There’s a whole lot of chatter out there on the Internet these days about self-publishing. Some people still think self-publishing is a secondary option to traditional publication, some fear a deluge of poorly edited books, some are heralding self-publishing as not only the way of the future, but are fast proclaiming anyone who foresees a future with traditional publishers a hopeless dinosaur.
(Speaking personally, I think there’s room for all models in the new era, we can all get along, and I’m a bit confused about why these debates have taken on such an ideological/religious tenor in some circles. But I suppose that’s not the stuff great blog posts are made of.)
Back to the question at hand: would you consider self-publishing? Under what circumstances?
Poll below! (you’ll need to click through if you’re reading on an RSS reader or via e-mail).
Anonymous says
I put "only if I don't find a publisher", but I really need to check both that and "for side projects" and "other." "Other" is because my agent has told her clients she talks to Amazon, etc, and is keeping an eye on how agents might function within the sphere of direct-to-digital, etc, in the future.
Plus, I don't want "just any" publisher. I write romance, which has a number of e-only presses, but if I were going to do that, I'd self-pub instead. It's not that I don't appreciate all the things those companies do, but–with the exception of Carina, the e arm of Harlequin–most of them don't provide enough incentive for me to find them an attractive option.
As and AUTHOR, I see the appeal of self-pub and the "democratizing" possibilities that people rave about. As a READER I dread the flood of crud. I think that's frequently the disparity you see in discussions of self-pub.
Anonymous says
Stunned by the percentage of people willing to self publish if they don't find a traditional publisher interested.
Um, if I don't find a traditional publisher interested, it probably means my book sucks.
No amount of publishing it anyway is going to fix that, writing another book hopefully will.
Cathi says
I'm hoping to never have to make this decision…
Maureen Mullis says
I cannot tell you how many times I've gotten requests for my complete ms to be told the agent really likes it but with the market the way it is ….
Self-publishing is a way for me to get published now, and we'll see what the future holds as far a traditional publishers/agents go. I agree with you, there's room and readers enough for all of us, and I don't think one is better than the other.
Melissa says
I chose "with a side project," but I'm not sure that's actually the reasoning I'd use.
I'm published in non-fiction. Audience is sub-niche. If I published again for that audience, I'd self-publish, because the publisher couldn't give me a wider audience than I can reach myself.
For fiction, I'll stick to traditional… at least at this point… because I don't have the audience yet.
swampfox says
Oh, btw, I voted no.
Anonymous says
This came in an email to me today — Barnes and Noble has a new service called Publit where you can upload your self pubbed book and it will go on sale there within 48 hours, I think. So others can buy it straight from them. Yay, or not?
https://pubit.barnesandnoble.com/pubit_app/bn?t=support&sourceid=L000001469&cm_em=clipp75@aol.com&cm_mmc=Other-_-Misc-_-101006_MI01_PUBIT_ROLLOUT-_-proothfaq
Maya says
Nathan –
Fair enough, I'll accept your answer. 🙂 At least you said:
"when in doubt give the traditional publishing process a try first".
-Anon@12:46
Anonymous says
I meant I was Anon@12:36. Heh, I should just use my name.
Tchann says
I have a dream. I've had it for a long time. I want to see a book, written by me, on the shelf of the library I grew up with. The library my mother works at. It's a goal I want to achieve like CRAZY.
I'll not only court traditional publishing – I'll stalk it until every bit of the industry is exhausted and if I still don't have a book on that shelf, then I'll do it whatever way I have to. Whatever it takes.
Anonymous says
A more pertinent question for me would be:
Would I consider going with an indie e-publisher (instead of a traditional one)?
(I don't know the answer yet.)
kerrygans says
I chose "side projects." For my novels, I would definitely prefer a tradtional publisher, so I could take advantage of the things they have to offer.
However, I am deeply into genealogy and am compiling a book(s) of my research. These would only be of interest to my immediate family and other researchers looking into the same families that I am. This project would not interest a traditional publisher, but a POD-type self-publishing model would work well for it.
