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| Laurel Garver |
One
of the biggest questions I faced when considering publishing paths is “Is
self-publishing the right path for me?”
Hearing from agents “this is good, but…” (too niche market, crosses genres,
etc.) doesn’t automatically mean one’s only option is to go it alone. In my
journey, I’ve met many who have found a great home for their stories with small
presses.
My
desire to strike out on my own had more to do with my desire for autonomy and
my existing experience in magazine publishing—two things that gave me a certain
edge in taking on being my own publisher.
When
I was invited to contribute to Indiestructible,
I knew that “is it right for ME?” was the question I felt most qualified to
talk about. Indie publishing can be overwhelming and disheartening if you lack
a key thing: entrepreneurial drive. Having experience with either design or
marketing or basic business skills is a bonus, but many of these areas can be
outsourced.
What
can’t be outsourced is vision. You have to have it for yourself. No one is
going to build the right one for you and your work if you don’t have one. A
publicist can only get you so far. Even he or she will ask you to build a
long-term plan—one built from your vision for your work.
My
article “Five Essentials to Succeed in Self-Publishing” teases out what
comprises an entrepreneurial spirit. These include being:
- Passionate
- Resource-Minded
- Eager to Learn
- Goal-directed
- Creative
Other
contributors to this collection share personal stories about learning to dig
deep and develop “the entrepreneur within” so that their stories had a chance
in the world. Indiestructible is sure
to be an inspiring and eye-opening resource for anyone considering the indie
path.
What questions arise for you as you
consider the question “which publishing path is right for ME?”
________________________
 |
| Just $0.99 on Amazon |
100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.
Contributing authors:
Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen
Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn
________________________
About Laurel Garver:
Laurel Garver is a
magazine editor, poet, and writer of faith-based fiction. She enjoys quirky
independent films, British TV, and geeking out about Harry Potter and Dr. Who.
She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Learn more about her
books at her website.
________________________
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I'm not sure I have vision... And I KNOW I am reluctant to take on pieces of it... I am slow to warm up on technology. But I fell in love with serials, and this is the only way I know to do those, so there you have it...
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you Laurel! And thanks for hosting, Jessica!
This is such a great book. In fact, I was just telling a writer friend that she needs to buy it!
ReplyDeleteA question that I think of? (who can I get to do the social media part) I do have some options in mind when and if I decide to go self pubbed. I like to see others succeed and wish all of you the best. I keep it in my back pocket as I keep submitting.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, Laurel!
I think every writer asks themselves at some point or another "Is this the right path for me?" Laurel provides a great analysis of this.
ReplyDeleteI originally started by sending my stuff to publishers. A few years later, and a few hundred rejections (plus one "Well, let us think about it, no, never mind") later, indie publishing became possible with places like Lulu and such, so I self-published a couple of things because I could. By then I was doing more writing for blogs than for books, anyway.
ReplyDeleteWith the Kindle, it became so easy, and so possible to actually make some money, that I gave up on 'real' publishing altogether, aside from one tiny side project.
So I didn't really choose this path so much as have it chosen for me by everyone in publishing. That said, I enjoy seeing my stuff in print and having people read it, so that's nice for me.
with the article at this point when i want to help talk Around the top three tips regarding success. Success might be several different details IN ADDITION TO we tend to be all able to reach MY OWN dreams. But let me get you an question. success
ReplyDelete