{"id":439,"date":"2009-04-07T17:14:06","date_gmt":"2009-04-07T21:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wizardwalk.com\/newblather\/?p=439"},"modified":"2009-04-07T17:15:50","modified_gmt":"2009-04-07T21:15:50","slug":"self-publishing-is-stupid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wizardwalk.com\/newblather\/?p=439","title":{"rendered":"Self publishing is stupid"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was reading the following article on CNN.com: More authors turn to Web and print-on-demand publishing<\/a>.\u00a0 The article stated:<\/p>\n

When she was turned down by several traditional publishing houses, Genova decided to follow a different route: self-publishing via Web-based companies<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

Turning to the Author Solutions self-publishing brand, iUniverse, Genova published her book for $450, a cost that included an ISBN — the International Standard Book Number that uniquely identifies books — and the ability to sell on Amazon.com.<\/p>\n

Months later, after receiving positive reviews … and a favorable review in the Boston Globe, Genova’s book was picked up by Simon & Schuster and is in its 12th week on The New York Times Bestsellers List.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"There are probably a few other success stories like these, where an author self-publishes a book, then it gets really<\/em> published, and the authors sells a lot more.\u00a0 But I’m sure it’s rare, probably more rare than just having your manuscript accepted by a traditional publisher in the first place.<\/p>\n

So, no, self-publishing isn’t really stupid… what can be stupid is what people might expect it to do for them.\u00a0 Despite the allure of the success stories, you’re probably not <\/em>going to sell very many books to strangers.\u00a0 (I imagine it’s much easier to sell to friends and family, who’s interest in reading your fiction would come more from knowing you.)\u00a0 You’re not<\/em> going to get it picked up by a traditional publishing house.\u00a0 It’s not<\/em> going to get a slew of good reviews from strangers.\u00a0 It’s not<\/em> going to make you rich.\u00a0 (In fact, even getting a book published the old-fashioned way probably won’t make you rich either.)\u00a0 Don’t expect these things.\u00a0 And don’t say you don’t expect them while secretly expecting them.<\/p>\n

I think it’s wonderful that print-on-demand gives everyone the opportunity to at least try<\/em> getting their rejected material out there.\u00a0 It’s nice to have that back door and to not have to completely depend on some editors’ or agents’ opinions.\u00a0 But it’s stupid<\/em> when writers put all their eggs in one basket, when they put all their dreams in one book.\u00a0 Don’t expect your first novel to get traditionally published.\u00a0 Or your second.\u00a0 Or your third.\u00a0 While you’re trying to sell one, get started on another and just keep going.<\/p>\n

Another thing that bothers me is how some people market themselves (like following me on Twitter).\u00a0 In general, here’s what books I buy:<\/p>\n