martin Isitt
asked
Phil Tucker:
Hi Phil. I'm trying to get my book published and not sure which route to take (established publisher, self publishing, etc). I was just wondering which way you initially went? And would you do it differently now? BTW, currently reading Dawn of the Void - my first LitRPG book(s). Enjoying it very much.
Phil Tucker
Hey Martin, that's a great if complicated question. I queried back in the day (2009-ish), and got as far as having Neil Gaiman's agent requesting a full manuscript before being turned down. So I started indie publishing, and have never looked back.
I'd do the same today, because the answer as to whether to go indie or trad comes down to how many hats you like to wear, and I like to wear all of them. Indie publishing is akin to being a small business owner. You need to not only write the book, but then hire a copy editor, a cover artist, either learn to do the layout yourself or hire someone to do that, and then figure out marketing, community, and launching. I find that all incredibly fun, and know that nobody in the trad sphere will ever be as motivated as I am to launch books to the best of their ability.
But. If you only want to write the books, then hand them off to someone else because none of that appeals? Then trad is the way to go.
If you have any follow-up questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line at pwtucker@gmail.com. Always happy to help. Cheers, and congrats on writing your novel!
I'd do the same today, because the answer as to whether to go indie or trad comes down to how many hats you like to wear, and I like to wear all of them. Indie publishing is akin to being a small business owner. You need to not only write the book, but then hire a copy editor, a cover artist, either learn to do the layout yourself or hire someone to do that, and then figure out marketing, community, and launching. I find that all incredibly fun, and know that nobody in the trad sphere will ever be as motivated as I am to launch books to the best of their ability.
But. If you only want to write the books, then hand them off to someone else because none of that appeals? Then trad is the way to go.
If you have any follow-up questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line at pwtucker@gmail.com. Always happy to help. Cheers, and congrats on writing your novel!
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more