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A LOT of them have huge stories behind the reason they self publish. Stories that most people will never know about, because when someone releases a book, it's not like you can say on the blurb,
"This book is self-published, but I actually once had an agent and a book deal with a Big 6 publisher, but decided to go the indie route because I felt it was better for me, both professionally and emotionally."
(This happened to my friend Leigh. T. Moore, and this shall be BIG THING No. ONE.)
"This book is self-published, but I actually once had an agent and a book deal with a Big 6 publisher, but decided to go the indie route because I felt it was better for me, both professionally and emotionally."
(This happened to my friend Leigh. T. Moore, and this shall be BIG THING No. ONE.)
BIG THING No. TWO:
"This book is self-published because I spent years and years querying it, was told that the writing was great, but no agent believed they could sell it. So ... here's my book. I don't need to sell a million copies, a few hundred is enough for me. Plus it's been through so many edits after all the agent feedback, I doubt you'll be able to find one thing wrong with it."
BIG THING No. THREE:
"This book is self-published, but actually it was once traditionally published by a small press. Unfortunately they liquidated and I had to get it back on the market as quickly as possible before all my marketing efforts went to waste."
BIG THING No. FOUR:
"This book is self-published because even though I have a contract with a small press, I still have to do the majority of the marketing, so I figured I would be better off getting all the profits for myself. I mean, why not? It's selling thousands, and I'm doing all the work anyway!"
BIG THING No. FIVE:
"This book is self-published because even though I have an agent, and it had been on submission to big editors at big publishing houses for about three years, and despite all my agent's efforts, no-one wanted to acquire it. But my agent and I still believe in this book. So, here you are."
I'm sure there are plenty more BIG THINGS I could mention, but these are probably some of the most common.
So ... I urge you, next time you think about purchasing a self-published book, think about the story behind it, and the effort it's taken to get it out there, and the heartache the writer has been through to finally come to this decision. Self-publishing is no longer for the impatient ... it's for authors that have done everything they can before finally deciding to take their fate into their own hands. Next time you purchase a self-published book, do yourself, and us, a favour. Replace, "This is self-published because no agent or publisher thought it was good enough" with one of the statements above.
What's the first thing you think when you pick up a self-published book?
PS: Don't forget to check out my 2 for 1 Birthday Giveaway.
My sense is that increasingly there is less of a stigma associated with self-publishing and I believe that will only continue given the impetus for writers to go it alone.
ReplyDeleteI am also not sure the average reading public takes much note of whether it is self-published or from a publisher. I could be wrong however.
It can no longer be about whether an agent will pick it up. Books don't sell to the traditional houses like they used to. Writers can spend years, rewriting and waiting, with no sales. And they're terrific writers. I love checking out self published books, not only do I like the price so I purchase more and read more, but some of the writing is fantastic. And I love that some of the stories are honest and aren't so edited and stripped. I find I enjoy the scenes that just explore character and don't introduce some crazy plot twist.
ReplyDeleteBut just like any book, self published or not, I read the sample first, to see if it's for me.
When self-published books are regularly found in libraries the stigma will ease.
ReplyDeleteThat was me, Judy Mintz.I don't know why it came up as anon.
DeleteI never thought of that, but it makes complete sense.
DeleteThe problem is that the good self-published books are buried under a tsunami of really bad ones.
ReplyDeleteSee, I think that's an assumption too many people make. How do you know they're really bad?
DeleteGood point Jessica.
DeleteThere are plenty of really bad traditionally pubbed books too. If I didn't know a million writers, who recommend all the good books to me, I'd probably have to wade through a lot more of them.
DeleteI agree with Ted. There are more than a few really bad self-pubbed books out there. And by bad, I mean the author's grasp on language and grammar is so tenuous, the story is unintelligible.
DeleteThis isn't to say there aren't fabulous self-pubbed books. And sure, there are plenty of crappy trad-pubbed books too, cliched stories with poor structure and no character development. Here's the thing: I've yet to read a trad-pubbed book where the fundamental rules of grammar have not been met. Typos yes, especially in digital versions, but I'm talking basic grammar here.
More often than not, self-pubs fail because the writer didn't think s/he needed an editor. Huge mistake. We all need editorial help. We all need feedback. Even editors need editors. If I check out a self-pubbed book by a new-to-me author, I always peek at the acknowledgments. No mention of critique partners, early readers, or editorial input, and I start to worry.
~VR Barkowski
I know because I've had to read at least portions of thousands of books on Authonomy over the past few years, and many of these end up self-published (I've even bought a few). Ninty-nine percent are really not ready, and many are downright awful.
DeleteSome of those are kinda funny. Finding an agent who couldn't find a publisher to take the book? That happens far more often than most people realize.
