I 'm a trad author who got the rights back to my backlist and published them myself. I was shocked by how much money I made. When I suggested to a literary author friend that he do the same with his backlist, he acted insulted, but I think attitudes are changing. I've been around for over 20 years and have seen a lot of upheaval in publishing, but nothing like what's happening now. When I was launched, I got tours and co-op and full-page ads in USA Today. Now that is happening very rarely and if you're a midlister, it's hard to see what publishers can offer you that you can't mostly do for yourself. Mostly it depends on your goals of course. I enjoy that people are now discovering books that are 20 years old and that every month money is deposited in my account, and there's no murkiness about the accounting. I enjoy re-branding books when sales dip. I care less about being in Barnes and Noble or hoping that one of the remaining outlets will review me.
I love this. I also got the rights back to my trad novels and republished with new covers and titles. Re-branding can be a lot of fun. I could not agree more that the path you choose depends on your goals.
I am one of those literary writers who has written multiple literary novels and seems to be waiting and waiting for the one that will be published. My first three were represented by agents and were rejected for various reasons despite all of the glowing feedback. They are in drawers. My fourth novel which is more recent is on submission now to literary agents after my long-term agent said she just couldn’t sell it because it is partly speculative and partly literary (think Cloud Atlas). Also it’s quite big. 😨
I do think that I have been stubborn in refusing self publishing routes partly out of a desire for industry approval, partly due to the challenges of routes to market when self publishing, and partly because I just simply had time to wait and write and wait.
Now I am 50 and I have to say, there are people in my life who are sick, people who are dying, and I am beginning to reassess my stance and think well, I don’t really know how much time I have, and maybe it’s better to throw myself into self publishing and see my novel published in my lifetime then to continue to wait and wait and wait. The jury is currently out but I think I will attend this webinar thanks!
Thanks for the mention, Leigh—and I love this. Agree with you 100% on the vibe shifts and we're living in an exciting time for writers and authors. Congrats on your new book, and what timing!!! Very happy for you.
“Most readers don’t notice or care who published the book as long as it’s in an attractive package and delivers a satisfying story.”
Just so. Sometimes, maybe many times, the gatekeepers are wrong. But other times, they are sending an accurate signal to the author that the story is in fact unsatisfying. Self-publishing can obviously work and be generously rewarding, but I regret self-publishing my first novel. I wish I had drawered it and written the next one. My impression reading self-published books is that many authors turn to self-publishing out of impatience, not injustice at the hands of the gatekeepers.
Thanks Jefferson, I appreciate you sharing this perspective! I think you're right that many rejections from a publisher can be an indication that there's not a market for the book; an author could take that information and shelve the book and write the next one. Or if the author believes there IS a market (and the publishers are wrong) they can prove there is one by doing all the work Libby does around branding, marketing, etc.
Great point--I totally agree that some authors self-publish out of impatience, and that's not the best reason. I have at least five "drawer novels" that will never be published, then traditionally published my first four books before I started self-publishing. Publishing is not a great pursuit for impatient people--self-publishing well also takes (a lot of) time.
“In the literary community, it’s more of a badge of honor to talk about the seven books you couldn’t sell than to talk about the one book you self-published.”
This sentence hit every nerve and funny (not-so-funny) bone in my body.
As someone who’s worked in traditional publishing and hybrid publishing and has supported self-publishing efforts, I’m very much looking forward to the continuing destigmatization of self-publishing.
In my opinion: it’s all about finding right fit for you and your book to reach your ideal audience. That’s who these stories are ultimately published for, right?
I'm self publishing my second book in September and I don't regret it. Having control over my memoir and telling my story the easy I wanted to tell it means a lot to me. And I didn't do it alone. I had the help of a great editor and a beta team that helped me transform the book.
Thanks, Leigh, for great information and confirmation. Good riddance to mind-sets that are snobby, not inclusive and clubby- needing to be owned by a publisher for your book and ego to be validated!
Hello to solopreneurs who want to own their work and make a living- what a concept! Hurray!
