1. Failing to do proper research.
The average reader lumps all books together. In my experience, local friends don’t distinguish my traditionally published book from an author friend who used a subsidy press. Our mutual friends proudly put us in the same category as “published authors” and are equally excited for both of us. They don’t examine our covers for our publishing house logos. They don’t understand the differences between our journeys to publication. And that’s okay. They have no need to.
But . . . a writer seeking publication SHOULD understand the differences completely and thoroughly. Before choosing a method of publication, every writer should do extensive research on all the options, look at the pros and cons of each one carefully, find other authors who’ve used particular publishers and ask them about their experiences. Choosing a publishing option is a very big decision with significant ramifcations for everything including editing, book covers, and marketing. We should go into our publication choice knowing exactly what the publisher offers and what we'll be responsible for shouldering.
2. Having wrong expectations.
When we started seeking publication, most of us had unrealistic expectations about the process, particularly of traditional publication (myself included). We finished our first book, jumped up and down with excitement, and knew the world would love it. We figured if only we could get our book in front of the right people, they’d ooh and aah over our original, creative, inspiring book.
When rejections began to roll in, we started to wonder what was wrong with publishers and agents. Surely something was messed up with the entire system if the professionals could so quickly and easily dismiss our works of greatness—often without even a word. We were tempted to get angry and bitter, and may have even said something like, “With all of the mediocre books on the shelves, surely mine deserves a spot.”
If we reach that point, first we need to evaluate if we have a realistic view of our own writing. We should get a qualified and objective view on our books from someone who is willing to be honest about our skill and story (consider the possibility of a freelance editor). And second, we should make sure we’re immersing ourselves in the publishing industry so that we can have a better perspective on the realities of the business.
3. Giving up too soon.
I respect those who take the time to investigate all of the options and choose what is best for them and their book, no matter where that leads. However, many writers start down the road to traditional publication without weighing what is best for them. Often traditional publication is the default choice. The problem with this way of thinking is that when things start to get rough (and they will), many writers give up the traditional route and head down other avenues, in some ways sending the message that non-traditional methods are Plan B, sub-standard, and last-resort. And is that what we really want?
So first, I think everyone should do their research and decide which type of publication fits best. For those who choose traditional publication, we won’t have the choice to give up when the wait begins to be interminable, when the rejections pour in, when the door seems like it keeps slamming in our face. We’ll continue to persevere on the path that we think is best for us.
Of course, everyone has the right to change their minds, to explore new options, to re-evaluate what works for their story. But . . . all too often writers give up on traditional publication because the going gets rough, when really they needed to stick it out, give it more time and effort, and continue to grow in their writing skills and story-telling ability.
~Summary: The beauty of the publishing industry today is that there are so many choices available for all of us, choices that can fit our unique interests and stories. But I firmly believe every writer needs to choose WISELY.
Do you agree or disagree with my logic? Do you think that some writers choose publishing options unwisely, based on lack of research, faulty expectations, or giving up too soon? What method of publication have you chosen? And have you thought through the decision carefully?
Posts
I do believe some writers give up too soon. There is one person I know, won't name names, but she searched for an agent for a mere two months, gave up after all the rejections, and then self-published. I thought it a very unwise choice. It seemed she just wanted to start making money on it and was very impatient.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've been seeking agent representation for about a year and a half, with no results. My story just doesn't seem to be commercial enough. So I started seeking out Small Presses, and have found some great ones out there. And I'm finally getting some interest. I knew that I definitely didn't want to self-publish, that, to me, feels like I'm giving up, and I couldn't stand giving up on myself.
Do you consider publishing with a Small Press, non-traditional publishing? I always thought it was still traditional, but to a smaller degree and with less exposure. Of course it depends on the press. But I mean, generally speaking.
Jessica, not sure what Jody thinks, but I think traditional publishing means the author receives an advance, royalties, and that the publisher does marketing, etc for the book (so does the author but the pub is set up for it through different contacts in the industry) That's my take. Congrats on the interest!!! I've read some books I loved that were pubbed by small presses.
ReplyDeleteJody, totally agree with your post. :-)
@Jessica N: Well in that case it really depends on the Press. Some Small Presses do give advances, royalties, and market the book, AND do a proper initial print run. Others, either only offer royalties, and you have to market the book considerably yourself, and they use POD technology. Thankfully the one that's interested in mine is not the latter! :o) I think a press like that would be my last resort after years and years of trying to get published. And it would only be a last resort if my future novels never got anywhere either. Because there's always another book lurking on the horizon! Right? :o)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jody! I've chosen the traditional route, and I'm very glad I've stuck it out these past couple years. :) I know there have been times when I considered another way, but ususally this consideration followed a rejection or a disappointment or a general feeling of, "I'm sick of waiting!"
