Comments on: The Searing Scarlet “V” of Vanity Publishing

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:17:52 +0000

Amen to this post. I used a vanity publisher because they did the print ready file for me. I sent a word doc with intstrucitons. The book turned out exactly as I had envisioned it. I have been marketing like crazy and if you google me (Barbara Barth, writerwithdogs, The Unfaithful Widow) you can see how my hard work has paid off. I am a very much alive on the internet, but bookshops in the Atlanta area won't touch a book that is not through a traditional publisher. I have had excellent reviews on my blog tour. It is time for the industry to change it's prejudice. Thanks for a great write. Barbara

By: Publishing Books

Publishing Books — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:16:21 +0000

As it absolutely was previously stated, not being organized, when trying to get a book revealed, can have a number of consequences. One of these consequences is that you could mistakenly send your documents to the same publisher twice. This has the potential to be very embarrassing and you will conjointly, unintentionally, produce a bad name for yourself. If a book publisher sends you a rejection letter, you are doing not wish to resend them your book, particularly if you didn’t build any changes.Since it’s vital for you to make a book publishing system, you’ll be curious on how you can go about doing so. The nice news is that you are doing have a variety of different options. For starters, it is necessary to 1st know what data you should embrace on your documents. You wish to grasp what publishers you have submitted your manuscript to. You must also embrace the date that your information was sent out. Next, be positive to have a spot for responses from those publishers. Did you receive a rejection letter, a call for participation for a gathering or more information? Conjointly, record the date of this information.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:53:19 +0000

John,

You ask a good question and there isn’t an easy answer. The truth is, it depends. There are plenty of wolves and knaves in the publishing arena. Always keep in mind what your father probably told you, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

There is an excellent article on the differences between publishing methods published by SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/vanity/. They do a good job in helping steer authors out of trouble.

By: Audrey RL Wyatt

Audrey RL Wyatt — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:47:35 +0000

Having read several of your posts now, I find your POV refreshing – and rare. It’s amazing, yet not surprising, how traditional publishing is digging in to stave off the future. But there’s no doubt publishing is changing and if they don’t adapt they’ll become relics.

I am a founding member of an organization called LitSisters. We are INDIE-authors, a term we like much better than the long-derided “self-published,” and will be offering loads of information and networking in the coming months to help other writers who want to take control of their destiny. Feel free to check us out at http://www.litsisters.com. We are new and will be adding lots of content in the new year.

By: John Kovacich

John Kovacich — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:52:17 +0000

Your article states that self-publishing is not the same as vanity publishing. What about joint venture? I have a publishing company offering me a JV claiming that after 1000 books are sold it would convert to a traditional publishing contract, as would any further novels. Are some JV’s legitimate? Should I take a closer look at an offer like this? Or are all JV’s just vanity contracts in disguise?

By: traditionally published

traditionally published — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:04:00 +0000

According to Publisher’s Weekly, The Mystery Writers of America has removed all Harlequin imprints from its list of approved publishers as a direct result of the company’s decision to align itself with self-publishing.

By: Carolyn Jones

Carolyn Jones — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:00:17 +0000

Hello, Bill,

Thanks for this article. As an author embarking upon the self-publishing journey, it was nice to get the distinction about vanity and self publishing. Why do people care so much about what others are doing? Why don’t they just mind their own business, moving forward on their own path while allowing others to follow on theirs?

Thank you for saying a self-published author has courage. That gives me continued courage to move forward.

Carolyn
http://www.gatesoftheheart.com

By: Charlotte Mielziner

Charlotte Mielziner — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:59:09 +0000

As usual Bill, you made an excellent point. Self publishers are still considered a poor cousin to traditional publishers. My only complaint on the number of self-published books I’ve been sent to review is that some lack the professionalism of traditional publishing. I’ve seen children’s books that have too advanced of vocabulary for emerging readers, or too childish of topic for middle schoolers and poor artwork or cover design. Bear in mind, some have been wonderful.

This is where the Little Red Hen enters. We can partner to produce books that Random House, Simon and Shuster and the rest wish they’d found in their slush pile. It could be done in less time and cost and hence, more for the writer to use in marketing.

The SP stigma will take a tremendous effort to change even a few percent of the instant bias out there. I wish us all luck.

By: Maxine Thompson

Maxine Thompson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:35:44 +0000

I started out self-published in 1995 when I couldn’t get a book deal. I did two novels, a short story collection, and some ebooks. Later, in 2007 I had three anthologies published by other companies to build my platform and cross promote with other writers.

The second novel, renamed Hostage of Lies, and re-edited and published by a New York Publisher, Urban books, on 12-1-09–12 years later– has been picked up by Black Expressions Book Club. Self-publishing has taught me how to be self-employed and independent. I’m a literary agent, an editor, a ghostwriter, and freelance writer. I’ve been doing Internet radio for the past going on eight years. This has helped open doors and promote other writers.

Self-publishing helps you to know how to promote your book if you get a book deal with another publisher.

This is a marathon, not a race.

By: Pearl

Pearl — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:24:58 +0000

Hello Bill. I’m the author of two novels and the webmaster of http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/index.html.

I came across your blog site after reading an article on LinkedIn that I liked. You have a lot of good articles about self publishing, and so I linked to you at the bottom of this page: http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/self-publishing-books.html

I’ve created a permanent link to this page from my web site, and I wonder if you might like to take a look? If you like what you see, and can recommend my site as a place for self-publishing writers to get solid writing advice, I will appreciate a return link. I’m linking to you, regardless, so there are no strings; I’m just someone who could use the extra plug.

Best wishes,
Pearl Luke