Anonymous says
RE: SP: If I could be sure of professional editing, layout, marketing, and distribution, etc.
I would notch up my consideration.
Mariam Maarouf says
Self-publishing is more convenient for an author IF said author has experience with the publishing industry – the distribution, the marketing, the cover-art, the EDITING. Self-publishing is sometimes misunderstood – misinterpreted as the 'easy way out'; you don't have to query, you don't have to wait, you get a higher royalty, and you get to control EVERYTHING.
BUT
You have to make that book compete with the rest, traditionally-published books regarding everything.
God, I'm not even making sense.
Bottom line: if you're choosing it because agents/publishers wouldn't buy your book, you might want to take a second look at it; you're probably not the world's upcoming Shakespeare. Seriously.
And if you're choosing it for the flexibility: be careful and choose well.
Rebecca Stroud says
Almost a year ago, I began the arduous journey of searching for an agent by – first of all – studying ad nauseam how to write the perfect query.
After I had that down pat (in my mind, anyway), I selected Nathan. Within an hour, I received a rejection that "my work was simply not for him."
I cannot tell you how grateful I was for that email. Meaning: The book I was proposing is a compilation of animal-related newspaper columns. Though published, my platform is just about ground level. And Nathan, bless him, sent me on my way to e-publishing.
For the more I read about it, the more I felt like this was the way I should go. I could spend months/years chasing the elusive ace-agent yet – even if I found a taker – I'd spend another year or two…waiting. Not my strong suit.
So, I bit the bullet and learned all I could about e-publishing. As my columns were already written (and self-edited, too), I learned how to format in HTML. I did my own cover photo; no caption, but no biggie.
And, other than a couple spacing errors and one page of bold text (my fault), the book previewed pretty good.
Bottom line: The Animal Advocate was published on Amazon's Kindle two days ago. And, although the long haul of marketing is staring me down, I am proud and pleased that I went "outside the box" when – for me – the inside of that box was most likely going to remain empty.
As for traditional vetting: Yes, crap abounds among some indie authors. Yet, as an avid reader, I've seen so much *yuck* published lately by well-known writers that – again – I'll take my chances knowing that readers aren't stupid; they can find a diamond in the rough easily. Just hope I'm one of them…
Rebecca Stroud says
OMG…I see that my comment posted four times! Don't know what happened as it kept "canceling" it out…..anyway, SORRY!!!
Roguecyber says
Why should you self publish? Because it's scary.
It's scary to be out there on your own, with only yourself to blame for the success or failure of your works. Most people do not have the skill or fortitude to be an entrepreneur.
Be lazy, get a trad pub. Let them determine your success or failure.. 🙂
Rick Daley says
I've considered it, but I'm more interested in traditional publishing.
WORD VERIFICATION: bacula. After the modernization of the vampire, there will be a retro movement to the pure origins of the Transylvanian count who started it all.
Nathan Bransford says
(deleted) anon-
Over the line. There's no reason for personal attacks.
lotusgirl says
I'm surprised at how high the percentage is of those who would self-publish. Wow. I wouldn't want to do that in a million years.
Lori Henry says
Self publishing is a tempting avenue, but I'll be looking for the agent-then-publisher route for my book. As much as I like the idea of earning more royalties and having all the say in the design and look of the book, I'm a write and I just want to write. It's easy to get caught up in the "other" stuff, but I have to remind myself to just keep writing and leave the editing and designing to those who are experts. 🙂
Fawn Neun says
I've done it for side projects and for things that have already been published and the rights have reverted. I've done it for things that don't fit anywhere in the traditional scheme of things (i.e. novellas). It's actually quite a lot of fun. There's some projects, however, that I feel better marketing through a more traditional publisher.
TERI REES WANG says
Considering, yes.
Still on the fence.
A friend took the self plunge with his first. It must have given him a step up, since he received major professional backup on the follow-up book. He made to the shelves of Starbucks. So the initial push was worth it.
Cheers!
