Would you buy a book that's been self-published by its writer? Or does it, not having an established publisher's backing, smack of self-indulgence and general dodginess?
As an industry insider, I suggest finding a publisher.
It's one thing publishing your own book, it's another thing when book sellers won't take it on and you're sitting with a standard print run of 5000 books in your lounge.
The world of vanity publishing is unfortunately filled with writers with big dreams but lacking in self-awareness and honest critique. The value of a publisher I suppose is an objective pair of eyes, someone who has no need to blow smoke up your proverbial a-hole, while self-publishers have more freedom. Neither excludes the other, btw, as vanity publishing can open doors.
I think it depends... is this a last resort after being turned down by every publisher the book was submitted to? Think JK Rowling... If the writer just decided to publish without submitting anywhere - then I'd think - dodgy or desperate.
i'd say both have their pro's and cons. first time writers should persist with finding a publisher. establish yourself. but then again, everyone is different.
if you can afford it - and have the strategy to market and publicise it well then i would say its good. but you need to build your contact/networking list up for that to work.
and yes i would buy it..as would anyone else if they were convinced it wasnt a pile of pants, i imagine.
hi there... sorry i missed the bloggers rendevous! in a small town like durbs i over-ambitiously figured i would make it to all the places i needed to be at. alas.
regards self-publishing...
1.im self-published. 2.i had the option of varsity presses, keeping in mind that my research was undertaken at Wits. 3. theres a difference of note between vanity and self-publishing.
Contemporary publishing initiatives like self-publishers screen the manuscript and do the nitty gritty registrations with the national library, encoding etc. what it means in effect tho, is that you maintain full control over the process from layout and design to product marketing. i would do so again. oh and its not a new and untested area. mark twain was self published along with numerous other names. theres tons of material that gets filtered through the traditional publishing eye that should make it to the bookshelves. it takes resource. initiative. and funds. bottom line. thats what makes self-publishing potentially a schlepp. but the networks, once you engage them, are amazing. even in SA with its limited readership!
Have you read Preethi Nair's story of self publishing? She basically self published her novel under fake names and representatives. And herbooks are doing well!
http://www.preethinair.com/double_life.php
To answer your question: yes, i would buy it. Hell I bought hers (wel harpercollins publishes it now) and I've bought *ahem* the ones above me's book. hehe. All great, interesting reads:)
18 comments:
depends hey
does it have pretty pictures :D
on a more serious note, MJ will buy a self published piece of work.
If it's got a great story I would buy it.
As an industry insider, I suggest finding a publisher.
It's one thing publishing your own book, it's another thing when book sellers won't take it on and you're sitting with a standard print run of 5000 books in your lounge.
Mail me if you need more info...
yes, if i liked it, i would buy it. companies and publishers mean nothing -it's the content which is important.
I'd buy it if it was on something that intrests me or had a good story line.
I would but I would tend to agree with Queen. Like any product, it needs to be marketed and presented well to sell.
Who publish's FHM..
Shit i dunno..
I still buy it every month..
I've never noticed a publisher's label on a book..
I purely look at the title.. And if its satanic, demonic and IT related. Then i'll buy it..
And anything written by Mrs Mayet as well..
The world of vanity publishing is unfortunately filled with writers with big dreams but lacking in self-awareness and honest critique. The value of a publisher I suppose is an objective pair of eyes, someone who has no need to blow smoke up your proverbial a-hole, while self-publishers have more freedom. Neither excludes the other, btw, as vanity publishing can open doors.
depends on what you want.
I think it depends... is this a last resort after being turned down by every publisher the book was submitted to? Think JK Rowling...
If the writer just decided to publish without submitting anywhere - then I'd think - dodgy or desperate.
why not?....sometimes publishers even give good writers a miss
i'd say both have their pro's and cons. first time writers should persist with finding a publisher. establish yourself. but then again, everyone is different.
I'd buy it, supposing its a good story that catches my eye.
Maybe if it has a nice cover :D
if you can afford it - and have the strategy to market and publicise it well then i would say its good. but you need to build your contact/networking list up for that to work.
and yes i would buy it..as would anyone else if they were convinced it wasnt a pile of pants, i imagine.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Part hypothesis, part potential POA, I've heard what you had to say.
hi there... sorry i missed the bloggers rendevous! in a small town like durbs i over-ambitiously figured i would make it to all the places i needed to be at. alas.
regards self-publishing...
1.im self-published.
2.i had the option of varsity presses, keeping in mind that my research was undertaken at Wits.
3. theres a difference of note between vanity and self-publishing.
Contemporary publishing initiatives like self-publishers screen the manuscript and do the nitty gritty registrations with the national library, encoding etc. what it means in effect tho, is that you maintain full control over the process from layout and design to product marketing. i would do so again. oh and its not a new and untested area. mark twain was self published along with numerous other names. theres tons of material that gets filtered through the traditional publishing eye that should make it to the bookshelves. it takes resource. initiative. and funds. bottom line. thats what makes self-publishing potentially a schlepp.
but the networks, once you engage them, are amazing. even in SA with its limited readership!
best..
shfs
Have you read Preethi Nair's story of self publishing? She basically self published her novel under fake names and representatives. And herbooks are doing well!
http://www.preethinair.com/double_life.php
To answer your question: yes, i would buy it. Hell I bought hers (wel harpercollins publishes it now) and I've bought *ahem* the ones above me's book. hehe. All great, interesting reads:)
agree with dew about shaf's phenomenal success
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