I attended an intensive novel writing workshop last year and finished the first book in my dystopian fantasy series. I submitted queries to several agents – like a lot – and a few publishers. But so far no one is interested, which is weird because dystopian fantasy is super hot right now. The thing is, very few publishers will even consider unsolicited manuscripts, or even queries anymore. So anyway, with the whole ebooks rage, lots of writers are going that route and self-publishing. What advice can you give me? Should I self publish?
Funny you should ask! Natalie Collins, my editor and publisher at Sisterhood Publications, recently wrote a blog post that answers your question much better than I could.
Words of Advice for Self-Publishing Writers …
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Frances Brown
January 20, 2012
There’s so much controversy going on about self-publishing, and this article definitely addresses all the reasons that people should NOT self-publish. There are too many poorly written books out there now that have been published via traditional routes – why would we want to add to the world’s slush pile?
In the maze of the pub world, though, I’m beginning to think that many editors and publishers won’t even consider a new author (unless it’s a celebrity or a politician) who’s written a book unless the author themselves have believed in their work enough to self-publish their first one. I’m hearing from “them” that big names like Stephen King and JK Rowling all had self-published works before they hit the “big one.” There’s a blurb on the current PW about a self-pubbed YA author who is now getting deluged by offers from publishers and agents – even though she sent out dozens of queries without a single hit.
As writers, is this our future? Are we going to have to prove to the world that we have what it takes by taking that self-pub plunge before any agent or publisher is going to notice us? Or does it, as this article and my MFA colleague pointed out, just demean the quality of our work?
I would love to hear how other writers feel on this subject. gem.writer@yahoo.com or find me on Facebook, Frances Brown.
Peggy Tibbetts
January 20, 2012
Thank you Frances.
What you describe is already happening. I’m not sure that’s such a bad thing. I believe it’s better for the marketplace — the readers — to decide what they like to read instead of editors and publishers deciding for them.
I know from my own experience self publishing “Rumors of War”, I learned a lot about book production, the publishing industry, and most of all the bookselling business. Just because I didn’t hit it big doesn’t mean it wasn’t a valuable experience. It was, in fact, the best thing I ever did. I gained confidence, an audience, my own column at Writing World.com which led to the job of managing editor for five years, and many more contacts and more opportunities for my subsequent works.
Having said that I do agree with Natalie’s advice. Self-publishing is not for everyone and writers should do their research before jumping in with both feet. My agent in 1997 advised me to self publish my work. I began my research. I didn’t self publish until the end of 1999.
I don’t think self publishing demeans the quality of our work.I think self publishing and independent publishing level the playing field for writers and create more avenues for exposure of their work — an opportunity to find an audience.