Scott says
I think this one depends entirely on the project.
With something that has a shot at being the next Harry Potter, go for trad so you can get all that publicity and legitimacy behind you. Every school librarian in the land will be pushing your book.
If you just finished a quick, dirty little paranormal romance that doesn't quite fit mainstream conventions but might still probably grab the attention of several thousand Twilight fans, go self-pub/e-book only.
As in the experience of Amanda Hocking (https://amandahocking.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-thoughts-on-indie-publishing.html) you could make a LOT more money that way than trying to hack it with a small press that can't sell much for you anyway.
Daryl Sedore says
Only self-publishing for me. I would never go traditional. The traditional model has too many flaws, in my opinion.
1.) Rights: I wouldn't want to spend a year or more writing the novel, caring for it, nurturing it, then six months editing it just to give it to one of the Big Six so I can receive 10%-15% royalties. Never.
2.) Royalties: Roughly 10% for the first 10,000 copies sold and then 15% after that. So on a $26.00 hard cover I'd start at $2.60 per book. And yet Barnes & Noble buys the $26.00 for $13.00. Barnes & Noble, a book store, makes 5 times what I make per book and I wrote it. Never.
3.) E-book royalties: 40% ceiling in traditional. And that's only because Wylie stood up to the plate. 70% at Amazon and 85% at Smashwords for self-pubbed. Do the math. On a $4.99 e-book, I make $3.50 at Amazon and $4.24 at Smashwords. Go figure. That's a much cheaper book for the reader and I make more as the author.
There are too many reason to list here. I have about 30 more. They're all in my upcoming book called Publishing Exposed: The Sedore Report.
Good luck to all those going traditional. The Big Six will be the Big Two in about 5-10 years. The Big Two: Amazon and Apple
Jeffrey Beesler says
In the late 90's I posted episodic installments of a series based on some chatroom buddies of mine. In that sense I suppose I'd embraced self-publishing before ever truly knowing what it was.
These days I am willing to publish in whatever format will get my writing directly to my readers. My readers don't really care how I get it to them as long as I just give them what they need.
Michelle Davidson Argyle says
It depends on the project. I have already self-published a fairy-tale themed novella, but I have also just signed a contract with a traditional publisher for a thriller novel. I like that I can do both!
Self-publishing is definitely not for everyone. It's nice that there are things we can choose that work for us.
Koneko says
If I had a platform to build off, yeah, for my current story I'd do it: it's an experimental idea, and around 40k, so… for fantasy, particularly non-romantic, I haven't really found a market it fits yet.
I'm more tempted to let it go for the love, though. It took so much of me, taught me how to write short, and tested the limits of what my mind would let me write (I'm not really into blood… but then I had to kill someone "on screen" :|) that money doesn't entirely seem worth it, anymore.
Ishta Mercurio says
I know that I need the eyes of an editor on my work in order to see the areas where what I have done is good, but not quite amazing. I want my work to get to "amazing" before it gets to the shelves.
Anonymous says
I think it's the validation. I write literary fiction, which is hard enough to sell when pubbed traditionally. But part of the heaven/hell of lit fiction is the ridiculously impossible chance of being published. It's not just about being read; it's about being considered brilliant. And getting short story into VQR or Agni would be a reward in and of itself–not the same as self-pubbing it and having friends and relatives read it.
minawitteman says
@Mariam Maarouf. You are making perfect sense to me.
Getting a book out on the market — and I assume we're talking about a broader market than family and friends — involves so much more than just writing it. That seems so easily forgotten. Of course a writer could purchase most of the services needed to deliver a competitive book (editing, cover art, illustrations, etc.), but that will involve a serious investment. If you take such an investment into the equation, the self-publishing royalties aren't as glorious as they may seem at first sight.
Traditional publishers have the expertise and — not unimportant — the marketing and distribution channels, that will give a book a better chance out there.
