A client and friend is near completing the rough draft of her project. Rather than jump in and write the end, she moans about all the work still left to be done to finish and then in the rewriting (I’ll include another one or two or three or more of those — and rewriting), and then all that comes after that.
Early-on she decided when the book is finished, she wants to self-publish. Now that I am going the traditional route after having self-published my first book, she asked me my opinion.
I share with you here what I shared with her. The following is based on first-hand experience having:
1) self-published Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple,my first book, and on what I have observed of clients and friends who have gone that route
2) having been invited into the traditional realm and now, working with Adam’s Media a traditional, east coast publisher who will release The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (which is now available for pre-order!) this October and on what I have observed of clients and friends who have been published by a traditional publisher
Comparison:
Self-publishing: the book can be written and published in a day.
Traditional publishing: the process takes longer
Self-publishing: you make all the choices about content
Traditional publishing: you work in partnership with an editor who keeps in mind the publisher’s style
Self-publishing: you make all the choices about the layout and the cover design
(This is only as far as I am in the process with Adam’s Media so the rest of my points are based solely on what I have gleaned through friends and family and clients who have been published through the traditional route)
Traditional: a team approach where your choices are based on a contractual agreement and respect
Self-publishing: you make all the choices about printing and distribution
Traditional publishing: this is your time to begin writing your next book
Self-publishing: you send out review copies
Traditional publishing: this is your time to fully walk into you part of the promotional, marketing and pr for the book
Self-publishing: you incur all the costs up front
Traditional publishing: you pay no expenses
Self-publishing: you earn all the profits
Traditional publishing: you earn royalties based on a contractual agreement
For my client: The sudden idea to perhaps query agents instead of self-publishing her book as she has had planned all along is simply another form of procrastination and sure to yank her off course.Â
I like your suggestions here a lot. The comparison is very helpful. And I agree with you, the important thing for your friend here is to FINISH!
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
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Or why not do both? In the digital age, there is no reason the writer cannot self publish through a company like Amazon, Barnes and Noble or even the iBook store. While doing this, the writer can send their manuscript to publishers all over the country.
The exposure wouldn't hurt either.
I am not sure what Jason said is a good idea, but I agree with you that nothing can be done until you have FINISHED the book.
Thanks for your comment, Sarah. The most important thing for me going the traditional route after having gone the independent route for BBP is to see the fulfillment of the Plot Whisperer book as a collaboration — a team approach.
Liking it a lot so far!!
Wow! What a comparison. I've never laid the two publishing options side by side like that. Thanks for doing the leg work. You've given me a lot to think about…
Hi Emily, I think a lot of it comes down to how much control you want/need. Self-publishing you're completely in charge. Traditional publishing it's a collaboration. I recommend doing it both ways. Self-publishing opens a writer's eyes to all the details that are going on behind the scenes when she goes the traditional route.
Thanks for your comments Jason. Only caveat to what you say is that the book you self-publish must go viral or at least sell in volumes and the writer able to display her / his "platform" and fan base in order to wow those publishers all over the country…
Hi Pen and Ink — amazing how many writers come up with all sorts of excuses not to finish and yet continue to hold the goal, intention, dream of publishing… An example of a false belief (the excuses) acting as an antagonist preventing a writer from achieving her goals…