Poll

I wrote a recent blog post on just this subject - I think nowadays it is more beneficial to self-publish first.

See my blog at Forget the Query Go Round if you want to be traditionally published start by self-publishing.

Joy, I actually googled "non fiction" publishers and that is how I found my publisher. I love people's reactions when I tell them that... I was green, green, green. Wrote a query letter, waited, waited and waited, received one rejection letter and then, "Bingo" a contract.

I hear that it is very hard to find a literary agent/publisher these days. That publishing companies often won't even look at the manuscript unless you have an agent, which is a little dejecting. I've been writing a few novels, but I don't know which path I want to take when I am finished...

I've been leaning towards self publishing through Kindle or PubIt, but I can't find anyone who has already done this to ask them how everything went for them. :( I know Amanda Hocking self published, and she's a millionaire now, which is encouraging. I just have so many questions about it. lol

I've used a combination of the above techniques. I've published it on Amazon for Kindle, on Pub-It for Barnes & Noble Nook and I've published it on Smashwords. I've also uploaded it to Createspace so that it will be available as a paperback. On my website, I provide links to all the places where you can buy it and I provide updates regarding the second book in the series and also share reviews of the current book.

S.j. wrote: "I've used a combination of the above techniques. I've published it on Amazon for Kindle, on Pub-It for Barnes & Noble Nook and I've published it on Smashwords. I've also uploaded it to Createspac..."

If you upload the book onto Kindle, are you able to upload the same book onto B&N? Do they allow you to put it on multiple sites?
Which site worked the best for you? Did you sell a decent amount of copies?

Yes, you can do both. As of today, I've sold 220 copies on Amazon since the beginning of this month. On B&N, I've sold 33 copies. Lately, the amount sold through B&N is really starting to pick up. I think it's partly due to the way that B&N has been pushing the Nook.

S.j. wrote: "Yes, you can do both. As of today, I've sold 220 copies on Amazon since the beginning of this month. On B&N, I've sold 33 copies. Lately, the amount sold through B&N is really starting to pick u..."

Was it difficult to load it onto Amazon? Would you recommend it?

I definitely recommend it. It does take some time, but it's a pretty simple process. Just make sure you read all the documentation they give you about formatting. Getting the format right is the hardest part.

S.j. wrote: "I definitely recommend it. It does take some time, but it's a pretty simple process. Just make sure you read all the documentation they give you about formatting. Getting the format right is the..."

I might do that then. Thanks for the advice. I REALLY appreciate it. I kept putting off finishing my books, cause I didn't like the idea of looking for an agent and publisher. I don't do well with rejection, and I am extremely shy about my writing. However, I had a recent boost to my confidence. I had to write a personal narrative for my seminar, and my professor told me it was one of the best essays she has ever read. She asked me to submit it to this creative writing contest that my university does every year. I'm going to submit it within a week. It's especially cool, because she has been the head of the committee for the past five years!

I would like to learn more about self publishing. I have a book written but have no idea where to go from here - I actually finished it today. Considered the ebook route (I have a nook), but I really want it in print. And I am not very good with technology.

Rebecca wrote: "I would like to learn more about self publishing. I have a book written but have no idea where to go from here - I actually finished it today. Considered the ebook route (I have a nook), but I re..."

Most publishing companies won't look at your manuscript unless you have a literary agent. So, if you don't want to self publish, you should go that route. Maybe have some people you trust review your work, and edit it. Then look up literary agents who deal with your genre. I know that there is some book about how to get a literary agent, and it lists the agent, where they are located, the genre's they deal with, and what they need you to send them. Do not go with any agent that asks you for money! Those are scams. A real agent makes their money by selling your book. The agent gets a % of whatever you get. Usually it's 10-15% of what you make.

You really should add Smashwords to the list...

I've self-published through all the formats, Smashwords, Kindle, Nook, for the romances All Romance eBooks.

And e-books is definitely the way to go.

I think there should be an additional option in the above list, i.e., try to find a publisher who accepts direct submissions, check them out carefully to be sure that they do, in fact, support the author and do not charge fees, etc.

With the ebook revolution, I think literary agents may be a dying breed; hence, many of them are getting into publishing their backlists, etc.