ReplyDeleteYes, I had that experience years ago with a book an agent said was 'better than good.' I am still not published but will self-publish someday when I get organised and am not living in the Third World.
DeleteThis is the story of my life. Publishers want themed cozies not my dark, psychological thrillers. I'm sure my agent would like to bury me somewhere. Hmm, that might make an interesting story.
Delete~VR Barkowski
So true. So glad that the stigma of self pubbing is diminishing. Writers(and readers) should support writers no matter how their books are published! :)
ReplyDeleteI actually am having problem number four. My publisher just put my book on Amazon (“Tome of Victims” by Paul Yoder) and they are doing absolutely zilch to market my book. This is really sad since, not only did they “edit” my book for me (when I received my “edited” book back, they had actually misspelled words that were previously correct), their in-house cover designer whipped out a shammy cover that looked like they had taken my mockup and butchered it. It was bad. In fact, I’ll show you the differences below.
ReplyDeleteMy Cover art:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B7ABFQU
(This is actually my cover in response to their butchering of my first draft. I think the first draft is cleaner and more presentable, but they wanted me to darken it.)
Their Cover art:
http://www.unlimitedpublishing.com/yoder/
After all the work I’ve put into my book, and the apparently little effort they’ve put into it, I hardly think it’s worth a writer’s time to even deal with small publishers, at least small publishers like the one I’m with.
It's a good thing that the sigma is wearing off. I've read some fine self-published books. And... there are duds out there too. But the cream will rise to top, it always does.
ReplyDeleteHaving had a chance to read so many wonderful self-published novels and short stories, I try not to think of the story behind the decision of self-publishing. As a reader, I focus on how YAY-Dance-A-Jig-Happy I am that the writer got their story out so I can read it :-)
ReplyDeleteI've read some great self published books...and I've read some bad big industry published books. I think the self published issue isn't as big, or shouldn't be as big, as people make it. People have been self-publishing for a long time... I'm pretty sure Thomas Paine self published Common Sense.... because, you know, his thoughts and writing were unacceptable at the time but he wanted to get the word out.
ReplyDeleteI believe self-publishing has evolved. Most of the self-published books I have read lately are not filled with annoying spelling and grammar errors. As in most aspects of life there will always be the bad....
ReplyDeleteOh, I think there are LOTS of good reasons to self publish... super timely topics is another reason. And all the reasons you've listed INCLUDE the quality checks. I think the hard part is people who aren't ready can ALSO do it... I want to see more 'quality verification' things--a way for books that are GOOD to prove they've been through all the steps and set them apart from the 'I wrote a book! Now I'm publishing!'
ReplyDeleteI don't care if it's self-published or not. If the cover and the blurb draw me in. If the story or premise of the book appeals, that's what makes me buy it.
ReplyDeleteSelf-publishing will always be an option, once I reach that rejection-saturated point. Thanks for the reasons that only writers can appreciate, readers won't necessarily care how long it took you to get it out there. I say it shows tenacity and resourcefulness.
It had to be said, and you do it so well.
You know about reason number three firsthand, don't you Jessica?
ReplyDeleteAnd most of the time, I can't tell who published a book.
I work as hard on my self published books as I do on my agented ones. I don't think there is a stigma anymore. If the blurb interests me, and if the cover has been designed professionally, I'll go for it.
ReplyDeleteI admit, I look at self pub'd books differently, and how stupid is that? One day I might be self-pub'd. Thanks for bringing this topic to light.
ReplyDeleteD.G. made two great points. Readers don't care usually about the backstory of the author -- all they want is a great read that touches their hearts and maybe even makes them laugh in today's grim world.
ReplyDeleteSecond, a great title and gorgeous cover will draw me to a book. As a writer, I say a prayer for each self-pubbed book I see. This was a thought-provoking post. Roland
YES. THIS.
ReplyDeleteI don't look to see the publisher. I look for the description and read the first chapter, and if I'm hooked, I'm in. =)
ReplyDeleteAlmost universally, you can tell if a self-published book is going to be bad if the description/blurb is, um, let's say, less than compelling. If it begins "This is a book about..." run away very fast. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Jessica! And as you know, Big Thing #5 applies to The Truth About Faking, which yanno, is the old joke. Nobody thought it would sell, and surprise! :D
ReplyDeletePublishing is changing so much right now. It's cool to be a part of the process and to have choices, even if it's exhausting! <3 <3
So true. i will always praise indies! it takes guts and savvy to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteI have read some horrible self-published fiction, but I agree it's a pretty broad brush to paint anyone with. I've also read some emotive, powerful self-published fiction (ahem, Jessica Bell, Anne Riley), so it's definitely case-by-case for me at this point.
ReplyDelete