Comments on: 5 Reasons to Pursue Traditional Publishing

By: Florence23Mccarty

Florence23Mccarty — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:40:38 +0000

I would like to propose not to hold off until you earn enough amount of money to order goods! You can get the mortgage loans or just sba loan and feel yourself comfortable

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By: J.J.

J.J. — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:01:26 +0000

I’m tired of submitting to agents!
None of them want my work. It seems they want formula. Whenever I go to Amazon and check out some writer’s work that an agent claims to “love”, it’s some new formalic trash! I don’t buy it. For years my work has been rejected, yEARS! On top of that, racism sits on the board of traditional publishing. Fantasy written by or with African American protagonists are lynched with literary agented-goose-tied-nooses!
Write because ya luv it…..luv it cuz yuh write it!

J.J. JOENES author of Landwhig’s Pride: The Fifth Token of Life

coming soon on a web near you.

By: Bill Walker

Bill Walker — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:36:33 +0000

>I started a publishing company that specializes in helping authors independently publish their books. I have worked with several authors and I believe that their books look and good as any book that comes from a New York Publisher.

I'd like to comment a little on the 5 most common reasons you listed for pursing traditional publishing.

1 - Wanting to work with a team of professionals - It's possible to self-publish your book and employ/create a team of professionals (editors, designers, etc) to help make sure your book is as good a product as possible. It can also be relatively affordable.

2 - Wanting to avoid the financial investment - Well, no way to get around that one. However, you reap the rewards if your book is successful. Also, as a publisher, why would I want to invest in your book if you aren't willing to invest in your own book. If you treat your writing as a business, the cost of publishing a professional looking book is far less than starting many other types of businesses.

3 - Wanting marketing help - Marketing help for first time authors is limited at best. You've only got 45-90 days to sell a significant number of copies or else you loose what little help you had. I have a friend right now that has a publishing contract with Random House. Her book is going to launch in June. Other then setting up a few book signings for her (She has to pay her own travel), she has to do the rest of her own marketing. They also forced her to create a Facebook page and start a blog. So even with a traditional deal you are not going to avoid the responsibility of getting out there and market your own book.

4 - Wanting to see your book in bookstores - In todays changing market this is completely overrated. I can get books placed in bookstores but if they don't sell quickly they get pulled off the shelf. The majority of print books are now sold online. Amazon sells more print books then B&N and Border's combined.

5 - Wanting validation and feeling legitimacy - for me that validation is when an individual has read my book and recommended it to others.

One last thing to consider - publishing is a business. The big New York Publishers exist for one reason only and that is to make money. They don't care about making you feel good that they are publishing your book. The only care about how many copies of your book they can sell.

If you're serious about traditional publishing then start thinking about your platform. Who is going to buy your book? How are your new fans going to discover you? How are you going to reach them? Creating a large platform will enhance your chances of securing a traditional publishing deal.

Parting thought - regardless of publication method, authors sell books!

By: Marianne Cushing

Marianne Cushing — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:03:37 +0000

>As a debut novelist, I am in the process of making this very decision for myself. I have decided to give myself some time to find a publisher (how long I have not yet decided) before going the self publish route. I just started a FB page to document my journey. Come along and watch me as I try and figure this business out!!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mahalas-Lane-A-Debut-Novel/107520549331387

By: The Pen and Ink Blog

The Pen and Ink Blog — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:09:04 +0000

>I'm new here so Hi!
I'd have to be convinced there is a large audience for self published books.
Currently Pen and Ink is conducting an experiment in self publishing. http://thepenandinkblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/pen-and-ink-blog-travels-amazon.html
If you want to know about the espresso Book machine for self publishing, we just explored that. http://thepenandinkblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/espresso-book-machine-is-here.html

By: Flower Patch Farmgirl

Flower Patch Farmgirl — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:11:33 +0000

>My goal is traditional publishing, for many of the reasons you listed; however, I am open to the idea of self-publishing. I believe that since I have something to say, it doesn’t really matter how it’s heard, in the end.

By: Claude Nougat

Claude Nougat — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:57:36 +0000

>Great post as always and very useful summary of the question.I would only add that self-pub was looked down upon by legacy publishers until the digital revolution came upon all of us – with Amanda Hocking making a splash on e-books and topping it off with a multi-million dollar advance from St Martin’s Press. A fantastic result in under one year since she started self-pub.So now self e-publishing has gained RESPECTABILITY! But I would say that Amanda Hocking’s experience notwithstanding, self e-pub is best for the back list of authors that have been already published by legacy publishers – people like Konrath that have several titles out of print (or titles that never got in print) because when you e-publish you need to have a STRONG presence and that can be obtained only through hard marketing/social networking on the web and taking advantage of a name previously established in the traditional way (through being published by one of the Big 6). Just think of it! Konrath’s blog gets 500,000 hits a year!So e-pub is not for everyone. And it remains true that self-pub is only mainly for self-satisfaction…Remember, that’s what “vanity” presses were for…

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:43:03 +0000

>I would only pursue traditional publishing for my serious work. I would only consider self-publishing for small print projects that were not intended for large audiences.

By: makeithappen

makeithappen — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 03:38:06 +0000

>Some people are good with self-publishing. Others are not. I could never be happy self-publishing…

It makes me think of my childhood. I always wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. They were new and wonderful. I thought for certain I would get one on Christmas morning. Instead, I got a Flower Patch kid. Bahahaha… Now I laugh about how disappointed I was to be holding the “I wish I was a real cabbage patch” doll.

To me self-publishing would be just like holding that Flower Patch doll instead of the real thing.

By: Taz

Taz — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:18:57 +0000

>For me to self publish, I'd have to put my work under the nose of at least two English teachers, three friends who read copious amounts, and AT LEAST one author friend who has met with wide success. THEN I'd NEED help with the marketing side, because let's face it. Nationwide scope is huge.

By: MarkC

MarkC — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:17:57 +0000

>My prediction is that self-publishing companies will narrow the gap quickly with respect to the key reasons why people prefer traditional publishing. They'll soon figure out how to help authors market and build platforms and will then exploit their ability to get a book published in a matter of months. Having just completed my manuscript (2 years of my life), I thoughtfully researched and queried several appropriate potential agents. While some agents responded promptly and generously (liking my book and encouraging me to publish traditionally), the far majority of agents made no effort to convey ANY response. If the literary agency business continues to hide behind being "too busy" or "We accept so many queries we're unable to respond to you unless we like your work" and disrespects potential authors by ignoring them altogether, I suspect more authors like me will sour on the whole process and pursue self publishing. My advice to agents: no matter how many queries you receive, remember those submitting queries are human and deserve the respect of some response — even if that's only too say "we regret we're unable to take on more work but wish you great success." Just saying….

By: Jessie Gunderson

Jessie Gunderson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:09:41 +0000

>Ah, thank you for the clarification, Rachelle.

That selection process and "team" mentality is what I want. :)

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:25:10 +0000

>While I think self-publishing has some merit, the whole do-it-yourself thing doesn't appeal to me. This is why I am pursuing traditional publishing. I like the idea of having a team helping me every step of the way.