Before I begin my second series on self-publishing, you need to know I will present both sides of the issue, the pluses and the minuses. In fact, most of the points I'll bring up can be looked at as an either or, depending on people's situations and opinions.
Advantage 1. Your book will be available in a matter of weeks, not a couple of years. I chose my publisher on January 9, 2012 and my book, Room 1515, came out February 22, 2012. Unless you are an infamous celebrity, you will search for months, maybe years, for an agent. The agent is not a magic genie. He or she may never sell your book to a publisher. Once the book is sold, you will get in line with the publisher's schedule, an average time of another year to publication. I'M RETIRED. I COULD DIE BEFORE THIS ROUTE PAYS OFF. Just saying.
Advantage 2. Timeliness: If you're writing about a hot topic or in a hot genre today, will that genre or topic be so hot two to three years from now? One month, I think you're safe. Three years, you've missed the bus. Fact: eBooks have changed the ballgame. Today, to publish in one month is a reality.
Advantage 3: Control and Rights: A well researched, self-published author retains the rights to the product and its uses--foreign sales, movies, and television. Note: The percentage of self-published books being made into a movie is minuscule. The author controls the content and the cover design. There is no editor demanding you rewrite whole sections of your book. THIS COULD BE A REAL NEGATIVE IF YOUR WORK NEEDS CORRECTION. lol
Enough for now, below is the link to my novel. The topic is timely. International politics, betrayal, seduction, and romance. plus nasty villains and a lot of action.
Showing posts with label Agents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Agents. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Monday, November 28, 2011
To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish - The Journey
I've been writing for six years. Why? Because I enjoy writing, but more importantly, I have something worthwhile to say and I want to share my ideas with others. My projects are receiving recognition. I added up my writing statistics. I've won a thriller competition, placed eighth in a Writer's Digest Short Story Contest, published, or am in the process of publishing, five shorts stories where I'm actually being paid. I've finished two novels that are ready for publication and three more in the process of layering. What now?
My writing mentors, all published authors, say, "Bill, you've worked too hard to go the self-publishing route." Well, have I mentioned I've spent--now wait for it--$5,375.00 on workshops, seminars, conferences, and professional editing services. Other writers I know have spent more. I've received fifty-one rejections from agents, most coming in the form of no response.
The rise of Amazon and Barnes and Nobles' electronic readers have made self-publishing easier. Couple that with the tight economy creating problems for publishing companies, and there is an opportunity for new authors to market their work like never before. But the work has to be exceptional. So here is a question I'd like feedback on for my readers. In your opinion, what are the three major drawbacks to self-publishing?
Join me over the next few months as I share my journey, To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish. Please, sign up to follow my blog and receive automatic posts.
My writing mentors, all published authors, say, "Bill, you've worked too hard to go the self-publishing route." Well, have I mentioned I've spent--now wait for it--$5,375.00 on workshops, seminars, conferences, and professional editing services. Other writers I know have spent more. I've received fifty-one rejections from agents, most coming in the form of no response.
The rise of Amazon and Barnes and Nobles' electronic readers have made self-publishing easier. Couple that with the tight economy creating problems for publishing companies, and there is an opportunity for new authors to market their work like never before. But the work has to be exceptional. So here is a question I'd like feedback on for my readers. In your opinion, what are the three major drawbacks to self-publishing?
Join me over the next few months as I share my journey, To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish. Please, sign up to follow my blog and receive automatic posts.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Upcoming Conferences
Tulsa Nightwriters and Writers of Inspirational Fiction attention!
The DFW Writers' Conference is coming up in mid-April, 2010, followed by the Oklahoma Writers' Federation Conference at the end of that month. Both provide excellent programs, great opportunities to win contests, and a good opportunity to meet with agents. Pam and I are attending both conferences next year, and I encourage other Oklahoma writers to do the same - if you can afford it. Here are two great reasons to attend. First, the DFW Conference attracts a different set of agents from OWFI, many from New York Agencies, and it has some classes not offered in OKC. Second, we can encourage out-of-state attendance to our Oklahoma conferences, if we put out the word face-to-face.
See you at both.
The DFW Writers' Conference is coming up in mid-April, 2010, followed by the Oklahoma Writers' Federation Conference at the end of that month. Both provide excellent programs, great opportunities to win contests, and a good opportunity to meet with agents. Pam and I are attending both conferences next year, and I encourage other Oklahoma writers to do the same - if you can afford it. Here are two great reasons to attend. First, the DFW Conference attracts a different set of agents from OWFI, many from New York Agencies, and it has some classes not offered in OKC. Second, we can encourage out-of-state attendance to our Oklahoma conferences, if we put out the word face-to-face.
See you at both.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Another Chicken Soup Success
My short stories continue to find homes. Not only did I have an article published in The Write Life, Tracy Crump's growing e-newsletter, but my story, A Renewed Life, has made the second cut for Chicken Soup of the Soul's NASCAR book, coming out in February. Those who know me know I use the short story to hone my skills. Developing conflict, filling out character's emotions, and wrapping up a super plot in 3,000 words or less, provides a want-to-be novelist like myself with the skills to carry a readers' interest from chapter to chapter through a novel. My next short story, Genetics , is waiting for me to find a humorous short story contest to enter it in. I won't keep it waiting long.
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