"It is disingenuous to compare all self-published works to the mere two percent of works that manage to get traditionally published."
Great article by Hugh Howey on the state of self-publishing.
To be honest, even having self-published a novel, I had been less than convinced by the self-publishing route. I used to think it was a masquerade of insecurity, like if you ask someone ‘What do you do?’ and they say ‘I’m a model but I’m not stupid, you know’, like whoahhh! You know??
But it is far from an argument dominated by post-agent-rejection angst, the evidence is far too compelling: self-/indie publishing is the way to go!
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Rebecca
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Jul 09, 2014 01:52PM
Coming from an indie sensibility anyway publishing just seems to me to be mirroring what happened in the music industry 30/40 yrs ago. There is more scope to get your work out, no filter, into the world. Scary and exposing, for sure, but what richness and treasures await for those readers willing to take a chance on something, blind. Personally, I find the whole movement toward self-publishing a tremendously positive thing. Just like there is so much more to be had from music where the musicians take control (like my faves - Field Music), so equally this offers a kick up the arse to the publishing game.
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Yeah, I agree! (I've heard of Field Music but not listened to them- I have enjoyed the Scottish group Kid Canaveral who self-published their first album though- it was almost nominated for the Mercury Prize but had no ISBN!)Certainly the barriers for entry into the market have completely fallen down, which has been true for a while but I've seen how people are much more open to self-published material than before, and now so many stories are being told!
I've already met some cool people and had interesting conversations (such as with you!) through self-publishing, social media chatting and so on.
I won't deny a secret desire to explode in fame and money and blah blah (there's a quote I can't find along the lines of "whoever writes the opening paragraph of a book is already accepting a Nobel Prize in their head") but so long as I can remember why I write in general there's fun to be had and I can be happy as a wee clam :D
Hey Leo. Glad you're finding the whole shebang a great experience. Just don't forget Goodreads when you have all you desire! Personally, I couldn't imagine anything worse than being famous: poisoned chalice central (I'd take the money though).Yeah, I think I know Kid Canaveral from 6music; breezy indie pop, right?
The number one reason I had for joining this sight was to get exposure to new authors and their work. So far, it's been great. I love the random nature of it all (and I hate the word 'random'). The reason I hit friend with you was the fact you were a Chris Morris fan, and we've had some cool exchanges. I'm not a social media fiend - at all, so this is counter-intuitive to me. So far, though, it's been interesting.
I'm going to add to my last comment as I think I mangled my point (probably because I'd spent the previous hour or so trying to get my head around holographic universe theory).Any author with something to say(their motivational passion) and with an adequate way of conveying this, may as well put it out there. If their perceptions are trenchant they will have the potential to connect with an audience. If you feel it, you can bet others do. To me, the most enduring authors are those who reflect back to us what we say to ourselves when we are stripped of our masks. In a maelstrom of strenuous endeavour, opportunity, serendipity and unfathomable luck, something might just happen.