Carol Riggs says
In August, I self-pubbed my fantasy novel JUNCTION 2020 via Amazon's CreateSpace, which is print-on-demand. This is better than regular self-pubbing because there is not an initial cash output! I got to design my own cover, too. I tried POD as an experiment, with a novel I stopped querying about, but didn't want to shelve. This way, at least a dozen people have read my book already, and liked it. I can give copies to my family, friends, etc. Cool!
However, I am still trying for traditional publishing. If I never attain that, at least I will have ONE book with my name on it.
(which is very cool thrill to see, let me tell ya).
My book if you're curious:
Junction 2020 on Amazon
Catherine Blakeney says
Only if eBooks truly become the dominant form of publishing do I think self-publishing will ever be equal to that of traditional publishing, at least for mass market books. The Internet may yet be the great equalizer. But brick and mortar stores still dominate, and the only way to get in them in a big way is with the traditional route.
Stephanie Faris says
I have to admit, I've thought about it over the years. It's been a long, rocky path for me…but I got some advice early on that stuck with me. A well-known author said it in answer to someone's question about e-publishing at a workshop. She said it's all about your career path. You have to sit down and map it out at the beginning and ask yourself, is e-publishing/self-publishing going to help you make your goals? If someone's goal is just to write and get their work out there in a small forum, why not? But I just personally would rather wait for a traditional publishing deal.
Anonymous says
I self-published 20 or so years ago, before POD and ebooks, when it was both expensive and a lot of work. Although the novel did well, selling over 2,500 copies and attracting the attention of a editor at a major house, I didn't consider self-publishing when I lost a contract with her for what would have been my second novel. And I said I wouldn't consider self-publishing again because of the stigma and the fact that self-published books are ineligible for reviews in key journals and most awards.
All the people on this and other sites, however, are pushing me to change my mind. Because so many midlist authors and their series are being dropped due to low sales, self-publishing may be the only way for those authors to stay in the game. And small presses may offer prestige and eligibility for critical accolades, but they take all your rights and don't do anything with them, and pay you very little money.
Anonymous says
Nathan what do you think about literary fiction and self-publishing? I just do not see a place for it.
Ryan Fortney says
I chose yes and that I won't even be looking for a traditional publisher and here's why:
Over the two and a half years it's taken me to write my first novel, the first in a series of six, I've read so many negative things about traditional publishing that it isn't even slightly attractive anymore.
I've decided that I have enough confidence in my work and enough power, myself, to go the "self-publishing route."
In the long-run, if my book does really well, I can sit back and say, "Hey man, you did that yourself. People love your work and it isn't because of a big-house pubby — it's because of your passion."
Not to say that others don't have passion.
I honestly feel that this is the best path for me. I'm a real do-it-yourself kind of guy. I get a large amount of satisfaction out of it.
And I realize that there are people that will disregard what I've written, even if I price it at, say, 2.99, but hey, their loss.
Honestly, do what feels good. Go with your gut. This is what my gut tells me.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Still think it depends on the project. There's a lot of literary fiction falling through the publishing cracks these days.
Maggie says
Personally, I would not self-publish. I have absolutely no problem with people doing it if that's what is right for them, but for what I am looking for as an aspiring author (wider reach than my personal acquaintances, for one) it is incredibly hard with self-pubbing, as I've seen firsthand working in bookstores.
Imagine yourself going into a bookstore to spend $25 of your hard-earned money on something that you are then going to spend a lot of time on reading. Would you really be likely to pick up something you've never heard of, with a cover that's probably not quite professional looking, and not from a publisher you've heard of? Maybe you would, but I wouldn't, and that's why I wouldn't self-publish.
I feel like, if I can't find an agent and get a traditional publisher to pick up my work, I need to improve it, and if I can't, maybe I'm not meant to be published right now. Just my two cents, and I know lots of people think differently, and to each his own! If you're looking for something different than I am out of publication, it could be great for you.
One caveat: I do think self-pub is great for one thing, and that's niche titles that you have a platform for but not a big enough platform for a publisher to pick you up. In the bookstore I worked at, self-pub books came in all the time and sold very little, except for a book about a very specific kind of gardening in our state's environment. That sold really well (well for a self-pub book that is, still not really well compared to most traditional pub books), because it was the only thing out there.