I would like to mention authors/artists like Jake Parker and Will Terry that not only have had work published by a big one like Scholastic, but they also have had their own projects run on Kickstarter.
There are many tools and opportunities available out there, thank you for your insight into this
I'm so glad that the stigma against self-publishing has been waning. A friend of mine recently self-published a science-fiction murder mystery, and I chatted with him a bit about the benefits of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing; he seemed baffled that anyone would go the traditional publishing route when self-publishing was just so much *faster.* Also helps that printing on-demand exists now, so a self-published author isn't stuck with boxes of unsold books in the trunk of their car.
Also, mazel tov on the Nick Hornby mention (!!!!!!!!!!)
just last night at a party someone couldn’t believe how long I have to wait for my novel to come out (a little over a year). I was like no, this is FAST 😂
Thanks for the warm introduction, Leigh! I love the title of this week's post. Self-publishing needs to be destigmatized and also demystified, which is why I love talking about it so much. Not every project should be self-published, but you can't make that call unless you have information. Authors now have access to so many amazing tools that if you really believe your project has an audience (even if it's a tiny one), then self-publishing can be really viable. I can't wait for our class!
It’s reassuring to read the Vanity Fair piece and see she spent a ton of money to buy followers on Instagram back when that had a good ROI. That made everything else possible. Without a sizable platform, indie publishing can be so financially risky. (Well, ok, all of it’s financially risky.)
It's mind-bending to think about: she bought followers, which was a kind of social proof that made other people follow her, then she LOST tons of followers when everyone turned on her and saw her as a scammer, and still she managed to reclaim "scammer" identity and sell thousands of books
I 'm a trad author who got the rights back to my backlist and published them myself. I was shocked by how much money I made. When I suggested to a literary author friend that he do the same with his backlist, he acted insulted, but I think attitudes are changing. I've been around for over 20 years and have seen a lot of upheaval in publishing, but nothing like what's happening now. When I was launched, I got tours and co-op and full-page ads in USA Today. Now that is happening very rarely and if you're a midlister, it's hard to see what publishers can offer you that you can't mostly do for yourself. Mostly it depends on your goals of course. I enjoy that people are now discovering books that are 20 years old and that every month money is deposited in my account, and there's no murkiness about the accounting. I enjoy re-branding books when sales dip. I care less about being in Barnes and Noble or hoping that one of the remaining outlets will review me.
wow! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love this. I also got the rights back to my trad novels and republished with new covers and titles. Re-branding can be a lot of fun. I could not agree more that the path you choose depends on your goals.
It is fun. I'm having a blast.
thank you for sharing your journey to self publishing !
I am one of those literary writers who has written multiple literary novels and seems to be waiting and waiting for the one that will be published. My first three were represented by agents and were rejected for various reasons despite all of the glowing feedback. They are in drawers. My fourth novel which is more recent is on submission now to literary agents after my long-term agent said she just couldn’t sell it because it is partly speculative and partly literary (think Cloud Atlas). Also it’s quite big. 😨
I do think that I have been stubborn in refusing self publishing routes partly out of a desire for industry approval, partly due to the challenges of routes to market when self publishing, and partly because I just simply had time to wait and write and wait.
Now I am 50 and I have to say, there are people in my life who are sick, people who are dying, and I am beginning to reassess my stance and think well, I don’t really know how much time I have, and maybe it’s better to throw myself into self publishing and see my novel published in my lifetime then to continue to wait and wait and wait. The jury is currently out but I think I will attend this webinar thanks!
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m sure a lot of writers can relate to this trajectory (and your persistence!)
Can’t wait for the Libby class! Congratulations on everything, Leigh!
Hi! On the class with Libby, will it be recorded and accessible later? Not sure I can make it live. Thanks!
Yes it will! I just updated the website description: it will be recorded and the recording will be available to watch for 30 days
Thanks for the mention, Leigh—and I love this. Agree with you 100% on the vibe shifts and we're living in an exciting time for writers and authors. Congrats on your new book, and what timing!!! Very happy for you.
thanks so much Brooke! your framing as “greenlighting” has always stuck with me
“Most readers don’t notice or care who published the book as long as it’s in an attractive package and delivers a satisfying story.”
