What's The Real Deal On Self-Publishing?

I'm back home and feeling a bit behind, to put it mildly. "Miles to go before I sleep..."

But as promised, I'm going to answer the questions I've been asked a lot lately. Remember, these are only my opinions ...

I was recently approached and asked the question on the mind of some of my local writer friends. What's the deal on self-publishing? From a writer's point-of-view, self-publishing is a way to avoid rejection and the slush pile. But there's a price to pay. Not too long ago, the stigma of the self-published was pure vanity in the eyes of not only editors, but the public.

According to the agent Kristen who blogs at www.pubrants.com ... and I quote "... I really do look at the glass and see it half-full. There have been many a fabulous story told of an author who self-published and then later had the book picked up by a traditional house. (I think Laurie Notaro and Christopher Paolini come to mind.) Remember, those stories are amazing because they don’t actually happen often ... I do want you to know that I have yet to take on an author via this medium. I didn’t keep exact stats but over the course of 4 years (my agency opened in 2002,) I’ve probably considered about 50 or 60 self-published books. Peanuts really."

It's a crap shoot. Remember that ... if you want to impress an agent or an editor with your self-published work.

However, if you can stay away from Publish on Demand and other self-publishing houses, and do the work yourself, the pay-off in terms of $ to you is fantastic. It's all yours, baby.

Sure, you have the initial outlay costs of someone to convert your manuscript into a PDF file and then the cost of a printer, but Dan Poynter's book, The Self-Publishing Manual, is one of the best to show your next step in the process. He also sites references to contact for printers, etc.

Instead of the publisher grabbing the profit and then you getting your tiny royalty of what ... a dollar or two maybe every time you sell a book ... the profit goes in your pocket.

PROVIDING ... you're willing to work your ass off and get out there and sell it! Non-stop. Which means you don't die on the vine in three months as the typical book usually does. You control how much the public is exposed to you and your work. And there's the problem of finding a distributor. They don't like to take self-published books, so you have GOT TO SELL THEM YOURSELF!

There's the kicker for most folks. Okay, Pam, time to write is one thing, but marketing my work? You're kidding, right?

Nope. Not a bit.

Do you really think your publisher is going to put you in the spotlight? Do you honestly think the traditional publisher with his fancy publicist is going to get behind you 100% and give you all their energy to make you a success? Think again. Those dollars are reserved for Elizabeth Kostova, Dan Brown, Patricia Cornwell, and the rest of the mega sellers ... not you. And especially if you're a first time author ... ain't happenin', my friend.

Unless of course ... you breakout. But that's for another blog.

There are things you can do to insure your success; it's in your hands. You may need a speech coach, a publicist, or someone to edit your work professionally. It takes time, energy, and some money. But in my mind, self-publishing is not a mark of doom--not these days. In fact, you can create quite a platform. And if you write a hell of a story and sell a lot of books ... who knows who just might come knockin' on your door.

Any way you look at it ... self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. It's takes more courage and determination to self-publish than to lay your work at the feet of an editor. The pay off is bigger per book, but the work is endless, and you still have to find time to write your next book.

If you're thinking about it ... do your research and make an intelligent decision. Have a markeing plan. Also, don't rule out the big boys in New York, but as tough as the competition is ... you might have to get in their faces (big shot publishing houses) and sell enough of your own books first to make them sit up and take notice.

Hard to do? You're damn right it is.

Impossible? Not in my mind.

Think about it.

Blessings to you and yours.