OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
I have been getting a lot of emails recently about self-publishing, so I just wanted to clear up a few points! I also wanted to smooth relations between traditional publishing and the growing indie author movement. I don’t think these two are mutually exclusive – they are on the same continuum. There is room for all of us. We are all bonded by the love of books and reading. So here is my own perspective.
But the reason I personally chose to self-publish is this.
Once I had finished my first book, “How to enjoy your job”, I started the process of finding a traditional publisher. In Australia, there are very limited options in terms of agents and publishers.
Then I discovered Lulu.com and decided not to wait any longer. I decided to spend my energy on promotion and platform building instead. I hate the negative energy of discouragement. But I love action and learning and experience!
So I went on the offensive. I got national TV coverage, national newspaper coverage and won an award for book marketing. I did a book trailer and wrote stacks of articles. I made a blog for the book. I sold print books through Amazon.com and also got my book for sale in India at Pothi.com. I now give away the ebook for free taking the example of Cory Doctorow. I have a database of people who download my free “Enjoy Your Job” workbook .
Basically, I have been doing everything I talk about on this site. I discovered along the way that I LOVE the promotion and the marketing that goes along with the writing, and the adventures that I can have in publishing. I love the people I am meeting. I love the authors who are out there self-publishing and making it happen, who are not being depressed by rejection. I started this blog because of the amazing and exciting things I am learning myself. I am not an expert. I am experimenting as well. It’s a brilliant time to be an author. I truly believe that.
But I also LOVE print books, and still dream of the 10 book deal with a big publisher (like Gary Vaynerchuk) I want to be Jack Canfield, a mega successful self-help, non-fiction author. I want to be Paulo Coelho, prolific spiritual author with a huge following. I want to be J.C. Hutchins, on the edge of the cool gaming, cross-media world. I will be Joanna Penn, self help author extraordinaire!
But I am still learning my craft and honing my own message. So I continue to self-publish (my next 2 books are on the way to Amazon right now) because I still prefer to spend my time writing and promoting (and blogging and interviewing!) rather than chasing traditional publishers.
This is a personal post about my own journey. So why do you self-publish? (or continue to chase publication?)
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1 2 Next »I've just finished a fiction novel - and not getting any response from publishers, would u recommend self-publishing for that?
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Hi Sean, I think self-pub can be great for fiction too. Christopher Paolini self-published Eragon before attracting a publisher. Matthew Reilly also did this - so it can be a stepping stone to publication. You can also try posting it at http://www.authonomy.com if you are willing to review other peoples manuscripts.
Good luck with the writing! Thanks, Joanna
Hi Joanna,
I have been getting your ezine for a while. I am self publishing a few books in the area that lights my fire - feng shui and the whole energy realm. I am impressed with the look of your stuff and wonder a) what software you use to write b) what software are you using to enable people to download your books?
cheers
vicki
For me it's very much about that positive energy. I don't think I've had anyone bring that part to my attention before, but you're right, the trad publishing track for me was just kind of depressing and based on "luck." I wanted to do something pro-active. And I wanted to see what I could build by myself.
Thanks Zoe - I am with you there! Indie authors are proactive, positive and getting out there!
Self-publishing is a great option. And more and more people are doing it. It has it pros and cons like any aspect of the industry. Think about your long term goals, what you want and how the perception of others really does matter (sometimes). Chris Brogan didn't self publish but went with Wiley. He had his reasons for this. Discover your and you'll be miles ahead of the pack.
Just as a comment regarding ebooks and physical books: I love to be able to search a PDF of a book that I have so I can find that one piece of information that I just can't remember what page it's one. Conversely, I love to make notes in my books of what I'm reading, different colored ink for different times that I read the book. I like and get both.
Also, independent authors don't have to "bypass" traditional publishing, but it does give publishers a chance to see who is up and coming. A win/win for both sides.
I've wrote some books, plays and have so many different genres I'd love to write about I've even got an idea for a new Star Trek film and series, I started writing the series or pilot 23 years ago, and incredibly allot of the ideas coming out of Star Trek now or have been I originally had it in my pilot. I'm playing around with the re re re vamped version, due to the last film, I didn't believe enough in my self when I was younger and because I couldn't describe properly what my characters and storyline was like running through my head due to poor education I decided to better myself and work to get to University, now I've been to two Universities and have qualifications behind me, plus if have countless drawings and an ever expanding storyline on Star Trek I want to ask or even plead for help, but first I want to get a play out there first, see how well that gets received and hopefully get that into a sitcom then film. I've acted on TV I also got a diploma in TV degree in broadcastmedia and popular culture and my first diploma nursing, I've acted on stage and been a Samaritan and Radio presenter, but I've been I'll for two years and writing is all I can do for now, could you contact me whenever you got time, I realise your busy so I'm not pushing you, however if in the future you do want to even co write something I am a willing to travel, I'm not a crazy nutter I promise so I don't mind if that does come to mind since a perfect stranger has just offered you a partnership, nevertheless I just need someone I can at least value an opinion and knowledge on a subject I know nothing about. You seem to be more educated than me on promotions and self publications, I have got a London/New York publishers attention on my life story, as I've had a bit of a tragic life and against all odds kind of came out the other side but I'm still finding day to day life hard to live with, I've not recovered from some things I've witnessed, seen or been through, that's why I think writing is more important to me than any of the other things I've mentioned. Thank you for your kind attention all the best for the future if I never hear from you Lee Gwyn Lewis South Wales UK.