I have a question about self-publishing and how it relates elsewhere.
Let's say a naive writer, starting out, is given advice by another author (with shiny-looking creds that, in retrospect, probably weren't so shiny after all) to self-publish. Let's pretend the author told the industry-newb writer that self-publishing would be an easy way to get a writing credential, and possibly 'picked up', and that they'd make more money that way anyway. Which, as we know, isn't exactly true. Happens, but only if you sell freakishly well. Which, let's face it, doesn't happen often. Summary: Newb author desperately in need of some clue cake.
Now, let's say said newb author finally managed to get some clue cake (caramel mud, mmmm), and a few shots from the Clue Gun EX4000. They have come a long way since then, not only in their writing ability but also in their know-how, and realise that taking this author's advice and allowing excitement and enthusiastic family members to run with the idea of self-publishing was a bit of a boo-boo (understatement
( ... )
This is a good question. When NewB author begins to query her well-polished work, she should NOT mention her previous errors, she should NEVER mention past mistakes because the agent will frown upon the query as coming from an amateur. According to The Rejecter, just tell agents about your novel, that's all we want to know because that's what we want to see is your writing. We can't sell credentials/past mistakes judgments, etc to editors, we can only sell them well written well polished manuscripts. Just write well, write attention-grabbing query letters and query widely and let the past remain in the past. What your prospective agent doesn't know won't hurt you. If you let them know, it WILL hurt you because you will get an auto-rejection.
Everything YOU KNOW about self publishing isn't EVERYTHING :>)
anonymous
July 20 2007, 22:46:32 UTC
Ouch. Run out of zoloft without warning? Your Reasons "To" 1,3-4 =valid. Reason 2=lame. VAST majority of s-p books ARE tripe, but nice money/sales are being done...by quite a few too wise to clue in the 99% still whining about lack of pub-love.
Your "Pro" Big Sorry. Lulu isn't the cheapest (and s-p's making nicest money don't waste it there). Your "Con" Poor Mark Twain. Bastard went to his grave never knowing he wasn't an "ACTUAL PUBLISHED" author. Only vulture publishers charge Twice as much (and more), but only suckers shell out a grand to get self published or pay $5 for a .50-$1 book binding task. HG L.A.
Comments 3
Let's say a naive writer, starting out, is given advice by another author (with shiny-looking creds that, in retrospect, probably weren't so shiny after all) to self-publish. Let's pretend the author told the industry-newb writer that self-publishing would be an easy way to get a writing credential, and possibly 'picked up', and that they'd make more money that way anyway. Which, as we know, isn't exactly true. Happens, but only if you sell freakishly well. Which, let's face it, doesn't happen often. Summary: Newb author desperately in need of some clue cake.
Now, let's say said newb author finally managed to get some clue cake (caramel mud, mmmm), and a few shots from the Clue Gun EX4000. They have come a long way since then, not only in their writing ability but also in their know-how, and realise that taking this author's advice and allowing excitement and enthusiastic family members to run with the idea of self-publishing was a bit of a boo-boo (understatement ( ... )
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Your Reasons "To" 1,3-4 =valid. Reason 2=lame. VAST majority of s-p books ARE tripe, but nice money/sales are being done...by quite a few too wise to clue in the 99% still whining about lack of pub-love.
Your "Pro" Big Sorry. Lulu isn't the cheapest (and s-p's making
nicest money don't waste it there).
Your "Con" Poor Mark Twain. Bastard went to his grave never knowing
he wasn't an "ACTUAL PUBLISHED" author.
Only vulture publishers charge Twice as much (and more), but only suckers shell out a grand to get self published or pay $5 for a .50-$1 book binding task.
HG
L.A.
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