Timeing is Everything
For self-publishing the time is 2009
by LinDee Rochelle
I once held an essay competition with a required theme: New Beginnings. I’ve heard that term bantered about for 2009 more than any other recent year. It’s no wonder. We’re all fed up with 2008’s somber cynicism and ready for a fresh start. Aren’t we?
Not if you listen to the news. Our doom-n-gloom media won’t let us look forward with hope. No, they paint a bleak picture of the coming year with headlines that scream failing economy and consumer depression extending indefinitely. I’m sorry— along with a few desired Christmas gifts, I’m not buying that either.
I’ve been accused of being a glass half-full person, which some say is an inefficient use of a glass. However, I see it is an opportunity to fill the rest with New Beginnings; and even on the darkest day, with a shot of Hope. Not an easy task for a writer these days is it?
I have read three articles in the past 48 hours that really have my red hair standing on end. Each word was another punishing blow to the future of books. To borrow a phrase from the Reba TV show, “Wait just a minute there, you mor-rons!”
According to some self-proclaimed wizards of publishing, the industry is doomed, printed books will be banned from life, and once again, they’ve described self-published authors as a molecule above—or was that below?—pond-scum water.
It looks like I have to explain that if the glass in front of you is half empty—listen carefully now—you need to pick it up, pull your arm slowly behind your head, aim carefully, and throw it with deadly aim at the mor-rons who keep telling you there is no future in publishing!!!
Books are not going to disappear any time soon. And if you’re a smart author, rather than crying about the economy’s problems, you’ll find creative ways to be part of the solution. Be innovative, look for unique and unorthodox sales methods, but don’t stop writing!
So, what of the future of publishing? Traditional publishing’s brass ring is tarnished. Their once coveted advantages simply don’t exist any longer. Gone are the large advances, which are a direct result of little-to-no marketing and promotion; for new authors, especially. Half the reason for signing your rights away to a Big Daddy publisher was so you’d “see your name in lights” (figuratively). That doesn’t happen without hype—there is no hype for new authors. Oh, and you’ve lost the rights to that book for at least a certain period of time, if not for infinity. Nice, vicious circle they’ve created.
And have you noticed that it is only the authors and publishers of the major publishing houses—and the media / “publishing experts” in bed with them—who are trashing independent authors and their author-originated publishing companies? Contrary to their whining, a little “vanity” never hurts anyone—especially the author seeking publishing alternatives.
The short-sighted tend to trash an independently produced book of questionable quality, so they can easily point to it as a poster child for poor vanity press, rather than report on some of the truly wonderful author-originated books that rank in quality and storytelling, right up there with a Simon & Schuster book. Oh, in fact, wasn’t that author one of theirs last year???
Tell me, what do people do when they’re backed up against a wall? They lash out at whatever’s in front of them. See the similarity? Traditional publishers and their authors are scared. Of course they’re saying the publishing world is coming to an end. Theirs just might be. Cutbacks and downsizing plague the big houses because they’re big business; but that won’t stop an author from finding a suitable substitute—which is what many of us have been doing for years. If one method doesn’t work, you find another method. DIY is simple, alternative logic.
Let’s face it, competition is stiff no matter how you publish—store shelves only hold so much, and exactly how big will Amazon get? The pressure is palpable to make significant sales instantly and sell consistently. Creative and online marketing will drive the “new publishing platform,” but I won’t lie to you … only the most tenacious and—best writers—will profit.
Author-originated publishing has an opportunity in the coming New Year
to make significant strides and rise to its full potential to establish
itself as the “new publishing platform” of the era. But three
key elements must come together to make it happen.
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Right up front, aspiring authors MUST consider professional editing as mandatory to publishing their book for market. If it’s going to be a family history only, then by all means, write with reckless abandon and cracked grammar (not grandma). But if you truly feel your story has merit—prove it. If you don’t have enough dollars in the cookie jar for editing, you’re not ready to publish and sell your manuscript.
Coming in second, author-originated publishers need to recognize their true potential, shun their low self esteem, and most importantly, produce quality books. Strategies that will take advantage of the Big Houses’ vulnerabilities should include a way to recognize and reward their best, talented authors. And—dump the “take the money and run” attitude. To win this game, they’ll have to play nice.
As the author-originated publishing industry grows, those even thinking about publishing independently are becoming more savvy and sophisticated in discerning where and how to spend their money. To win this game, the publishers also have to play smart.
In marketing we’re told to find a need and fill it—as an author advocate I hear every day from newbie writers, “I wish I knew if my book is really good enough” (for retail selling). Why not establish a free or very low cost program for manuscript evaluations? It’s true—we want to know; and yes, there’s a strong possibility that if told the truth, we may not spend the money to publish at all. But a passionate author just might spend the money to “fix it.” And by telling the truth, the self-publishing company instantly raises its author standards, to recognize those who offer true revenue potential.
And third, though no less important—to the media and the rest of the world I say, ‘WAKE UP!!” Author-originated publishing is here to stay—and it’s going to grow, even as the economy sinks lower. Have you not figured it out? Authors will find the money to publish if it’s an important goal; and you can call it vanity press, POD, self-publishing, or author-originated—they don’t care.
Author-originated publishing has suffered long enough as the industry’s redheaded stepchild! It was shunned in its infancy, kicked around in its adolescence, and is finally ready—with the help of the economic crisis—to experience its final growth into adulthood and stand proud as publishing hope for authors who have real talent.
Industry “pros” may try to write me off as pond-scum amoeba, but I see self-publishing’s advantages beginning to outweigh its disadvantages. I realize there is much more to it than outlined here, and many more obstacles to overcome. That’s life. Don’t whine about it … do something. Fill your glass with New Beginnings.
New Year Prediction: I firmly believe that the author-originated publishers who offer warehousing, royalties, and retail book returns, are going to lead the independent publishing revolution. Oh, you didn’t know we were in a revolution? Honey, we’re smack dab in the middle of the recycled “three Rs”: Recession produces Revolution (Restructuring, if you’re not the warring type), which surrenders to Regeneration. And this time there’s a fourth “R”—may the Redheaded stepchild win!
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Website: www.PenchantForPenning.com
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Thanks for the article LinDee... J. Wolf
