Self Publishing--Thoughts?

[Amy]

Anyone who uses blanket statements without seeming to know much about their topic or hasn't done any research at all is deluded.

[Grace]

The chances that you will get published by a "traditional" publisher are very slim. The chances that you will self publish and then make it big and get enough money to sustain yourself in anyway, or any notoriety for your books are even more slim.

[Amy]

No shit, Sherlock. I don't think anyone on here is deluded as to how low the chances are of making a living writing. The same goes even IF you're "traditionally" published- I mean, how many books in Barnes and Noble have you heard of, much less read?

But there are some things for which self-publishing works quite well. But then again, that's all been discussed on this topic, so I think everyone has kind of made their arguments. Which you can read at your leisure, so that you can make your point without just repeating other peoples'.

[Grace]

Amy wrote: "No shit, Sherlock. I don't think anyone on here is deluded as to how low the chances are of making a living writing. The same goes even IF you're "traditionally" published- I mean, how many books i..."

So, I'm not allowed to share my opinions? wow. Okay.

Also, don't SWEAR at me, please. There really is no need. I'm just saying what /i/ think about self-publishing and that's IT.

Please stop attacking me.

[Amy]

Sorry. I'm not trying to attack you. It's just that you don't seem to be backing up your opinions with anything other than generalizations, and that's pretty frustrating, and I'm also being nasty to everyone today because I feel like someone has taken a hammer to my teeth, and all you seem to be doing is saying that self publishing doesn't work, and I'm not a huge fan of it for me but that doesn't mean it "doesn't work" because I don't think there'd be an entire business around something that never works and okay I'm going to go take that nap now.

[Grace]

Amy wrote: "Sorry. I'm not trying to attack you. It's just that you don't seem to be backing up your opinions with anything other than generalizations, and that's pretty frustrating, and I'm also being nasty t..."

I think it may work for the businesses. But, for the person who's book it it is, it's kind of hopeless.

I don't really care how "bad of a mood you're in" you have no right to get so defensive and swear at people.

[Amy]

Well, the same goes for any form of art. It's really really really really hard. But some people make it through self publishing. And some people make it through traditional publishing. And a lot of people publish through a publishing house and get maybe a couple thousand bucks and a print run of a couple thousand copies and nobody has ever heard of them. You have to do a lot of the same promotional stuff for either.

I don't have a right to be defensive over something? That's a new one. I mean, I'm not going to deny that it was rude, but we both live in America, where rudeness is not only a right when debating but practically a requirement.

Kidding.

Also I don't believe I swore at you.

[Grace]

"No shit, Sherlock."
You are LITERALLY swearing at me.

I think people think that if they self publish their book it will all work out and they will be the "different" book. But, it doesn't work. Then they lose the rights to their book and it's just awful.

[Amy]

As opposed to figuratively swearing? I wasn't swearing at YOU, I was just... it's a phrase?

Also, I think you lose the rights when you publish traditionally. One thing that self-pub supporters say is that they're the ones to keep their rights.

And I don't think that people think they'll be the "different" one. I think that people will self publish in the hopes that a few people will read their book and like it, and they can send copies to their family members. I don't think that doomsday scenarios are so common.

[Annemarie, hi]

Yeah, I agree with Grace.

[Amy]

That's okay, I know where you sleep.

[Nepeta]

Wow, Amy, and I thought we were all supposed to get along here!

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Grace wrote: ""No shit, Sherlock."
You are LITERALLY swearing at me.

I think people think that if they self publish their book it will all work out and they will be the "different" book. But, it doesn't work. T..."

What do you mean that self-publishers "lose the rights" to their books? As far as I'm aware, a self-publisher still keeps all the rights to his/her own work. Maybe you're getting self-publishing confused with vanity-publishing? Because that's a bit different ...

I mean, if a self-publisher decides they want to try to traditionally-publish a book they've already self-published, then some agents/publishers might be reluctant. But the author doesn't lose the rights to his/her work.

[Grace]

I guess I'm thinking of traditional publishers not wanting to publish self published books

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Ah, okay. Well, it's true that they can be picky about it, but it's not impossible. For example, the self-published books of authors like Christopher Paolini and Amanda Hocking have been picked up by major publishers ... although such cases are really rare.

But regardless, that's not the same as "giving up the rights" to your book. If you're self-published, you still retain all your rights to the book. That is, you can still try to sell it to publishers, and it's still yours to distribute.

[Nepeta]

Wait, Grace, did you just say self published authors lose all rights to their book?

0_0

I think that's traditional publishing.

[[deleted user]]

Yeah...I hope it was a typo...'cause you're wrong, Grace....

[Annemarie, hi]

If you read the conversation, you'll see that she pretty much took back what she said.

"I guess I'm thinking of traditional publishers not wanting to publish self published books"

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

I think she just meant that if you self-publish, traditional publishers might be more reluctant to pick up your work.

