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Post by Jansina on Apr 30, 2012 14:27:47 GMT -6
These days, authors have options when it comes to publishing. We no longer need to go through a publishing company--though we still can. Aren't choices wonderful? Which method do you prefer, and why? Let's talk about the facts of both traditional and self publishing...control, royalties, marketing, level of respect, &c.
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Post by Antoinette on May 1, 2012 12:06:05 GMT -6
I think that at the moment, Traditional publishing would be wisest if you want to make a career from writing. Self publishing is great, but often self-publishing 1. Doesn't reach that broad of an audience as traditional publishing does, and 2. Often doesn't come into print. Now, in the past (before the publishing giants became giants) small publishing groups were successful. Think the modernist movement. But I think that as the publishing companies become more and more monopolized and a part of big business, the more difficult it will be for upstarting publishing companies and self-publishing authors.
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Post by neri on May 1, 2012 15:09:16 GMT -6
I am a big fan of traditional publishing, but when push comes to shove, if no one's going to publish my works I will.
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Post by Anjali on May 2, 2012 14:12:55 GMT -6
traditional publishing...
Neri, never give up! JK rowling was rejected by 12 publishing houses. Stephanie Meyer 16 times (i think) and 27 publishers rejected Dr Seuss!!!
moral of the story: never give up!
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Post by Emilie on May 2, 2012 21:44:11 GMT -6
It's true. You have to keep trying and never give up! Rejections from publishing houses is a part of being an author. Sure it'll be super disappointing, but I think in the end it'll be good for us. With self-publishing, it's true that you might not have as wide of a reader base as you might by going through a publisher. A lot of the advertising is done by you and your friends. But I've been thinking. Would it be possible to maybe bring your book to your library and see if they would take it? That would be another way of getting it out into a more public setting. Or if it is on Amazon, maybe approach your bookstore with all the required information when requesting they get a book in. As for me personally, I think at the beginning (if I publish at all), I'm going to start with self-publishing. It isn't my biggest desire to be a published author, as cool as that would be, so self-publishing would be the way I would go.
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Post by Antoinette on May 4, 2012 8:33:03 GMT -6
Haha, well see, it has always been my desire to be published. While some of the self-published books out there are decent, they are still rife with typos, etc... I want this as my career so I'll do everything in my power to be published traditionally, until maybe I start my own company.
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Post by Catherine on May 4, 2012 9:01:15 GMT -6
I want to go with Traditional Publishing, I don't trust myself to edit the book well enough to have it do well. And like Nettie, it would be my dream to have a career as an author so going with traditional publishing would be a good idea.
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Post by Jansina on May 4, 2012 9:07:10 GMT -6
Self publishing is actually gaining more widespread respect these days, if done well. It does require more marketing work from the author themselves (or if the author has the funds to hire a marketing team), and it won't automatically be available in bookstores (though it IS possible to get in). I did a lot of research before choosing how to publish Forgotten Memories, and ultimately decided that for what I wanted, self publishing was a better option. Now, being published was already a dream of mine. I'm a girl of many dreams, but since I first started to write at four years old, this was what I wanted more than anything else. By self publishing I don't feel I've given up on that...it never felt that way. Quite the opposite... I took control and made my dream a reality. I am a published author. I have physical copies of my book, and fans (crazy!). I plan to self publish all my future books, as well. As for typos...I've seen those in all types of books, so they're not limited to self published pieces. But that's why it's important to have at least one other pair of eyes read through and give suggestions. I had three different people help with Forgotten Memories...friends and family who happen to be bookworms and good at grammar. Some things to keep in mind with traditional publishing are royalty rates (I need to check this again, but as I remember, self-publishing gives a higher percentage--though of course no advance), author control (some authors have no choice over the title, cover, even book content, once an editor takes over), and shelf life (the majority of books are available for a couple months, then pulled and forgotten. It's only the bestsellers that continue indefinitely).
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Post by Twinkle on May 4, 2012 13:53:34 GMT -6
If I ever decide that I want to publish something I would want to do self-publishing. And like Jansina said about an author having funds for a marketing team I wouldn't (and I don't mean to brag or anything) need funds to find a marketing team because my dad is starting a business for marketing
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Post by Jansina on May 14, 2012 12:28:36 GMT -6
That's always nice, to have marketing options available! I've worked in the marketing department of a couple different companies so I know some basics...rather helpful. I just discovered this place... I guess I'd call it a middle ground, between self publishing and traditional: www.publishamerica.com/submit.htmThey are a traditional publisher, but it seems they make it easier on the authors to get their books published, because they recognize that you can do a lot of it online without the upfront costs. (Books are still available in print via them, though I think they take about a year). They still put a lot of the marketing work on the author, but have options if you want to pay, and have connections most authors wouldn't have. I'd still go with CreateSpace for myself... I enjoy making cover art and it doesn't look like doing your own is an option here--plus I think they charge more for the books than I'm able to via CS. (The majority of Publish America's books are over $17 to $30, and their ebooks are $10). Y'all should check it out, though--it might be just what you're looking for.
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Post by Catherine on May 14, 2012 12:45:00 GMT -6
That's really neat!
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