[stylist] Self-publishing

[Julie J.]

I think the advent of ebooks has changed the entire landscape of the 
publishing world.  I don't think I would ever go the route of self 
publishing exclusively print books.  Ebooks are truly changing how we 
read.  I've read so many accounts of self published authors being 
successful with books.  Yes, some of those were the wildly famous, but 
most aren't.  they are average people making a few thousand dollars a 
year through books.  I guess that's what I want.  I don't aspire to be 
the next Steven King or E. L. James.  I'd just like to sell enough books 
to make writing worth the time I've invested.

I think traditional publishing does one thing that self publishing 
doesn't and that is to weed out the crap.  I think though that 
traditional publishers throw out a lot of good stuff with the crap 
because there isn't a big enough market for it.  The cool thing with 
ebooks is that you have a global market and you can cater to the niche 
audience, still making enough to keep going.

Julie


On 12/30/2012 7:38 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:
> 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
>
>
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