half-written...it's pretty good stuff, at least I think so. I just have to find an ending that satisfies me and edit it. a lot.
Rose Lamatt
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Posted 5:23 pm August 8th, 2009

Hi Sheri,

You say you want to be a writer. You already are! You wrote this, or anything else. If you really want to be a writer, you write, that's what we writers do. Whether it's for our selves, or for a living. As far as self publishing I will agree with Mary, (running with stilettos) I great title by the way. Self published writers have been picked up by traditional publishers for years. In fact some even search the Internet for them. That's where Miss Dazey comes in. 'Publishers accept material that sells.' That is it in a nut shell. I used to think as you but changed my mind, and have written three self published books. I'm glad I did, because I did it for 'me', and no one else.

Rose Lamatt author of 'Just a Word', 'Connected' and 'Don't Look Forward'
Running with Stilettos
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Posted 2:34 pm August 8th, 2009

Hi Sheri,

I can't speak for anybody else, but I went with self-publishing my book "Running with Stilettos: Living a Balanced Life in Dangerous Shoes," and I'm so glad I did it. In fact I'll have a sequel coming out at the end of the year the same way. A lot went into rolling the dice on this decision, among the thought were that I wanted something tangible and three-dimensional to give to my kids, and I'd rather have fun spending a year promoting the book than spending it knocking on publishers doors and asking "am I worthy?" Making a pile of money at it is still a pipe dream, and I'm sooooooo.... glad I've got an interesting day job with nearly a decade seniority, but in a "dollars spent per units of fun gained" I've certainly hit the jackpot!

Mary

www.runningwithstilettos.com
sherisaid
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Posted 9:08 am August 7th, 2009
Don't get me wrong - I think self-publishing is great for the most part. And some sefl-pubs have gotten picked up by publishers after gaining independent fame. My problem is not so much with self-publishing as with self-doubt. I want to be sure that what I write is good enough, professional enough, and interesting enough to be foisted on the general public...and my problem is always wrapping it up, finding an ending that is exciting but not commercial, unexpected but logical.

I'd probably self-pub an instructional book, though. A friend suggested I publish one on how to be become a content writer. I might do that.
MissDazey
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Posted 7:29 am August 7th, 2009

I am the opposite, I am working on 2 small books I will self publish. Publishers accepts material that sells and makes them money.

However, I would to see what I can do marketing them myself.

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Why I won't self-publish

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