ReplyDeleteI agree that research is always key. Going with a smaller indie press is always a personal choice that should be based on your goals. I don't think going with a smaller press is going to hurt your chances with a big press and will offer valuable experience in publishing and marketing. Esp. if your book isn't commercial enough, or too niche. I do think a lot go the smaller press route when they realize their writing isn't interesting the traditional publishers. And there's nothing wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. And YES in anything in life: DO NOT GIVE UP.
ReplyDeleteJessica Bell asked: Do you consider publishing with a Small Press, non-traditional publishing? I always thought it was still traditional, but to a smaller degree and with less exposure.
ReplyDeleteMy Answer: While I'm definitely no expert, I'd have to agree with Jessica Nelson--that a publisher is tradtional if they offer an advance and royalty. In traditional publication, the publisher pays the author, not the other way around (whereas in subsidy/vanity, self-pub the author must pay the publisher).
There are many size houses within traditional publishers usually broken down by large, mid-list, and small. The smaller in size, usually the less money an author will make, and the more work an author will need to do to help their book stand out.
I know that I researched all options early on before I even had a book completely ready, but I quickly realized through reading blogs and online articles, that I wanted traditional publishing or nothing. The atmosphere of the publishing industry changes often, so I'm not saying I'll never consider self-publishing or small press, but for the fiction writing I'm currently writing, I wouldn't consider anything but the traditional route.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to switch gears, write some amazing nonfiction and develop an incredible, far-reaching platform, I might have a different attitude. But for now...
I think the distinction needs to be made between self-publishing and a smaller publishing house. They are not one and the same. At least to the best of my knowledge, self-publishing means you are paying someone to publish your work, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that is ever a good option, although it has proved successful for certain individuals.
I don't think publishing through a smaller publishing house is a bad thing. I'm going that route. And they are considered a 'traditional' publisher.
I did not get picked up by one of the big guys in the publishing industry, but at the end of the day, having done the research, I don't think I will regret going with a smaller house. I think as long as you, the author, are comfortable with who you're entrusting your 'baby' too, that's all that matters. If you're willing to do the work to make sure the final copy is clean, and you are wiling to invest time and energy in marketing, then I say go for it. My logic is that at some point, all these big publishers started out small, right? If it's a step toward launching your career, take it.
This discussion is perfect timing for me. I'm close to the end of my current project and ready to start down the publishing road, looking at the possibilities. All of you have given me words of wisdom to consider. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to discuss my fit with an agent.
ReplyDeleteResearch has certainly helped me to get a feel for where I belong, but I can't wait to team with someone immersed in the industry.
~ Wendy
I pray my expectations are what God has for me. :O)
ReplyDeleteAnother thought-provoking post, Jody.
ReplyDeleteGiven that I have a full-time job and this was my first fiction novel I was seeking to get published, I'm happy that I went with a small press publisher that uses print-on-demand technology. It was a good fit for my first foray into fiction publishing.
I am not a patient person and there's no way I could keep up the querying to traditional publishers for years.
Thanks for the post. Nontraditional publishers are becoming more respected as their quality goes up, but we still have less professional and savory examples in every type. For me, I'm beginning to consider a POD publisher as well as traditional ones.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jody,
ReplyDeleteNot giving up is key. And remembering that there are no guarantees no matter what route you pursue.
Thanks :-)
I really enjoyed this post. I relate to what you're saying in so many ways; having finished my book and found an editor I have realised that it isn't the wonderful story I thought it was! Someone else reads it and see it differently to how I see it. That's why editing has to be done on many different levels, in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
Great post, especially the "Giving up too early" advice. I was headed down the road, but am now trying to double back.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your posts, they are always so helpful. I started out writing my book thinking I would self-publish, but quickly realized that was not an option for me, for so many reasons. I decided to put all my effort into writing and perfecting my book and then start seeking an agent. After a couple non responses, I started to get dicouraged. Then, one day I received a response where the agent told me that she would have a hard time convincing publishers to take a chance on me because I have no platform (my book is non-fiction). After that, I was discouraged again, but quickly got back up again and decided to use what I have to build my platform. My website was just sitting there, so I used it to start a blog teaching what God has taught me in my life. Now God is using me to touch lives and in the process, build a platform. Just looking at it from one step at a time helps me to keep perserving to pursue publishing. I believe the most important thing you can do is ask God where He is leading you. Knowing I am following His guidance gives me stregth to pass through the roadblocks of rejection.
ReplyDeleteGreedy me would love a big house to take on my novels. I do have to say I think self pub is not for everyone, but those who have long tern goals of being a career writer and choose that path are giving up way too soon. As for small presses, I've seen authors struggle with distribution just as though they had self pubbed. I think an agents guidance is best.
