That Old, Outdated Dinosaurs Vs. The New Kids On The Block
When you look at Traditional publishing compared to Indie publishing, it reminds me of, The Old and Outdated Dinosaurs vs. The New Kids On The Block. To me, there's just such a huge difference in comparison. Traditional publishing, being the old dinosaurs just have not kept up with the times. While Indie publishing has grown with the time and the world of today.
While I think a little professional competition isn't going to hurt anyone... I'm almost amazed at the dislike, and almost hatred that Traditional publishers, literary agents, and even some writers who choose to follow the traditional path seem to have towards Indie authors, publishers, and publishing. I mean, Traditional publishers, agents, and writers seem to turn their noses up towards Indie writers and publishing. There's just no respect there. But in my opinion, one day, they're going to have no choice but to give Indie authors and publishing its due respect.
Being a Indie author/publisher myself, I have no problem with the Traditional way or path. But its like a dinosaur. The ways, path, and standards that they seem to follow, stand by, and live by is old, stale, and outdated. We live in a ever changing and evolving world, and the traditional way just has not kept up with the times. People are different. Society is different. A greater portion of society wants to open its mind, expand its horizon, and explore other areas, subjects, and ideals that are different, and unique from the norm. I think Indie authors and publishing offers that. We don't follow the traditional path, which seems to be the same old thing over and over. We're not bound by the restraints that traditional publishers seems to put on its authors. We're not controlled or outrageously censored in what we can say or do. Indie writers have what most writers want. Creative freedom!!! Indie writers and publishers take chances. We push the envelop into many different subject matters, areas, and directions that have not yet been explored. Of course, as long as its within reason, and nothing that is too outrageous, or outlandish.
I just think that many Traditional publishers and literary agents are out of touch, and don't know themselves what the public wants. Proof, we've seen authors push their manuscripts for years to many literary agents, publishers, and publishing houses, only to be rejected over and over. Being told that their manuscript isn't what they're looking for, or that it just won't sell. Then that very same author will self-published the book himself or herself, and not only does the public absolutely love it, but it hits the best-sellers lists, and sells thousands of copies of their books.
Even with that famous word today that is called "Trending". While I understand it as it relates to trending on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media... I don't necessary buy into it as it relates to the literary field. I mean, of course a particular genre can become hot at a particular time. But the truth to the matter is that a great author and writer can get the public to read whatever they write, regardless of what the so-called "Trending" is. A great writer doesn't have to follow what the trend is. Sometimes he or she can choose to be different, unique, and follow their own path. A great writer believe in his or her abilities, and what they choose to write, rather than what's so-called "Trending".
Its been 12 years since I started my journey to become a published author. Eleven years and ten months of that time was spent trying to do it the traditional way. I can remember the frustrations and headaches of it like it was yesterday. So often it felt like I was being given the run around. Agents would tell me to change the theme, the subject, the genre, the racial make-up of the characters, the plot, or the ending of my manuscript, only to reject it anyway. Or they would absolutely love the query and partial, but as soon as they got the entire manuscript, and saw what the racial make-up of the characters were... All of a sudden, it wasn't what they were looking for. If they were so intrigued by it in the first place, why should something like the racial make-up matter? If the story is good, its good no matter what the make-up of it is. But the one that got me the most was when I was asked to send in the first 5 to 10 pages of my manuscript. How the hell can anyone truly evaluate a 300 pages manuscript based upon the first 5 to 10 pages? I just got sick and tired of the b.s., and the incredible amount of time that it all consumed. I mean, when I submitted queries or partials, I would be told that they would get back to me in six to eight weeks. And that of course was just to reject me. Then I discovered Indie publishing.
Within two months of joining the ever growing Indie authors/publishing community, I have published two books, which are now on sale at major websites like Barnes & Noble, itunes/apple, and more. And I'm now working on my third. Despite the dislike, and hatred that Traditional publishers, and some Traditional authors seem to have towards Indie authors and publishing... Get over it!!! Indie authors and publishing is not going anywhere. Its a new direction. And judging from how some Traditional writers seem to be converting, and joining the ever growing world of Indie authors and publishing, they themselves realize the future impact that the Indie community will have on the literary world. No... Traditional publishers and authors don't have to like us. But there should be the professionalism of respect shown towards a fellow publisher or writer, regardless of whether he or she is Traditional or Indie.
