Jane Buckley's Blog: Is Self-Publishing a failure?, page 4
January 11, 2021
Does self-publishing your novel mean you’ve failed?
The short answer is no, but it sure feels like it. Those horrible rejections one after the other. You read so many articles and advice books telling you not to take rejection personally, but by heck you do! It really does hurt. As someone who is about to self-publish the first in a series of novels, it is something that I’ve had to learn to cope with in order to stay motivated. So up to now, what have I been doing? How has it affected me?
Have I considered giving up?
Oh, so many times! Those who know me would describe me as stubborn, tenacious, determined, or even pig-headed! When I start something, anything, I just have to finish it. And herein lies the answer, I kept going, I kept at it.
Was I angry with how my submissions were rejected?
Of course I was! But one thing that pissed me off was how much time and effort it took to prepare each submission, including the dreaded covering letter and synopsis and if it wasn’t good enough, your manuscript most likely goes straight into the recycle bin!
Some publishers won’t acknowledge receipt of any submissions using the reason that “we receive hundreds of submissions and haven’t got time to respond to individuals. So if you don’t hear from us…blah blah blah” But of course, you don’t sit still and end up waiting in vain.
Those who eventually do respond use the same old generic “copy and paste” excuse. “The subject matter is not within our remit.” Although I’d spent hours – as advised - making sure I was targeted the agent or publisher!
Then of course, there’s the adrenalin rush you get when you see a response by email or letter from an agent or publisher and you think, is this it? Will my dream come true! No. Your heart sinks. Rejection :(
Do I stick it on Amazon and hope for the best?
Do you know how many books are on Amazon? I was almost afraid to find out but I eventually gave it a google and found myself stunned. In 2014 there were 3.4million books on Amazon and some eejit in the world worked out that’s 12 new books added every hour of every day! Imagine what it’s like in 2021! Worse still, Amazon take a huge cut that leaves authors practically penniless.
Should I take a risk and self-publish?
Before answering that, you need to be clear about the costs involved in self-publishing. Here’s what I “owe myself” so far;
A professional editor
A professional copy editor
A professional proof-reader
A professional on-going social media and website designer/guru person
Designing and printing the book
Printing a proof of the book
Printing the final version minimum order 1000!
The time I will spend in the future marketing and selling the book(s)
The time I’ve spent ignoring my husband by locking myself away to write
The time my husband has spent ignoring me by editing, reading and re-reading the many versions
I don’t care how much time it takes but I do care how much the whole thing will cost. That’s why I can’t offer my book to you at £5.99 like Amazon or any other giant retailer :(
However, I’m not giving up and neither should you! If you believe in your product like I believe in mine, we will succeed. Being an indie author means everything is under our control and we will reap the benefits of the risk and hard work!
If you feel the same way or have any advice (I may not take it but it’ll be welcome and I will respond!) then please leave a comment or share this post and be part of my journey to success.
And so it begins.
J.
January 1, 2021
How I Deal With My Own Bias
A few weeks ago, I was interviewed on BBC Radio Ulster and was asked a fair and interesting question…
“When you’re writing a story like this, how do you tackle your inherent one-sided-ness?”
On air, time was limited so I talked briefly about how I used to mix with those of other faiths through sport. However, I’ve been thinking about this question ever since and thought I’d go into this a little more.
As a teenager, I was a good swimmer and, as a result, was able to travel all over Ireland and Scotland - albeit I wasn’t good enough to get to England! My experience of long & tough training weekends in Derry and at the amazing 50-metre pool in Jordanstown Uni, allowed me to meet all sorts of people from varying faiths, classes and politics. To this day, a number remain true friends.
The other reason, and probably the most important, was my parents. I was brought up to “never judge a book by its cover.” Forgive the pun, but truly that was how I was raised. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors or what’s going on in someone else’s head. We’re all human, not mind readers, and we shouldn’t pre-judge anyone full stop.
I appreciate I was privileged to have had such experiences so young, and undoubtedly, they prepared me for the ‘real world’ - especially as a 17-year-old Irishwoman moving to London in the middle of The Troubles. Sport had allowed me to connect and talk to anyone, no matter their background - my first husband ended up as a London Policeman, for goodness sake!
Although times have moved on and we are beginning to heal in the North, I believe it’s more important than ever that we keep check of our biases and remember to see people for who they are - PEOPLE! :)
Anyway. Rant over! What’s been happening this week?
Once again, being open, I’ve struggled a bit lately with the current lockdown. The weather has been horrible, and I’m fed up walking up and down the same lane with my poor dog, Ned. I’m sure he looks at me at times as if to say, “Really? We’re doing this again!”
You may have seen or read about the cock-up at the ports meaning most printing companies in Ireland are running out of paper! There is such a backlog of goods stuck in containers waiting to be released.
Sadly, we're looking at four weeks until I get my first delivery of Stones Corner, Turmoil.
Fortunately, I can send all your orders directly from an online distributor, so they should get to you by next week! Frustratingly, I won't be able to sign them or thank you personally for your support :(
The lovely Jenni from Little Acorns Bookstore here in Derry has agreed to stock my book (when it finally arrives!), and I’m absolutely delighted. I really look forward to working with her – thank you Jenni!
Kindle sales are going strong, and I’m dying to hear those reviews, so bring it on! It’s 461 pages long, and I’ve been told already, “…it’s a bloody good read!” You can pick up the kindle edition here.
Thinking ahead when COVID is finally over, we’re planning a book launch of Stones Corner, Darkness later this year at the Playhouse, Derry, with a very special guest joining us, so watch this space.
The week ahead….
I’ll be interviewing a lady and gentleman who worked in the shirt factories in Derry for many years and hearing their stories. All are to be shared on this blog, so stay tuned
And remember, never judge a book by its cover!
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