[Annemarie, hi]

Which I agree with but she could have researched her statement/been more clear. Whatever

[S.K.]

I think it might be better to publish traditionally if you don't want to worry about the stuff that comes afterward (doing events, publicizing the book, etc). I published with an indie book publisher, and I think its more work than traditional publishers, as you're more responsible for getting the word out. However, its a much faster process and if you want greater control of your work its definitely better to publish with a smaller publisher, or self-publish.

[Morgen]

I have wrote like 5 books, but don't know what to do with them. Who can I go to so they can be published?

[Taylor]

"I have wrote..."

Hopefully not with that sort of grammar. ;)

Um...it depends.

You can self-publish in print, which would require a ton of marketing and paying for ads and printing.

You can self-publish on e-book, which would only require advertising cost.

You can go to a "vanity" print publisher, which pretty much works like self-publishing...there's little to no selection process. If you give them your MS and a bunch of money, they'll print it and market it (minimally) for you.

You can go to an e-publisher. This will be a bigger industry in years to come, but won't overtake traditional. Think Amazon and their Kindle...Amazon does whatever marketing you give them.

Or you could just go the traditional route. High-risk, high-return.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

I'd recommend staying away from vanity publishers, though. They tend to be total scams.

[Taylor]

I agree, though I was trying to be unbiased in my post.

IMHO, vanity publishers suck.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Yup, they are ... not good. If you're not going to traditionally publish, self-publishing is a better way to go. Vanity publishers tend to steal your rights and your money and basically just screw you over.

[Taylor]

Brigid is a smart cookie.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Yup, that's me.

[Taylor]

Chocolate chip?

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

ALL THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS.

[Taylor]

I LOFF CHOKOLUTT!!!

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

[Elliott]

I remember when they first invented chocolate. Sweet, sweet chocolate. I ALWAYS HATED IT.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Lav [I am glad to the brink of fear] wrote: "

I remember when they first invented chocolate. Sweet, sweet chocolate. I ALWAYS HATED IT."

[Elliott]

I think this is my favorite Spongebob episode.

[Taylor]

European dark chocolate is the way to go. Less wax, less sugar. More chokolutt. Yum.

[[deleted user]]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: ""

I don't even have a suitable reply for this fantastic .gif.

[Mandy]

Timothy wrote: "European dark chocolate is the way to go. Less wax, less sugar. More chokolutt. Yum."

This all the way. I have refined chocolate tastes. xD Except I really do like milk chocolate too. With caramel. Mmhm mmhm.

[Taylor]

Milk chocolate can be very yummy. When it's not American. Too much wax.

[Elliott]

My NaNo's protagonist is a chocolate snob. :D Because I had some Godiva chocolate a couple of weeks ago and if I had the money, I would definitely be a chocolate snob.

[Mandy]

Timothy wrote: "Milk chocolate can be very yummy. When it's not American. Too much wax."

HERSHEY CHOCOLATE IS DISGUSTING. Maaan, don't even get me started. Many of their products isn't even considered actual chocolate by the FDA anymore because they've altered their recipe to contain too much oil. Now they have subtle labels like "chocolatey flavored," or "with chocolate," or "milk chocolatey." IT MAKES ME SICK.

[Taylor]

I like your protagonist. Lots.

Can I read your NaNoNovel when you're done?

[Taylor]

MANDAY YOU UNDERTSTAND MAY!!!!

[Mandy]

Lav [I am glad to the brink of fear] wrote: "My NaNo's protagonist is a chocolate snob. :D Because I had some Godiva chocolate a couple of weeks ago and if I had the money, I would definitely be a chocolate snob."

I am a chocolate snob...it's bad. xD

[Mandy]

Timothy wrote: "MANDAY YOU UNDERTSTAND MAY!!!!"

YEAH BRO.



Sorry, I'm having way to much fun talking in gifs.

[Taylor]

WE SHUDD BEE FRANS.

[Elliott]

Timothy wrote: "I like your protagonist. Lots.

Can I read your NaNoNovel when you're done?"

If it's not completely awful I'll be posting it on GR after I edit it. But most of the time I refuse to let anyone read my NaNo novels because I am rather ashamed of the quality of my writing during NaNoWriMo. xD But thanks.

[Mandy]

[Mandy]

Lav [I am glad to the brink of fear] wrote: "Timothy wrote: "I like your protagonist. Lots.

Can I read your NaNoNovel when you're done?"

If it's not completely awful I'll be posting it on GR after I edit it. But most of the time I refuse t..."

I get to read it. Right?

[image error]

[Elliott]

Mandy wrote: "Lav [I am glad to the brink of fear] wrote: "Timothy wrote: "I like your protagonist. Lots.

Can I read your NaNoNovel when you're done?"

If it's not completely awful I'll be posting it on GR af..."

If it's not completely awful I'll be posting it on GR after I edit it. But most of the time I refuse to let anyone read my NaNo novels because I am rather ashamed of the quality of my writing during NaNoWriMo.