I read a very interesting article about the rise of the Indie author on the Authors Weekly website if you care to read it yourself. You can find it here:
http://www.authorsweekly.com/blog/Aut...
While I think a little professional competition isn't going to hurt anyone... I'm almost amazed at the dislike, and almost hatred that Traditional publishers, literary agents, and even some writers who choose to follow the traditional path seem to have towards Indie authors, publishers, and publishing. I mean, Traditional publishers, agents, and writers seem to turn their noses up towards Indie writers and publishing. There's just no respect there. But in my opinion, one day, they're going to have no choice but to give Indie authors and publishing its due respect.
Being a Indie author/publisher myself, I have no problem with the Traditional way or path. But its like a dinosaur. The ways, path, and standards that they seem to follow, stand by, and live by is old, stale, and outdated. We live in a ever changing and evolving world, and the traditional way just has not kept up with the times. People are different. Society is different. A greater portion of society wants to open its mind, expand its horizon, and explore other areas, subjects, and ideals that are different, and unique from the norm. I think Indie authors and publishing offers that. We don't follow the traditional path, which seems to be the same old thing over and over. We're not bound by the restraints that traditional publishers seems to put on its authors. We're not controlled or outrageously censored in what we can say or do. Indie writers have what most writers want. Creative freedom!!! Indie writers and publishers take chances. We push the envelop into many different subject matters, areas, and directions that have not yet been explored. Of course, as long as its within reason, and nothing that is too outrageous, or outlandish.
I just think that many Traditional publishers and literary agents are out of touch, and don't know themselves what the public wants. Proof, we've seen authors push their manuscripts for years to many literary agents, publishers, and publishing houses, only to be rejected over and over. Being told that their manuscript isn't what they're looking for, or that it just won't sell. Then that very same author will self-published the book himself or herself, and not only does the public absolutely love it, but it hits the best-sellers lists, and sells thousands of copies of their books.
Even with that famous word today that is called "Trending". While I understand it as it relates to trending on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media... I don't necessary buy into it as it relates to the literary field. I mean, of course a particular genre can become hot at a particular time. But the truth to the matter is that a great author and writer can get the public to read whatever they write, regardless of what the so-called "Trending" is. A great writer doesn't have to follow what the trend is. Sometimes he or she can choose to be different, unique, and follow their own path. A great writer believe in his or her abilities, and what they choose to write, rather than what's so-called "Trending".
Its been 12 years since I started my journey to become a published author. Eleven years and ten months of that time was spent trying to do it the traditional way. I can remember the frustrations and headaches of it like it was yesterday. So often it felt like I was being given the run around. Agents would tell me to change the theme, the subject, the genre, the racial make-up of the characters, the plot, or the ending of my manuscript, only to reject it anyway. Or they would absolutely love the query and partial, but as soon as they got the entire manuscript, and saw what the racial make-up of the characters were... All of a sudden, it wasn't what they were looking for. If they were so intrigued by it in the first place, why should something like the racial make-up matter? If the story is good, its good no matter what the make-up of it is. But the one that got me the most was when I was asked to send in the first 5 to 10 pages of my manuscript. How the hell can anyone truly evaluate a 300 pages manuscript based upon the first 5 to 10 pages? I just got sick and tired of the b.s., and the incredible amount of time that it all consumed. I mean, when I submitted queries or partials, I would be told that they would get back to me in six to eight weeks. And that of course was just to reject me. Then I discovered Indie publishing.
Within two months of joining the ever growing Indie authors/publishing community, I have published two books, which are now on sale at major websites like Barnes & Noble, itunes/apple, and more. And I'm now working on my third. Despite the dislike, and hatred that Traditional publishers, and some Traditional authors seem to have towards Indie authors and publishing... Get over it!!! Indie authors and publishing is not going anywhere. Its a new direction. And judging from how some Traditional writers seem to be converting, and joining the ever growing world of Indie authors and publishing, they themselves realize the future impact that the Indie community will have on the literary world. No... Traditional publishers and authors don't have to like us. But there should be the professionalism of respect shown towards a fellow publisher or writer, regardless of whether he or she is Traditional or Indie.
I read a very interesting article about the rise of the Indie author on the Authors Weekly website if you care to read it yourself. You can find it here:
http://www.authorsweekly.com/blog/Aut...
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