[stylist] Self-publishing

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

I've been interested in self-publishing for years, but I go back and
forth on it. My professors at university were not fans of self
publishing, and they all, both in the English and fine arts department,
strongly discouraged it. But I have heard so much about it and know many
people who have done it, so I wonder what the draw is other than you can
publish a book whenever you feel like it without going through other
people. I currently have little time to write because of my new baby,
but I want to investigate all options available. It's interesting to
hear these perspectives.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter, editor, Slate & Style
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can
satisfy, we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for
another world."
C. S. Lewis

Message: 9
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:38:38 -0600
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: Writer's Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] BookShare and libraries
Message-ID: <50DF54CE.9070208 at neb.rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Donna,

I appreciate your thoughts.  I understand wanting to get your book out 
to as many people as possible and being comfortable with sacrificing 
payment in order to do that.

I guess I'm not quite in that same place.  Yes, I'd like people to read 
my book, that's a huge reason I wrote it.  I'm not willing to sacrifice 
the potential to earn something from the sale of the book though.

I'm supportive of programs like libraries and BookShare.  I use both NLS

and my local library, although I have not used BookShare.  I think they 
are an important resource to all people.  However I do also purchase 
books.  I have purchased many ebooks, many more audio books and when I 
can't find a book in any other format I will purchase the print and scan

it.  I think the main factor for me is whether or not I am willing to 
wait for the library to get the book I want.  For example the final 
Wheel of Time volume is coming out on the 8th.  I expect the library 
will make it available, they have all the other books in the series.  
However I want to read it along with the other fans when it is first 
released.  I intend to purchase the Audible book.  I see it as a way to 
support my favorite authors and to get the books I want when they are 
released.

I am aware of the issues with the Kindle hand held book reader.  However

it is possible to read Kindle books on a nonKindle device.  There is a 
free ap for the Apple i devices which allows a person to play Kindle 
books on an iPad, iPhone or other similar device.  I don't think that 
I'm excluding blind people from reading by making my book available 
through Kindle, especially since it will also be available in other
formats.

You are correct that most self published authors make nothing from their

books.  I don't see that as a reason to give up before I've even tried 
though.  I'd also venture a guess that most authors that go the 
traditional publisher route also fail.  Most people who submit 
manuscripts for publication will get nowhere.  That doesn't stop them 
from continueing to try.  I think self publishing is the same way.  You 
have to keep trying and trying and trying until it works.  I think many 
writers fail to make money from their books because they give up too
soon.

And I have to say thank you again.  Your comments helped me more than I 
realized to clarify my own thoughts on this topic.  I thought I was a 
lot more undecided, but reading back through what I wrote, I think I've 
sorted out where I'm at with this issue and how I want to proceed.

Julie