I am frequently asked about the advantages and disadvantages
of self-publishing. Even though I am far from being an expert, that doesn't stop me from shooting off my mouth.
After writing the first draft of my book, I called a friend
in New York City who was a
high-profile literary agent. I energetically explained my book and then asked
for her opinion. I knew my book wasn’t her cup of tea; I was just getting some
direction. She launched into a description of the New York publishing scene that curled my toenails.
She said that since I was a first-time-unknown author, my
chances of landing with a major New York publishing house without an agent were anorexic at best. I was told most big
time publishers wouldn’t even sneer at me without an agent. Unfortunately, finding
an agent who I liked and who liked me could take forever. She pointed out that
the best agents were as picky as publishers. But she conceded that if I did
find an agent and he approached publishers, then it could still take two or
three months just to get a rejection.
But let’s say the stars aligned perfectly and a publisher was
interested. She averred that a first-time-unknown author gets bupkis in terms
of royalties/advances and for that pittance he would have to sign over all
rights and, get this, wait up to two years before seeing his book in print. All
decisions regarding the content, paper quality, jacket cover, and price would be the
publisher’s. I was told that I definitely would not be allowed to have it
illustrated but if by some miracle I was able to convince the publisher, I
would not be able to choose the artist.
She said all that was good news compared to what follows.
Once the book gets into print, it would be sold to major
chains. (For all intents and purposes, there are only two – Borders and Barnes
& Noble as Waldenbooks is owned by one and B. Dalton is owned by the
other.) Then an author’s descent into Hell begins as all promotional activity
is done by the author without any help from the publisher, financially or
otherwise, unless, of course, you are Hillary Clinton or John Grisham. What that means is that an author is given a
window of about 120 days to generate enough book sales to warrant the self
space. If the book has a slow start, then sayonara, mon amour.
The economics are even more torturous. Middlemen, whose sole
function, as far as I can tell, is taking the book out of one box and putting
it into another, command a larger percentage of the sale than the author gets.
So does the printer, for that matter.
Whether any of that is (or was) true, semi-true, or complete
poppycock, hearing it demoralized me. To wait for two or three years to see my
book in print and then to run around like a head with the chicken cut off for
four months trying to promote it, seemed exhausting, pointless, lacking any
proportionality, and in direct violation of every principle in my book.
But that demoralization turned out to be a good thing. It
motivated me to start my own author-friendly publishing company.
I did everything exactly like I wanted. I didn’t have to
fight with (and ultimately lose to) some fresh-faced editor right out of college.
Best of all I picked the illustrator and had the time of my life collaborating
with him.
I also had the luxury to test various promotional activities
and make course corrections – something I never would have been able to do
under a 120-day gun. I own the copyright and have personally sold the language
rights to foreign publishers – now totaling seven (German, Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, Czech, Hungarian, and Portuguese). My agent friend tells me I even got
a higher royalty percentage than the norm in some cases.
Perhaps, and this is a tenuous perhaps, I could have sold
more books going through a traditional publisher using a traditional distributor
to get into the traditional book chains. On the other hand, even though I am selling fewer
books, I know that under my scenario, everyone involved with the creative side
of my book is making, and will continue to make, more money. And that is the
way it should be.
To be sure, I made a ton of mistakes and had several false
starts because I knew absolutely nothing about the industry when I launched my
publishing company. But the best news is that I am now wiser plus I have an
infrastructure in place. With it I can produce and market more books while
having more fun and making more money and never having to leave my home. And
that too is how it should be.
www.lazyway.net
Your article was interesting. Do you have an opinion on the print on demand companies such as iUniverse?
Posted by: Annie | March 07, 2006 at 03:24 PM
Any plans for an Hebrew edition? The workaholic Israelis are ripe for your book's message:)
Posted by: Avi Solomon | March 07, 2006 at 03:42 PM
Splendid book Fred.
I bought it in January. I gobbled it up in one sitting, effortlessly.
This anonymity emboldens me to confess that reading your hand - penned inscription, I cried a little because I received it as heartfelt and expressly for me. Then I thought how sad.
Partly because of your book, I go easier on myself, beat meyself up less in my head. My mind is much more alert of the choices available to me all the time. I'm not afraid of wanting things.
Thank you for making my life nicer and other peoples' lives too. Anyhow truth has an unmistakable familiarity.
Posted by: Rachel | March 08, 2006 at 02:22 AM
I was thinking about writing a children's book but never really thought too much about the downside of submitting it to publishers. Maybe self- publishing is the way to go after all. Thanks for the inside info!
Posted by: V.J. | March 08, 2006 at 01:56 PM
There IS another major book store chain:
Books-A-Million
http://www.booksamillion.com/cat/books
Third largest chain in the country. If you've never been in one, you've missed a treat.
Posted by: Jason | March 11, 2006 at 08:49 PM
I recently published a small book for preschoolers. I used AuthorHouse.com. It was more expensive than I had wanted but I'm very pleased with the product. Publishing is the easy part. Now I have to market it! I did a small mailing (with Authorhouse provided post cards). I'll be attending BookExpo America in DC in May. Was It worth it? Probably too early to tell. BUT I loved seeing my name on the cover of a book. Better than seeing it on an article.
