It's time for ThursdayTwo Questions, when bloggers post two questions on their blogs and then link back to ThursdayTwoQuestions host, Blessing Reflections.Simple and stress free. Anythings goes.
So here are mine.
1. At The Book Deal, An Inside View of Publishing, Alan Rinzler has an article titled Literary Agents open the door to self-published writers, where he talks about a notable shift in attitude toward self-published authors. Some up-and-coming agents, he says, are "in hot pursuit of self-published books to represent to mainstream publishers." Is this good news or bad?
2. Self-publishing Are you for it or against it or neutral on the subject?
That's it.
Hope to hear from you in the comment section below.
25 comments:
Have you ever been in a Dollar Tree? Most of us have at some point. Many of the products they stock are brands I have NEVER heard of and all priced at $1. How good can they be, right? One day, I decided to take a gamble on some of these no-name brands. I was surprised to find the quality to be quite good in a some things I bought. Not all passed my standards, but I was happy that a few did.
Self-published authors are usually the no-names in the publishing industry. Some will be good writers and others will be not so good. Fortunately for literary agents and mainstream publishers, they can easily watch selling trends or popularity surges with these no-name authors to see if they are worth the gamble. Their work has been done for them at the no-name author's dollar.
With the changes in the economy and the publishing industry piping down on who they will or will not sign contracts with, then I'd say it's a wise move for them to not look down their corporate noses for quick dismal of a no-name author. Who knows, they may find a few surprises on the shelf like I did.
The things we regret most in life are the things we never do. What if I had done this or what if I had done thats will nag you to the grave. At least I will be able to say, I have no regrets for self-publishing my story, THE TALE OF OLE GREEN EYES, regardless of what may come.
Hi Cathy. I never realized that the books at the Dollar Tree were possibly self-published. I'll have to take a second look and see what I come up with. Wow. You've self published. Do you write about your experience on your blog? I'd like to know more about it.
Well, I am neutral about it.. I meant, if there is ever a chance, why not? ;)
Sometimes, for some, different steps need to be taken to reach the same goal that others had reached using the 'routine' path.. I am planning to take on the self-publishing route.. ;)
Hi Krislin. I agree, the path to publication will be different for each one of us. The world self-publishing is about to change. That's a given. My problem with self-publishing is that writers might publish too soon, before they and their manuscripts have reached their full potential.
Since I never had a published book, except once in high school where it was a young author's contest. My feelings is that it is like American Idol in books, find a great writer that is worth the mention and support that person. Give them a chance to be known and appreciated.
I am all for it, I believe that everything doesn't have to cost so much to start. But I also believe that "you get what you put in." If you put in time and effort, work hard to achieve and market yourself, you do deserve some reward and recognition. In other words, even though I think self publishing will be a lot of work on the individual, if he wants to take that route, it should be given the chance to succeed.
Thought provoking questions. Thanks for joining.
I think there are pros and cons to the industry's shift in attention on self-published/indie authors. One the one hand, it's great for those of us who are struggling for respect within the industry. We'd have many more options within the mainstream world, such as having our books carried within brick and mortar stores, getting reviewed by mainstream publications, etc.
On the other hand, if the indie movement gets swallowed up by the mainstream world, we risk losing the independence that makes us each unique. Indie authors would (eventually) be forced into conforming to the rules of mainstream publishing, which wants to create carbon copies of James Patterson and Nora Roberts.
Hi SS. I so agree with you. "You get what you put it." I would try the traditional agent route first, say 100 rejections (I'm serious), and then try the self-publishing route. Life is too short. I don't want my children or grandchildren finding my unpublished manuscripts in a box somewhere, forgotten, after all the work I've put in.
Hi Darcia. I'm hopeful that the industry finds a happy medium. So many writers are already conforming to carbon copies of popular authors, by trying to interest agents, whose business it is to pitch to publishers who are in the business of making money.
1. That is fantastic news.
2. I have published 6 books, all self published and it is hard work and very time consuming. There are so many talented authors out there who have not been noticed by traditional publishers which is a shame. Self publishing is a wonderful option for those writers.
Hi Poetic Shutterbug. Do you share about your self-publishing experiences on your blog? I'll have to stop by and find out.
I think that's good news. I have to think of doing that someday. I always write and make books to give to specific people and never thought about publishing. Self-publishing free you from the hassle of corporate and mainstream publications.
Hi Lui. If you make books to give to specific people, self-publishing would be perfect for you. And who knows what could happen after that. I heard that a Christmas story (I'm not sure of the name right now) that a man wrote for his son later went on to become a best seller.
