This, exactly

I’m tempted to just leave it at that, and send you to the brilliant Joe Konrath’s blunt post on the subject in question.

However, just in case, you don’t click through to the Newbie’s Guide to Publishing, I’m going to repeat this important message from there:

DON’T PAY ANYONE TO PUBLISH YOU.

Up until now I’ve been telling people this, but in a polite way. In a diplomatic way. In a “please make sure you know what you’re getting into before doing anything” way.

But I realize that people who don’t obsessively read publishing blogs like I do, and who haven’t actually self published, like I have, don’t necessarily get my subtleties. They nod, and say “OK, I’ll make sure I know what I’m getting into.” But they don’t.

I’m really not doing them any favours by being gentle in my message. So, no more. From now on it’s:

DON’T PAY ANYONE TO PUBLISH YOU.

If you want to discuss this further, or have any questions, feel free to send them my way.

In the meantime JUST DON’T DO IT.