So there are many sites and blogs about traditional publishing vs. self-publishing. Which is better and what works for which type of author. I don't have personal experience with either so I'm going to discuss how this decision has fallen to me and what I plan to do about it.
When I finished my novel "Wormwood" I was super excited. I want to get it out to everyone who could ever want to read it. So I started querying agents, I found that agents are completely bombarded by authors seeking representation. There is so much noise directed in their direction that it's virtually impossible for an unknown commodity (like myself) to even get my sample chapters read. The process of getting noticed usually takes years, showing up to their speaking engagements following their blogs etc... But I want my novel out sooner than later, I want people to read it. So I did some research, I sent my book to some small publishers, I looked into self-publishing. I received some interest from two small publishers, but they would want a percentage of any royalties and the rights to my book. What happens if they go out of business, what happens if my book sits on their site and sells two copies??? It's a pretty big risk to take when a year or more's work is in their hands. This book is my baby, I don't want to lose it when a small publisher goes under in this difficult business.
I came across one of my favorite authors http://HughHowey.com I always thought he was with the big New York publishers. He's a best-seller and writes really amazing science fiction. It turns out he's self-published, not only is he self-published, but he's an advocate for self-publishing in general. Visit his site he's broken it down to a science.
Hugh's major point is why as writers are we giving publishers a piece of our hard work when the online publishing world is available to everyone. Every consumer gets their books online now, whether it's through their Kindle or buying print books from Amazon... His point is why should we let someone take a percentage for something we can do ourselves. Why take 40% royalties or less when we can get 70% doing it ourselves.
I kind of agree with him especially for my first book.
Of course there are some huge benefits with traditional publishing; namely marketing and promotion. If you self publish you do everything yourself, no one will ever know your book exists if it's not marketed and promoted.
So I think the best course for me is to self-publish, hope to build a following and then hopefully the traditional publishers will come to me. I have started my platform, that is what this is, have a look around. I've started to put my name out there to feather the bed for when my novel is released. At first I will be depending a lot on family and close friends. I appreciate every single one of you.
So please if you're into social media -- tweet or post my website on your facebook page, linked in or twitter etc. etc.
Thanks for reading. I will continue to share my journey into the publishing world here.
-Micah
When I finished my novel "Wormwood" I was super excited. I want to get it out to everyone who could ever want to read it. So I started querying agents, I found that agents are completely bombarded by authors seeking representation. There is so much noise directed in their direction that it's virtually impossible for an unknown commodity (like myself) to even get my sample chapters read. The process of getting noticed usually takes years, showing up to their speaking engagements following their blogs etc... But I want my novel out sooner than later, I want people to read it. So I did some research, I sent my book to some small publishers, I looked into self-publishing. I received some interest from two small publishers, but they would want a percentage of any royalties and the rights to my book. What happens if they go out of business, what happens if my book sits on their site and sells two copies??? It's a pretty big risk to take when a year or more's work is in their hands. This book is my baby, I don't want to lose it when a small publisher goes under in this difficult business.
I came across one of my favorite authors http://HughHowey.com I always thought he was with the big New York publishers. He's a best-seller and writes really amazing science fiction. It turns out he's self-published, not only is he self-published, but he's an advocate for self-publishing in general. Visit his site he's broken it down to a science.
Hugh's major point is why as writers are we giving publishers a piece of our hard work when the online publishing world is available to everyone. Every consumer gets their books online now, whether it's through their Kindle or buying print books from Amazon... His point is why should we let someone take a percentage for something we can do ourselves. Why take 40% royalties or less when we can get 70% doing it ourselves.
I kind of agree with him especially for my first book.
Of course there are some huge benefits with traditional publishing; namely marketing and promotion. If you self publish you do everything yourself, no one will ever know your book exists if it's not marketed and promoted.
So I think the best course for me is to self-publish, hope to build a following and then hopefully the traditional publishers will come to me. I have started my platform, that is what this is, have a look around. I've started to put my name out there to feather the bed for when my novel is released. At first I will be depending a lot on family and close friends. I appreciate every single one of you.
So please if you're into social media -- tweet or post my website on your facebook page, linked in or twitter etc. etc.
Thanks for reading. I will continue to share my journey into the publishing world here.
-Micah
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