NF Some thoughts on self-publishing

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I had a reader question my descriptions based on their experience watching '24' and Tom Cruise movies.

This happens with nonfiction too. Most of the public have no idea what espionage or criminal investigations are actually like in reality, but they have very strong expectations shaped by a lot of television.

 

[A. Roy]

So, I've gone from agents excited about the story, to researching university presses and small independent presses. I haven't given up on agents yet, but I'm danged close. I have a friend who published one CW novel that's doing well for her small publishing company and she wants it. There are doors open, but it's depressing to read your story and know what I have ahead of me.

Fiction can be a tough business, whether it's for the author, the agent, or the publisher. Agents and publishers know that blockbusters are very few, and that even a break-even book can be hard to achieve. So they have to think very carefully before taking on an author, even if they like the book.

Are you saying that your small-publishing friend wants to take on your book? That could be worth it for you, as it gives you a partner who can get the design and printing done, and who has access to distribution channels. As far as marketing, even agents and large publishers are going to expect you to be a self-marketer. That just goes with the territory these days.

As far as going the independent route (I use the term independent publishing, rather than self-publishing), many authors have been successful that way. You just have to be prepared to handle all costs yourself -- editing, design, setting up distribution channels, advertising costs, and so on. On the positive side, your royalty percentage is a whole lot larger! Another positive is that publishing independently might give you an opportunity to engage more closely with your readers.

I'm sure you've done the research to find out how to develop and market your book, but I do know of a good fiction editor, and a marketing person who has developed a useful strategy for building an author's marketing platform. If those things are of interest, you can private-message me.

Anyway, sounds like a great project. And I agree you shouldn't worry about being on the "right side." I assume you're telling a story, not promoting an ideology.

Roy B.

 

[JulieWeathers]

This happens with nonfiction too. Most of the public have no idea what espionage or criminal investigations are actually like in reality, but they have very strong expectations shaped by a lot of television.

Agreed. I don't read most western or western romance novels because I end up wanting to choke someone out. Years ago, a lady from OK wrote a western mystery about a cutting horse trainer who was murdered. On the cover was a man lying under a cactus with pants tucked in the most gawd awful yellow boots with all the dudey inlay designs. She said in an interview, "No self-respecting cutter would be caught dead in those boots. Well, I guess mine was, but I cried over that cover." I almost didn't buy the book because of it, but did and enjoyed it after I tore the cover off.

Kari Lynn Dell was one of the few western romance authors I trusted, but she was not only very talented, but also a rancher and champion cowgirl, so her books were authentic.

So it goes with crime fiction or historical. It's tough to find that sweet spot and even when you do, people don't believe it because...Hollywood.

 

[JulieWeathers]

Fiction can be a tough business, whether it's for the author, the agent, or the publisher. Agents and publishers know that blockbusters are very few, and that even a break-even book can be hard to achieve. So they have to think very carefully before taking on an author, even if they like the book.

Are you saying that your small-publishing friend wants to take on your book? That could be worth it for you, as it gives you a partner who can get the design and printing done, and who has access to distribution channels. As far as marketing, even agents and large publishers are going to expect you to be a self-marketer. That just goes with the territory these days.

As far as going the independent route (I use the term independent publishing, rather than self-publishing), many authors have been successful that way. You just have to be prepared to handle all costs yourself -- editing, design, setting up distribution channels, advertising costs, and so on. On the positive side, your royalty percentage is a whole lot larger! Another positive is that publishing independently might give you an opportunity to engage more closely with your readers.

I'm sure you've done the research to find out how to develop and market your book, but I do know of a good fiction editor, and a marketing person who has developed a useful strategy for building an author's marketing platform. If those things are of interest, you can private-message me.

Anyway, sounds like a great project. And I agree you shouldn't worry about being on the "right side." I assume you're telling a story, not promoting an ideology.

Roy B.

Roy,

Are you saying that your small-publishing friend wants to take on your book? That could be worth it for you, as it gives you a partner who can get the design and printing done, and who has access to distribution channels.

Yes, she published

Without Warning: The Saga of Gettysburg, A Reluctant Union Hero, and the Men He Inspired

by Terry Price and did a good job on it, I think.

I wouldn't begin to attempt this myself. We redesigned my website after it got hacked and I need to get back to blogging and rebuild my platform. Maybe after I get things shuffled around a bit more, I'll see if anyone here has suggestions on that. I like the story and want to give it a genuine shot. But then what mother doesn't like their child?

Thank you for responding.

Julie