I think self-publishing is ok, but I dont know too much about it yet! On a related note, how do you find time to read so much? I am still trying to finish a book for review that I started months ago, but every time I want to read, I fall asleep (usually cuz it's midnight!)
Thanks for your comments on Cheapskate4Life - I'm now following you.
I've read a fair amount of self-published work and I think as a reader I'm a fairly good judge of good/bad writing - although usually the editing is the bigger issue. I like taking chances on new indie writers and I like that they usually have the time and effort to discuss their work with readers/bloggers.
I think agents going after self published authors is probably a good thing as far as making money and getting publicity for the authors; but in a sense it defeats the purpose of readers taking the stand that they don't need agents and publishing houses to tell them what a good book is.
Hi Emma B. Reading and breathing are two things I do naturally and must do to stay alive. I can't make it through a day or even part of a day without reading, be it the newspaper, a blog, a book on craft, or a work of fiction. I do fall asleep when I read at night, but that's good, takes my mind off my troubles.
Hi Lisa. Yes, I believe people who self-publish must have their work edited by a professional first. I've been writing fiction for ten years and only now feel ready to submit. I hope to interest an agent, if for no other reason to get his or her professional opinion about my work. I was fortunate in getting a Publisher's Weekly Review on my most recent novel as a result of making it to the quarter finalists in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, and boy, did it teach me a lot. Every published writer I know had to do major rewriting of their work at the advice of their agents before their novels saw the light of day. One writer who is doing extremely well right now told me her agent made her rewrite more than half of her first novel (which is not the case anymore). Where else do you get that kind of help?
I think it's good news that literary agents are going for self-published writers, very good news indeed..
I'm all for self-publishing since waiting for tradition discover could take a life long..
Hello Icy BC. Seems we're at a consensus so far that literary agents going for self-published writers is a good thing. Guess in the not to distant future, we'll find out.
I see agents going after self-published authors as a good and bad thing.
Good, because it means the stigma of self-publishing is being lifted. Until I signed my book, and really started looking at the industry, I firmly believed that if your book was good enough, there was no need to self-publish.
Now that I've seen that the publishing industry is just about the commercial application and not the storytelling, I think of self-publishing as a viable outlet. Bypass the gatekeepers who just want a buck, and don't care what they're hawking. Go straight to the reader, and given them an entertaining read.
So, agents looking for the next great story amongst all the storytellers doing it themselves is a good thing.
But it's a bad thing because it means that agents are falling on hard times too, and are having to go out and find ways to make money. They're being hit hard by the publishing industry taking less debut novelists, and getting stricter about the stories they want.
A couple years ago, I was against self-publishing. Thought it was for niche writers, or vain people who didn't want to work on their story.
But now, I'm all about self-publishing. If I weren't under contract, All Hallows Blood's sequel would be self-published. None of my other novels will go to a publisher. I'll still submit short stories, because it's good for short stories, but no longer will I stress about getting a big agent or big publisher to notice me.
Because I was never in it for the money. I'm not looking to make a living off this, though I am certainly going to sell my work. But at a reasonable price, like a tip for a waitress.
Raven Corinn Carluk - author
I have talked to agents and the fees were well beyond my means. I've also watched Anne Lyken-Garner self publish and fulfill her dream and Icy published a poetry book. Icy does not talk much about hers but Anne has dedicated a blog to it and gives writers resources.
http://www.wanderingthought.com/
http://annelykengarner.blogspot.com/
Hi Raven. Unfortunately the good always comes with some bad. I believe that agents provide a great service as far as making sure the author presents the best work that she is capable of and as a savy financial mediator between the writer and the publisher. As John Steinbeck said, "You can't train for something all your life and then have it fall short because you are hurrying to get it finished." To which I add, "in a hurry to get it published." Sometimes writers still green behind the ears (like I was--and likely still am) try to publish too soon. And then, self publishing can be an embarrassment and even a career breaker. Your comment is of particular interest because you speak from the viewpoint of an agented author. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the tip, Judy. I'll check out Anne Lyken-Garner's blog as soon as I get a chance. Writer's resources are always welcome.
I think that is a forward step into the future for literary agents to go after self-publishing writers.
Depends on who is talking to me, I can either be for or against.
My brother is an unpublished author except for a article in Suspense magazine. Even he's not sure what the answer to either question would be. He said it's all politics anyway.
Hi Doan. Hi Donnie. I guess time will tell what happens with self-publishing. It is gaining momentum and is likely here to stay. At least it gives writers another option besides dropping their hard work into a drawer and obscurity.
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