Self Publishing

Here's an essay I wrote a while ago. I gleaned a lot of this information from reading Chip MacGregor's blog, who is an agent. Great stuff!

A whirlwind of opportunities open up the minute you step into the publishing world with a manuscript in hand. There are many roads to publication, one of them being self-publishing (or self-pubbing). Why would someone side step a conventional publisher for self-pubbing?

Let’s define terms real quick; a self-publisher is usually a publisher you pay to print your book, and no more. A royalty publisher pays production and promotion upfront and gives you a percent of the net sales.

Self-pubbing is easier in a specific definition. A self-publisher typically isn’t interested in the quality of your work; they make their living when you pull out your wallet and not when a couple sees a nice cover in the bookstore. You’re not forced to live up to high quality, but it’s still not easy. You’re forced to spend tons of time and/or money doing your own marketing and other things. That time could be used for honing your craft.

A conventional publisher, one that’ll buy your manuscript in confidence it’ll sell, will usually pay production and promotion. In self-publishing your doing good to receive an ISBN…essentially a calling number so stores can order it. Do you have a well-thought plan for selling your book? Are you the son of the Pope? Self-pubbing likely isn’t your path then.



Another reason to opt self-pubbing is the possible reputation you might attain. There’re agents and publishers who won’t even look at your work after finding you’ve self-published. Granted, there are some good self-publishers out there who’ll get you an ISBN and will even promote you. But the ultimate responsibility rests with you.

So why do people self-publish? Some of it’s ego; the publishers don’t know what’s in front of them! There are others who’re allured by making all the profits instead of a percentage. Think of it this way; if you’re paying for this entire operation, you going to need every last penny!

In conclusion, I’d recommend sticking with conventional publishers unless you’re a celebrity, know where to market, or have a shuttle you can sell on ebay to cover the expenses. If no one’s interested in your work concentrate on your plot, characters, where your book is going to sell, and the all-important query letter.

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