ReplyDeleteI think what you write and your purpose for writing might influence which avenue you go with. I see many non-fiction writers doing well with self-publishing. They publish their stories, do the public speaking circuit and sell their books. Their audience may not be as great as a large or even small publishing house, but they are getting their story out there and fulfilling their personal purpose. I think for fiction though, I would want to go the more traditional route:)
ReplyDeleteI have to jump in the discussion today and say that many of you have mentioned the importance of an agent in helping with the publication decision, and I would have to agree whole-heartedly! Especially for those who have chosen to pursue tradtional publication, an agent can help us decide the best publisher for our book--whether that be a smaller house or someone bigger.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your points. There is nothing wrong with deciding you want to be able to walk into a book store and see your book on a shelf, but we have to be prepared to study, keep an open mind, and write more than one book to make that happen.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!
back when I first started writing I made ALL those mistakes ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Jody -
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Research is critical, and the pros and cons need to be weighed.
While readers might not care if we go traditional or self-publishing, bookstores have a bias against the latter. Self-publishing also involves money...lots of it.
Another consideration: are we writing fiction or non-fiction. For someone with a speaking platform, who needs materials for back-of-the-room sales, traditional publishing is too slow.
Blessings,
Susan :)
yes, the advise a load of friends give me ... I've done the research they have the heresay.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Great advice and thanks, I needed the reminder. I've been wondering what I'm doing wrong and you've just told me. I'm not being patient. LOL
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice! I have known several people who self-published novels. In most cases, they have been disappointed by the difficulty of selling their novels, and ended up with a lot of unsold novels on their hands. I do think there can be exceptions, but it's important for us to understand WHY a novel might be an exception rather than just dreaming that it will be. I know that before I signed my contract, I had a couple of moments when I came close to losing faith and thought about self-publishing, just as you describe here. My novel had a local interest angle that I knew would sell a certain number of copies, but I am SO glad I didn't do that. Our lovely agent Rachelle was great at helping me stay patient. :-)
ReplyDeleteWriters sometimes think so much about publication they forget to write a good book. My writers group and I were talking about it last night - one of the women is so eager to see her book in print that she doesn't want to take the time (a painfully sloooow process) of doing the research, editing and re-editing, required to write a fantastic book. And isn't that the real goal?
ReplyDeleteHello Jody,
ReplyDeleteVery nice article here. Today, I wanted to write on my blog about mistakes in writing. During my search for information, I stumbled across your blog. This is very well put together Jody, true too. I'd love to follow your work. Do you think I could link some of your blog on mine?
The easiest, for any writer, is to self-publish. Don't flame; here is why: We already wrote it, so it's hard as hell to give up on, and getting published is not easy. So, many are now flocking to the self publishing world, dreaming that their book is the one to break the mold.
The first time I edited my book, I thought I had it. When I read it again, I had a whole new take. There is so much to learn, we must never think we know enough.
If you think of giving up, don't. With self-publishing, at least you have a route you can pave for yourself. There are no more cracks to slip through.
Well, you still need to get readers...
And there is the whole 'writing good' thing...
Draven Ames
I enjoyed your thought-provoking post, Jody. For my first book I finally did go with a print-on-demand option, and it taught me a lot. I did that because it wasn't clicking with commercial publishers, even though I got good critiques at conferences, (so the time may not have been right commercially.) Because of that book, I started a blog, got on FB, Twitter, and a brand new world opened up to me. It also got the book out of my filing cabinet and into the hands of young readers, who have enjoyed it. For the future, I'm going the traditional route, but I don't think one self-published book has done any damage to those prospects.
ReplyDeleteI agree. There is so much more to this than people realize, and we must do our homework. Great points.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Karen
Hi Draven,
ReplyDeleteGlad you stumbled across my blog!Yes, feel free to link to my blog! I'd be honored! Love when I can help spark discussion and get us all thinking about how we can navigate this whole publishing process!
Tart and Soul said: Writers sometimes think so much about publication they forget to write a good book . . . And isn't that the real goal?
ReplyDeleteMy Answer: Absolutely. Whatever choice we make, we can't forget that it takes a LOT of time to get our books to the point where they're "ready." If we decide that a small niche publisher is the place for our book, we still can't short cut the process of making it the best book possible. Unfortunately, if we look at non-traditional publishing as a short-cut or back-up, we might miss out on the long process of honing our writing and books that often comes when we persevere through the traditional publication process.
I do think having wrong expectations can be a real killer. It's so hard to know what to expect, that most expectations do turn out wrong. Which is where #3: don't give up, comes in.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points, as always, Jody. I know a number of writers who have self-published or gone with small presses and they seem quite content with the outcome. A lot depends on one's expectations. Doing the research is definitely important.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm looking at the long term, publishing multiple books, and would like the expertise and guidance of an agent and the security of a well established publisher.