Just so. Sometimes, maybe many times, the gatekeepers are wrong. But other times, they are sending an accurate signal to the author that the story is in fact unsatisfying. Self-publishing can obviously work and be generously rewarding, but I regret self-publishing my first novel. I wish I had drawered it and written the next one. My impression reading self-published books is that many authors turn to self-publishing out of impatience, not injustice at the hands of the gatekeepers.
Thanks Jefferson, I appreciate you sharing this perspective! I think you're right that many rejections from a publisher can be an indication that there's not a market for the book; an author could take that information and shelve the book and write the next one. Or if the author believes there IS a market (and the publishers are wrong) they can prove there is one by doing all the work Libby does around branding, marketing, etc.
Great point--I totally agree that some authors self-publish out of impatience, and that's not the best reason. I have at least five "drawer novels" that will never be published, then traditionally published my first four books before I started self-publishing. Publishing is not a great pursuit for impatient people--self-publishing well also takes (a lot of) time.
“In the literary community, it’s more of a badge of honor to talk about the seven books you couldn’t sell than to talk about the one book you self-published.”
This sentence hit every nerve and funny (not-so-funny) bone in my body.
As someone who’s worked in traditional publishing and hybrid publishing and has supported self-publishing efforts, I’m very much looking forward to the continuing destigmatization of self-publishing.
In my opinion: it’s all about finding right fit for you and your book to reach your ideal audience. That’s who these stories are ultimately published for, right?
well said!
Such a thoughtful post on an evolving industry.
Congrats on the shout-out from Nick Hornsby! Well deserved.
thanks Melanie!
I cannot get enough content on creative ways for writers to make real money - and have real control. keep 'em coming!
I'm self publishing my second book in September and I don't regret it. Having control over my memoir and telling my story the easy I wanted to tell it means a lot to me. And I didn't do it alone. I had the help of a great editor and a beta team that helped me transform the book.
Great information! So many things to consider as I get closer to self publishing my book this fall.
Thanks, Leigh, for great information and confirmation. Good riddance to mind-sets that are snobby, not inclusive and clubby- needing to be owned by a publisher for your book and ego to be validated!
Hello to solopreneurs who want to own their work and make a living- what a concept! Hurray!
Thank you for the great piece
I would like to mention authors/artists like Jake Parker and Will Terry that not only have had work published by a big one like Scholastic, but they also have had their own projects run on Kickstarter.
There are many tools and opportunities available out there, thank you for your insight into this
great examples!
I'm so glad that the stigma against self-publishing has been waning. A friend of mine recently self-published a science-fiction murder mystery, and I chatted with him a bit about the benefits of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing; he seemed baffled that anyone would go the traditional publishing route when self-publishing was just so much *faster.* Also helps that printing on-demand exists now, so a self-published author isn't stuck with boxes of unsold books in the trunk of their car.
Also, mazel tov on the Nick Hornby mention (!!!!!!!!!!)
just last night at a party someone couldn’t believe how long I have to wait for my novel to come out (a little over a year). I was like no, this is FAST 😂
Thanks for the warm introduction, Leigh! I love the title of this week's post. Self-publishing needs to be destigmatized and also demystified, which is why I love talking about it so much. Not every project should be self-published, but you can't make that call unless you have information. Authors now have access to so many amazing tools that if you really believe your project has an audience (even if it's a tiny one), then self-publishing can be really viable. I can't wait for our class!
can’t wait!!
It’s reassuring to read the Vanity Fair piece and see she spent a ton of money to buy followers on Instagram back when that had a good ROI. That made everything else possible. Without a sizable platform, indie publishing can be so financially risky. (Well, ok, all of it’s financially risky.)
It's mind-bending to think about: she bought followers, which was a kind of social proof that made other people follow her, then she LOST tons of followers when everyone turned on her and saw her as a scammer, and still she managed to reclaim "scammer" identity and sell thousands of books