Self-pubbing

Someone wrote to say, "I'm not published, but I'm considering self-publishing a nonfiction collection of some old columns and newer musings in the same vein. One of my writer friends is appalled and says I will forever damage my writing reputation and future publishing potential. Some agent sites say that writers should not reveal they've self-published unless it's a successful venture. What's your take on this matter?"

Self publishing is great way to have the fun of seeing your name in print while losing lots of money. As somebody who has successfully self-pubbed three books, I can tell you that I'm a fan, so long as you do it right.

First, I don't think self-pubbing automatically hurts you. The fact is, there are several speakers who have self-pubbed a book, sold a bunch of copies, showed a track record of sales to publishers, and landed a deal with a royalty-paying publisher. If you can create a book and sell copies, chances are a publisher will notice and appreciate that.

Second, keep in mind there are lots MORE people who self-pubbed, created a lousy book, added a REALLY lousy cover, couldn't sell them, and eventually boosted their local economy by investing in the magic of recycling. (Or, if they were smart, gave them to some nonprofit when they weren't looking, then took a tax deduction. See US Government Form BAFS2007 -- Bad Author Filing Singly.)

In my view, this isn't a tough choice: ONLY self-publish if you can sell the books yourself. ONLY. End of story. If you can't sell them, don't do it.

I'll say it another way for all the slow readers: If you have a venue (like you're speaking and can sell them in the back of the room), or you have access to a group (like you're the chairperson of the Mel Torme Fan Club and you've just written "The Life of the Velvet Fog"), or your Great Aunt just turned in her soup ladle and left you big wads o' cash that you don't know what to do with -- go ahead and self-publish. Otherwise, stay away. Because I can guarantee you that your self-published book is not going to get noticed, it isn't going to be sold by others, and it isn't going to turn you into writing's version of an overnight sensation. Trust me on this. It will simply be an expensive way for you to "feel sort of a like a real writer."

I once helped a guy who had started his own chain of restaurant to create his company saga. He printed them, sells them in his restaurants, and gives them away to senior staff. I also wrote an invest book with a guy who teaches people how to buy and sell stock options (speaking of ways to lose money fast). He sells them to his seminar participants. I have written and sold my own books of card magic, because I know that every card magician in America subscribes to either Genii Magazine, Magic Magazine, MUM, or The Linking Ring. I took out ads in those mags, sold a thousand copies of my book, and made out like a bandit.

BUT the majority of self-published books are weak, mainly because they are done by people with too much ego to recognize the reason their book isn't getting published is because (a) it's a bad idea, or (b) it's bad writing, or (c) there's no audience for it, or (d) all of the above.  My experience is that many self-published books are poorly edited because that person with too much ego can't see the value of professional editing, and won't listen to it even if they heard it because to heed editing advice would mean the publishers were correct. And, of course, lots of self-published books have lousy covers because that big ego won't allow the author to admit that he or she knows as much about art design as they do about piloting the Space Shuttle. So that means there are a bunch of self-published books that are poorly produced because the amateur doesn't know any better.

Still, the biggest problem with self-published books is that THEY DON'T SELL because the author who wrote it had no idea how he or she was going to sell them once they showed up in the garage. So hear me again: If you don't have a method for selling your self-published book, turn and run the other way. Even if you think your book is brilliant. Even if your mom tells you it's a great idea. Even if all the people in your English class say you've got the chops to be a fantastic novelist some day. Otherwise you're going to spend a lot of money for what will eventually turn into land fill. You'll have boxes of books sitting in your basement, and you'll be wondering why the rest of the world doesn't wake up and come buy them from you, and the whole thing will turn into a bitter disappointment.

(Note to all poets: Yeah, yeah...you're all sensitive. And you have every right to self-publish your deep and meaningful poetry about how sensitive you are, then sell it to your friends. But let's face it...your friends are buying it because you're their friend and, as I already noted, sensitive. So don't write me a bunch of whiny letters stating how "Shallow American Readers Don't Like Poetry." The fact is, if you can only sell your words to people who know you, then you don't really have a book -- you have a family.)

There are a bunch of rip-off companies out there masquerading as publishers -- to read about them, pick up a copy of Ten Percent of Nothing, a wonderful expose of fee-based agents and vanity publishers. But there are some companies who know what they're doing, do it well, and won't cheat you. The folks at Winepress, for example. They get you an ISBN, use real editors, actually work on marketing with you, and in the end give you a nice product. I know the folks at Xulon can produce a nice-looking book. There are others -- but be aware that many places will simply produce whatever you give them -- so if you haven't listened to my earlier advice about editing, you may end up looking stupid. (Of course, if you're planning to publish a book because you are, in fact, a great writer, perhaps the second coming of Ernest Hemingway, and a misunderstood genius to boot, and all those publishers are completely wrong in their assessment of you, it's too late -- you already look stupid. Sorry to have to be the one to tell you.)

Again, I'm a fan of self-publishing if you do it right, have a plan, and can actually sell the books. I had two good-selling magic books, and I worked with magician Andre Kole to self-publish a book we wrote together that had gone out of print -- we went on to sell another 20,000 copies of our own version at his performances. It can work. So if you want to put your columns together and sell them at speaking engagements or workshops, it's a fine idea. If you are invested in internet marketing and have a way to reach your audience, go for it. But self-publishing your own novel, for example, probably isn't going to make a difference one way or the other when a publisher is making a decision on your manuscript, unless you self-pubbed and sold ten thousand copies, got noticed by PW, and got nominated for some big writing award. (And if that's the case, you should call me right away!)

chip

Comments

[Rachel Hauck]

Let's see, I looked over at the list of books you're currently reading… if in fact you can read nine books at once… and I don't see my latest book.

LOST IN NASHVEGAS.

This, for calling me a booger-head.

Oh yeah, VERY sound advice on the self-pub thing. I wholeheartedly agree.

So, folks, if you doubt Chip, believe me. ;)

Peace out,
Rachel

[Michelle Pendergrass]

There. That's more like it.

[Jules Quincy Stephens]

Hey, I want a slap too.

[Pamela Meyers]

Chip,
You had me ROFL, but at the same time what you speak about self-publishing makes all the sense in the world. Many times, people not in the know give me ads for self publishing companies or ask why I don't go that route.
Self publishing can be good in a niche market, but especially for a novelist, it can be a very tough go.

Pam

[Ron Estrada]

Chip, my wife read Lost in Nash Vegas. She said, "It's good." There, now you don't have to read it.

I agree with you on the self-pubbing thing (how's that for poetry?). Most of these companies are only taking advantage of the writer who feels he or she should be good enough to be published. That those big houses just don't get it. Well, to me, the bigger problem is the writers who get a professional opinion of their work and choose to ignore it. Yes, it hurts to get slammed. But learn from it. Change what's wrong. The moment you think you know better than the pros, you're sunk just as surely as if you let their criticism bring your writing to a complete stop. Listen, learn, and grow. Eventually, someone will pay you for your efforts, as it should be.

[Julie Dearyan]

I so agree with you on the publishing thing! I've been involved with three self-pubbed products that thank goodness don't have my name on them though they weren't that bad. Two of the books are selling to a niche market and one of them is actually making money for the author which is a big surprise to me. The third I'd rather not talk about. LOL