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.

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