The landscape of
self-publishing has changed significantly over the last decade. Once considered
inferior to traditional presses, self-publishing is gaining more attention and
earning credibility as a viable way to access unique, and in some cases
quality, content. What’s more, the increase in self-publishing has garnered a
significant amount of attention from marketing companies looking to capitalize
on this burgeoning industry. Major publishers are even jumping on the bandwagon
as well, offering independent authors a variety of ancillary services to help
market their books. Libraries have begun using self-publishing to reconnect
with communities by offering workshops and resources geared towards independent
authors. It is not uncommon for writers to choose the route of
self-publishing because the traditional publishing route is difficult, if not
impossible, for some writers to enter.
That
statement is true! Many self-published authors hit a brick wall when presenting
their work to the traditional publishers. Most of the time, traditional publishers
don’t look at every manuscript they receive. If their work load is heavy, they
will return the manuscript and thus depressing the author, who then decides to
forget about becoming a serious author.
NOTE:
an author is someone who has published more than one book. It doesn’t matter whether
they are an Indie/self-published authors or not, they are still authors. Indie/Self-publishing
is probably the only opportunity available to the beginners.
What’s
the percentage of certain groups of people
from obtaining authorship through traditional publishing routes?
*The number of books
published by people of color speaks volumes about the barriers that prevent
certain groups from obtaining authorship through
traditional publishing routes. In 2017, out of 3,500 books received by the
center, approximately 3% were written by African American and Latino authors,
7% were written by Asian Pacific American authors, and less than 1% were
written by Native American authors. Therefore, self-publishing is a route that
allows writers to share their stories. It also creates an opportunity to be
recognized as an author.
Here is someone’s
point of view regarding self-publishing.
I Understand that “indie publishing” is all the
rage, but despite royalty rates of 70%, I think self-publishing is a terrible
idea for serious novelists (by which I mean, novelists who take writing
seriously, and love to write). Here’s why.
If you self-publish your book, you are not
going to be writing for a living. You are going to be marketing for a living.
Self-published authors should expect to spend only 10% of their time writing
and 90% of their time marketing. if your passion is creating worlds and
characters, telling great stories, and/or reveling in language, you might want
to aim for traditional publication. I mute authors whose tweet streams are 90%
adverts in the same way I wouldn’t watch the shopping channel. Most indie
authors have tweet streams that are 90% adverts, perhaps a reflection of the
fact that they must spend 90% of their time marketing. It certainly doesn’t
make self-publishing look like the path to El Dorado. Why would I want to join
this gang?
What I think: Well,
he’s right about marketing however, he’s wrong about self-published authors not
taking their writing seriously! All authors take their writing seriously! If they
didn’t, they wouldn’t be irked when someone gives them a not so good review!
There
are people out there that just despise Indie/self-published authors, only for
the fact that the author did what they could only dream of doing and that is publishing
their own book. The self-published author doesn’t just talk about writing a book
and publishing it, they went out and did it! They have courage and hope in a
sea of vexing haters.
Do most self-published
authors consider their writing a career?
The majority do but
some are more realistic in the outcome so most have part-time jobs or even full-time
jobs.
Do I see my writing as
a career or a hobby?
Well, I see it as a
little of both. I do take my writing seriously just like other authors, but I
don’t see it as a career. In fact, even some mainstream authors who have gone the
traditional way and have published their books, do have a part-time job
somewhere. If you did not make a deal with the Devil, like the woman who wrote
Fifty Shades of Grey, then more than likely, your royalties will not be a
steady steam. I have a part-time job, but I continue writing my books, in hopes
that I will get a steady stream one day. All authors feel that way. Just noting.
Overall, self-publishing may be all the rage,
but the writer has a choice. If he/she wants to publish traditionally, then do
so, however, more and more traditional companies are going in the way of self-publishing.
Giving their audience a chance to read a diverse stream of books written by unknown
authors. Some of those books can hide a hidden jewel. Just saying.
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