Horror Aficionados discussion
This topic is about
A.K. Kuykendall
Author/Publisher/Etc. Promotion
>
YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING, RIGHT?
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
A.K.
(new)
Dec 28, 2014 12:08PM
Don’t seek to limit yourselves by believing the traditional publishing industry is a bridge only a select few are privy to cross. With persistence, a true belief in the power of your words, a broad knowledge of the industry itself, a bit of innovative strategy, and a hell of a lot of luck; you’ll eventually see that silver lining by which to exploit in order to get your ass on and to the other side of that bridge - http://backporchwriter.com/final-thou...
reply
|
flag
Adrian wrote: "Shouldn't this be titled "You are not bad enough for traditional publishing?"I see your point and empathize with your angst. As a traditionally published writer, I do have mixed feelings about self publishing. I think it's a wonderful thing that anyone can now publish their own books. But I've seen so many problems we lovers of the written word are having.
For many the cost is high however they expect that it will all be paid back after they get it out to the public. But that is the second problem. Once published they don't know what to do to get it out where it will make them money. The thing they need to realize is that when you publish your own book, YOU are the publisher. And you need to do what all traditional publishers do; that is if you know what to do, which is NEVER the case. Some really excellent book printers do give self publishers quite a bit of help, but it doesn't compare to what a traditional publisher does for it's authors.
Are you one of those writers whose work is exceptional? You very well may be. Should a traditional publisher take your work? It probably should. But if you have or plan to self publish then find the best rated book printer who will give you some extras to help with getting your book out there. And then make a marketing plan and do everything possible to promote your book.
WHAT INSPIRES ME - http://thekuykendallpost.blogspot.com...
>Don’t seek to limit yourselves by believing the traditional publishing industry is a bridge only a select few are privy to cross.Honestly, I've been in the business for 20 years and never met anyone who feels that way who wasn't just a confused beginner. Anyone who's been around the block knows that publishers publish what they think will sell. That's their job, and if they don't do it well, they go out of business.
And the same thing applies to writers. Want your writing to sell? Write something people want to read. Then get it in front of readers. I've always seen publishers as my partners in that job, not some barrier i have to hurdle.
William wrote: ">Don’t seek to limit yourselves by believing the traditional publishing industry is a bridge only a select few are privy to cross.Honestly, I've been in the business for 20 years and never met an..."
I see your point, William! Look, the plethora of self publishing mills out there would hope that we simply give up. Tire of the endless rejections in order for these vultures to benefit from our dismay.
The stigma of it all is still a sticky one. I've been writing since I was ten years of age under countless nom de plume's that are very much alive to this very day and, like that of Stephen King at an early stage in his life, I fished many of the short stories I weaved to traditional publishers -- royalty paying anthologies with much success. All to prove to myself and others that not only did I find my work worthy, but so did others with a traditional perspective. Worthy enough to invest in the publication of such material.
It is both with the short stories and the novels I've written that my advice comes into play. Believe it or not, but I've written thirteen novels/concepts in my life; eleven of which, during my time in college I reluctantly sold the copyright too because I was essentially broke as hell. They were sold to many 'big' names in the publishing industry today of which I can't divulge any details due to the stipulations of the agreements signed, but I can tell you that these stories have grossed millions in print and motion picture.
My advice comes from a simple fact that our stories in the hands of one with established clout will both excel and sell beyond anything you yourself could ever hope to achieve. That is just reality as it is not what you know, it's who you know. As a raw, nameless storyteller making my way through college with a major in pre-medical studies with a minor in Psychology, it was (looking back on it now) the only way I could have earned on my stories.
Anyway... the problem with most enterprises that will help you self publish is that they don't really care about the product. Though they would argue vehemently that they are not; in fact, any company that takes your money for anything in book form other than printing is a vanity press, in my opinion. There's nothing wrong with that as long as you realize that is what you are getting into. Many of them charge thousands of pounds/dollars. They would publish the alphabet on two hundred pages for you if you paid them.
For me, I believe that self publishing means what it says. You do all the work including formatting, publicity etc and you publish , probably on Createspace and Kindle as they don't charge you a fee. They then do POD which again costs you nothing.
Libraries and chain bookstores are out of reach for the POD authors. If the self published author orders a couple of thousand books to be printed by a reputable printing firm he/she is likely to get stuck with a lot of remainders. And there is no guarantee that they will buy the books in the first place.
So, if you want your books in the mainstream I'm afraid you are stuck with the traditional publishers who have the clout to get you there.
A STRATEGY IS WHAT YOU NEED - http://www.thewriterofbooks.com/home/...
Please note that HA in no way endorses any products or programs posted in this group. As long as they are posted in the appropriate fora, every member has a right to post.
Mod
Kasia wrote: "Not sure how this fits in an "Authors" thread, more like self promo..."Self promo, Kasia? I'm a writer... a storyteller who after years of hard work and dedication in the craft can now call myself an author. And given what I had to endure in my journey, which is no different than what many writer's are going through at present; I only seek to give back in some way. Encouraging posts for struggling writers through the medium of social media is my way of motivating a wary bunch of talented wordsmiths into staying the course. Self promo, Kasia? Hardly, ma'am!
AN UNLIKELY JOURNEY (FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY) - http://thekuykendallpost.blogspot.com...
Kasia wrote: "Not sure how this fits in an "Authors" thread, more like self promo..."I will discuss it with the other mods, Kasia.
I sort of thought the same but decided to allow this post to remain, with the caveat that HA in no way endorses anything by allowing the post to remain.
Mod
Self promo is fine just in the appropriate place.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Mod
I sort of thought the same but decided to allow this post to remain, with the caveat that HA in no way endorse..."
Always vigilant :)
I miss you :) sorry I've been a workaholic, uff.
Kasia wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Kasia wrote: "Not sure how this fits in an "Authors" thread, more like self promo..."I sort of thought the same but decided to allow this post to remain, with the caveat that HA ..."
I've missed you too, my friend! I've been thinking often of your new situation at work. I hope it's been okay for you.
Mod
Self promo, Kasia? I'm a writer... a storyteller who after years of hard work and dedication in the craft can ..."
Self promotion.
And I'm moving it to where it belongs.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Mod
I like playing Whack-A-Mole.
I use a sledgehammer. ;)
Wow, that gives me a headache. Back to my book!
LOL. Gave me a headache too, Valancourt :) Thanks, Jon!
Mod
I like playing Whack-A-Mole.
I use a sledgehammer. ;)"
Pls excuse occasional Grizzly mode :P just me.
Mod
I like playing Whack-A-Mole.
I use a sledgehammer. ;)"
Pls excuse occasional Grizzly mode :P just me."
No worries.
I'm always in Drax the Destroyer mode. ;)
Valancourt Books wrote: "Wow, that gives me a headache. Back to my book!"*chuckle* That was loud, wasn't it?
