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Today we have very welcome guest post from Jenny Alexander, who continues the discussion started by Nicola Morgan and Diana Kimpton on self-publishing.
In recent posts, Nicola Morgan wrote: ‘Why I don’t want to self-publish again’ and Diana Kimpton: ‘Why I’ve switched to self-publishing’ - and both of them made points I completely agree with. I’m like the characters in the supermarket ad - ‘I like this one... but I also like this one!’ I’m just delighted that now we have a choice.
I’ve got two books in the publication process at the moment, one with a traditional publisher and one that I’m publishing myself.
The Binding will be published by A and C Black, in February 2015.
I like this one because:
- I’ve got a brilliant editor who loves the book – which is very affirming!
- I haven’t had to do anything except some light edits and help in choosing the cover.
- A team of top experts have taken care of all the design so I know it will be a top quality product.
- I’ve been paid an advance and will receive royalties.
- In an increasingly competitive market, there’s still kudos in being traditionally published.
- I won’t be completely on my own with promoting and marketing.
- My agent will be taking it to Frankfurt, seeking foreign deals.
Writing in the House of Dreams will be published by Five Lanes Press (ie me) on October 15th 2014.
I like this one because:
- I’ve had complete creative control.
- I’ve set my own publication date and chosen my own sales channels.
- I know it will stay in print for as long as I want it to'
- I’ll earn a far higher royalty on units sold'
- It’s felt completely empowering to be able to give it a chance.
Because it’s hard to get traditional publishers to take on books which don’t have mass-market appeal these days, experienced authors are increasingly turning to self-publishing for their hard-to-place and out-of-print books and therefore the self-publishing route is becoming more respectable.
Self-published authors can join professional societies such as the Society of Authors on the strength of their sales figures, and submit their books for literary prizes. Self-publishing is no longer always the second choice, and I won’t be looking for a traditional publisher for my second book about writing, When a Writer Isn’t Writing. Here’s a sneak preview of the cover.
I definitely hope to go on being traditionally published as well, but it feels a lot less difficult and soul-destroying trying to sustain a writing career in such a sales-driven market now that I know everything I write which is of publishable quality will be published, because I can do it myself.
Jenny's website is: http://writinginthehouseofdreams.com
Jenny's website is: http://writinginthehouseofdreams.com
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