Should you Self-Publish? My New Thoughts
Hello Fellow Writers!
A couple years ago I posted on this subject and at the time my feeling was, don't self-publish if you're *only* self-publishing because no publisher will publish your books. There are so many small presses and e-publishers out there, my feeling was that if the book is good enough then *someone* somewhere would be willing to invest time and money into it by paying for an editor, cover designer and promo etcetera for you, so you aren't stuck with those costs.
Now I'm not so sure how I feel. I do think there's something to be said for being "vetted" by a publisher. There's a real feeling of accomplishment that comes with having a total stranger tell you that not only is your book worth reading, it's worth them investing time and money into the project by contracting it.
But then... I read stories about people self-publishing, selling their books for 99 cents, and making a fortune. We all know about Amanda Hocking making a million dollars (literally) on her 9 ebooks, and then getting a 2 million dollar traditional publishing deal.
Yesterday I heard about author Selena Kitt in this article here. Incidentally, I was already following her on Twitter. She made over $200K this year with her self-published ebooks. Yeah, it's only April. The year's not over yet. HOLY SH*T.
When I see things like that, and I see how expensive my books are comparatively, I wish I could choose to have a lower price point for my books. But the publishers set the price, not the author. Unless, of course, you self-publish, in which case yeah, you can do whatever the heck you want.
I understand why my publishers have to have a higher cost for my books - they have to pay everyone who helps make the book happen, and have enough left over to pay royalties to the authors and have a profit for themselves. So I'm not begrudging them making money. This is business. I understand that completely.
So I've been thinking about the possibility of self-publishing something. Specifically, an idea for a trilogy of novellas that I have. But I also wonder if I have the guts to put something out there that hasn't been given some sort of external validation by a publisher. I wonder if I can objectively look at a book I've written and say "yes, this is good enough." I'd definitely have to hire an editor and cover designer, etc.
My mind has been spinning lately with all these thoughts. What are your thoughts on the subject?
A couple years ago I posted on this subject and at the time my feeling was, don't self-publish if you're *only* self-publishing because no publisher will publish your books. There are so many small presses and e-publishers out there, my feeling was that if the book is good enough then *someone* somewhere would be willing to invest time and money into it by paying for an editor, cover designer and promo etcetera for you, so you aren't stuck with those costs.
Now I'm not so sure how I feel. I do think there's something to be said for being "vetted" by a publisher. There's a real feeling of accomplishment that comes with having a total stranger tell you that not only is your book worth reading, it's worth them investing time and money into the project by contracting it.
But then... I read stories about people self-publishing, selling their books for 99 cents, and making a fortune. We all know about Amanda Hocking making a million dollars (literally) on her 9 ebooks, and then getting a 2 million dollar traditional publishing deal.
Yesterday I heard about author Selena Kitt in this article here. Incidentally, I was already following her on Twitter. She made over $200K this year with her self-published ebooks. Yeah, it's only April. The year's not over yet. HOLY SH*T.
When I see things like that, and I see how expensive my books are comparatively, I wish I could choose to have a lower price point for my books. But the publishers set the price, not the author. Unless, of course, you self-publish, in which case yeah, you can do whatever the heck you want.
I understand why my publishers have to have a higher cost for my books - they have to pay everyone who helps make the book happen, and have enough left over to pay royalties to the authors and have a profit for themselves. So I'm not begrudging them making money. This is business. I understand that completely.
So I've been thinking about the possibility of self-publishing something. Specifically, an idea for a trilogy of novellas that I have. But I also wonder if I have the guts to put something out there that hasn't been given some sort of external validation by a publisher. I wonder if I can objectively look at a book I've written and say "yes, this is good enough." I'd definitely have to hire an editor and cover designer, etc.
My mind has been spinning lately with all these thoughts. What are your thoughts on the subject?
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Thanks Tonya! I'm definitely thinking seriously about it!
I love that I self publish, have the freedom to do my own covers, marketing, promo, book trailers (coming soon) and websites, but my ad budget can only go so far. I do have to re-read and re-edit many times and sometimes that still isn't good enough because things still get missed that your own eyes don't see.
Should you decide to self pub a book or two, there are many who are willing to help, me included, so think about it. One or two books will let you know how it works at least. Good luck!