Posted by: Mary Lou | March 22, 2006 at 04:19 PM
Thank you so much for sharing all this info! We do a lot of self publishing consults and this entry reflects pretty much everything we've found along the way, too. The permalink to this entry will be great to share with folks!!! Miracles to you!! k-
Posted by: Kara | May 02, 2006 at 01:33 AM
Thanks for sharing this inspiring experience. I published with POD. But one thing I still can't figure out is, how does author know how many copies of his book are really printed?
Posted by: Thomas | May 16, 2006 at 08:49 PM
Your article is very informative and inspiring to those who are considering the self-publishing route
Posted by: JC | June 29, 2006 at 10:08 PM
I enjoyed reading your material. It gave me the incentive to never give up on your dreams... especially when the lights in the tunnel disappear. I've learned there are so many well-known author's whose first book was self published.
I'm in the process of working with a print on demand company and I'm having the best time of my life! I don't feel alone and everyone seems so helpful in seeing the product come to life! No matter how this turns out, I have faith in my book and I'm having fun!
Posted by: S. Patterson | July 12, 2006 at 12:19 AM
I have just finished with my first novel and am thinking about authorhouse.com, any comments about this self publishing company??
Thanks
Posted by: rkha | March 29, 2007 at 11:44 PM
If you have the financial ability, which is best. POD or true self publishing?
Posted by: James | August 16, 2007 at 08:47 PM
I have written two books already. Now I am seeking a good publisher to publish my third book, or publish me first boo that has already been out of market.
I am a professor of education and my first book is about Education and Politics, and my new book would be "No Education, Just Politics."
Posted by: Dr. Radhaber D. Khati | October 03, 2007 at 07:07 PM
- I want to have information about traditional publishing and the distribution of the self published books.
Posted by: Dr. Radhaber D. Khati | October 03, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Hi,
I Have worked for many year, and gave my books to lulu.com, and the first was the lightning source, but did not get any thing. I still have books, which could win even Nobel price, but the illiterates who work in those print on demand companies have no regard on people and only mess the works of people and use them for play. They have no regard even for mankind.
thanks,
Dr. P.O. Ikeme
Posted by: Bishop Dr.P.O.Ikeme | February 07, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Therefore what shall I do? About five books of mine are publishing only that the companies the print on demand lulu who published it has no regard towards them. If they sell the money and refuse to give any revenue to me I do not know and such a thing have I also once told them which they said, never.
I need a distributor who can distribute my books to the whole Sellers and book shops.
thanks. same Dr. P.O.IKEME
Posted by: Bishop Dr.P.O.Ikeme | February 07, 2009 at 01:43 PM
I published my first book by a Self publishing company. Now I have two children books I need to publish but I wish I could talk to a good Traditional publishing company to see how they work, so if you know one please tell them to write me. at 5625 Nicole Lane,Beaumont Tx 77713 Thank you
Posted by: Mrs. darnell | June 23, 2009 at 02:38 AM
Self-publishing and traditional publishing both have its pros and cons. You just need to weigh your options more carefully and see which one better suits your publishing goals.
Posted by: booklover1020 | September 22, 2009 at 07:51 PM
I agree with booklover self publishing and traditional publishing has its pros and cons it all depend of the author where he/she will be comfortable.
Posted by: BookWhirl | May 14, 2010 at 07:18 AM
have got an Egyptian based stale and blended with the ancient Greek story of Armaggadon.Looking for a traditional publisher
Posted by: abang achuo | May 17, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Hi there fred, it was great reading your article and getting an insight into the publishing world. I'm a new publisher and at the moment after a bit of research settled with AuthorHouse. To date they have allowed me a lot of scope to deal one-to-one with the dept involved. I am waiting for a traditional publisher to get back to me as well. I hope I have done the right thing ... it may not be Harry Potter, and I aint the new JK Rowling, but I am scottish, Juillian Crook, so look out for me .... hopefully! Thank you for your article.
Posted by: Juilliana Crook | June 13, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Has anyone heard of a self publishing company called Xlibis?
Posted by: Paris Jean | August 20, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Hey, I just read your article. I recently returned to the states from backpacking around Europe. I took copious notes and doodles during the trip, which resulted in a detailed account of my adventure. I went alone, and a 20 year old girl going to 26 countries in 101 days, without ever staying in a hostel, seems to make quite an interesting memoir. I want to get it published, but I'm not certain which is the best way to go about doing it. If you have any advice, please enlighten me. Thanks!
Posted by: Shea | August 23, 2011 at 07:42 PM
during the first time it is good to self-published for you get to learn how things happen in there, so the next time you can have more options
- Jack Leak
Posted by: Jack's Customized Fat Loss | September 02, 2011 at 08:51 PM
I agree with your mistakes, but when you try to strive for everything I'm sure it would be better.
Posted by: BookWhirl | February 12, 2013 at 08:40 PM