Roguecyber says
Three things…
Now: It is currently in an authors financial best interest to self-pub, IF they are small press or niche. If your a NYC best seller it probably too big to manage without an agent, etc.
Future: When "the book" goes away in the predicted 5 to 10 years (per the trad pub houses), do you want to have control over the relationship with your audience, or do you want your publisher to own that relationship.
Agents: How long will it before there are agents who specialize in matching up indie authors with editors, cover artists, marketers, reviewers and voice actors outside the traditional publishing model?
David says
I used to shun it and look down on it and view it with horror and so on. Circumstances changed my opinion.
It happened step by step. I didn't even realize that I was approaching the precipice.
First, I republished as ebooks my old novels that were originally published in the standard way. That was so easy. I even got checks in the mail. Sooo tempting …
Then – oh, shame! – I took the plunge and published an original work as an ebook. And I felt a vast sense of relief. Now I'm … I'm … sob! … looking forward to doing the next one the same way.
But I'll query a few agents first on that one. Just in case.)
Roguecyber says
Another thing:
Outside of certain genre fiction, do readers ever look at who published a book?
Yet Another Thing:
At this moment, per the poll, 65% would participate in some form of self-publishing. If I were an agent I would like long and hard about that trend. Especially how to make money off of it. 🙂
Susan Kaye Quinn says
You're always on the leading edge, Nathan, and I truly appreciate that. I think there's a lot of turmoil over the self-vs-traditional publishing routes because people have so much vested (in both options). But I love your take: it depends on the project, the author, and possibly even the timing (in their career). Maybe we can de-stigmatize and let people find their audiences?
Ann M says
I agree that it depends on the project. I think if the book is targeted for a main stream audience, it's probably better off with a major publisher. But, if the book is more of a niche then it might do well beings self-published, since it would be easier to find (and market to) the audience the book is aimed at.
Douglas L. Perry says
I have self published, but it was for a couple of reasons. First, I thought that my book was going to be for a much narrower market. Turns out I was wrong about that, but that's another story (sorry for the pun)
Second, I got pretty far in a BookSurge contest and they gave me a pretty good deal, which I assume is why they held these in the first place, right?
The real question is, would I do it again?
I'd say maybe. If the book were for a very narrow market, probably, but otherwise, probably not.
Kristin Laughtin says
For niche/family things that I wanted nicely bound, I'd go through a self-publishing service. If I wanted my work out there and couldn't/wouldn't do it through a traditional publisher, I might consider creating a website on which to publish my fiction writing. MIGHT. It would depend how badly I wanted it out there, or how much I wanted to promote it.
terryd says
I feel quite fortunate to be working for The Man (Orbit Books, two-book deal). I can't imagine performing all the behind-the-scenes work necessary for a world release.
The book is available almost everywhere (U.S. and Commonwealth formats) and is on the shelves of 180-some library systems.
Helpful hint for those with books out in the world, or looking for a certain book in libraries: try worldcat.org
dormannheim says
i would…under these conditions: Writing daily 35+ years. Writing published in magazines. Oodles of rejections for creative nonfiction books and novels. i would, and did. i do.
Marianne (witchie) says
I thought about it…but that was before I published with a small press that offers booksellers the same returnability that the large houses do…so my books will be on the shelves as well.
For me self-publishing was a last resort. But I know plenty of indie authors that it was their first an only choice.
Nathan, your right…it's become a topic that makes people's blood bloil and opens the door for otherwise decent writers to be torn to shreds. Of course there will always be the schlock that gets self-pubbed…but taking that path shouldn't automatically demean the quality of the work.
i'm just thankful I didn't have to go that way.
Marianne Morea
Author, Hunter's Blood
SSB says
I would only consider self-publishing, but only if a really cute agent like you rejected me. Okay, I know you said it wouldn't work, but a writers gotta try.