Of the top ten words I’d use to describe myself, obstinant ranks right at the very top. I don’t let other people tell me what I can and cannot do. The more someone says I can’t do something or I’m kidding myself, the more intent I am on doing it. Simply because someone said that I couldn’t.
Don’t tell me who I am.
Lately the debate continues to rage over whether or not a self-published author is “real.” This debate doesn’t really happen among readers (who are literally the only people who should ever ultimately matter to a writer.) This debate happens among writers. And mostly between self-published writers and unpublished writers. See, it’s not enough that we call ourselves “self-published authors.” It seems very very important to many people to remind us that we aren’t really published.
Um, alright.
So my book is imaginary? The sales I’ve made were pretend? The fan letters were from fake fans who exist only inside my crazy addled brain? Is that it?
I admit to being very confused by a writer who considers themselves “better” by virtue of the fact that they are “not self-publishing.” I’m not even talking about necessarily a writer with a NY publishing contract who thinks they’re better, I’m talking about an unpublished writer who feels it’s better for their work to languish under their bed where it cannot inform or entertain anybody, rather than to commit the horrible and apparently gullible and naive crime of self-publishing.
Could there be anything more evil? I’m beginning to believe rape and murder are considered equal crimes to self-publishing in the eyes of some. Else why would so much mental real estate be taken up arguing the issue?
My question is… Why the hell are you so concerned with what I’m doing? If it doesn’t affect you, if it doesn’t threaten you, be glad I’m not your competition. Because writing is highly competitive. And as “nice” and giving as we can be on the surface, there is still a lot of ugliness that runs underneath the surface of smiles and congratulations for many.
But it seems to be almost a favorite past time of many unpubbed authors to rag on self-pubbed authors and remind them endlessly that they aren’t really published. What is the point?
I think we have very much lost sight of what matters. The ONLY thing that matters is the readers/fans. That is it. Money is nice, but people have already stated even within the hallowed gates of NY publishing, the money isn’t that great for most writers. You do it for love before you do it for money. And if you do it for money, quit now. If the most important thing to you is the “validation” of an outside publisher publishing you, then by what definition of the word “vanity” are you less vain than I?
The readers are what matter. Entertaining or informing them is what counts at the end of the day. And I’m sorry, but I refuse to wait for “permission” from an industry that rarely produces much work of earth shattering value, to stand between me and my readers. I’m willing to do the work, I’m willing to be patient. I’m willing to let building a fan base take as long as it takes.
There is a very big part of me that would almost like to self publish indefinitely. Even if I succeeded to a point where a trad publisher came calling. There is a big part of me, that wants to just keep doing my own thing forever. Build my reader base, make my money, and let those who don’t like it gnash their teeth in frustration over it.
Because the second I succeeded to the point that I could take a deal, I would never cease hearing about how “Well yeah, but Zoe Winters got a “real” publishing contract in the end, so she still wasn’t legit before then.” My success would be a hammer to beat other self-pubbing authors with. An idea that just pisses me off.
Indie authors all self-publish for their own personal reasons. There is no one borg-like mentality among us. No matter how many strawman arguments or stereotypes you throw out there, it still doesn’t amount to much reality. So if you want to trad pub, fabulous. I’ll never say you’re “lesser” for it, kindly offer me the same respect. What self-publishing authors do is hard and is worthy of respect when done right.
Right now I want no part of the “real published authors club.” Sorry.
July 1, 2009 at 6:06 am
Hey, Zoe. I’m pretty obstinant too
I even wrote a song once called, “Don’t Rain on My Parade”. Nothing fires me up quicker than someone telling me there’s no way I can achieve something. My approach is to tell them either support me and help me get there or get out of my way! There are so many people who are willing to pull you down to their level. There are only a few who have the guts to step outside the status-quo and aim high. Good on you for sticking to your guns. Nothing but respect coming your way from over here in Aus. 
July 1, 2009 at 6:29 am
Hey Karen!
And I’m not trying to be poor put-upon Zoe like it’s “personal.” It’s a general attitude toward ANYONE who self publishes. It seems to be all about the generalities for some people. They just want to characterize “anyone who self-publishes” as being a certain way or not being a real this or that, and it’s just tired.
July 1, 2009 at 8:31 am
Zoe,
One of the things we’ve heard from J.A. Konrath and others many times is that the basic requirements for getting traditionally published look something like this:
Step 1: Write a good book (I don’t say ‘great’ since many of the traditionally published books are not).
Step 2: Re-write it until you can’t make it any better.
Step 3: Write a killer query letter and send it out to the appropriate agents.
Step 4: GET LUCKY!
In comparison, to be self-published:
Step 1: (Same as above).
Step 2: (Same as above).
Step 3: (Skip the above).
Step 4: (Don’t need the above).
Step 5: Fix all the typos and other errors or hire someone to do it.
Step 6: Create the cover or hire someone to do it.
Step 7: Set up the book for sales at the Kindle Store and/or carefully format your book and use LSI or CreateSpace to make your it available in paperback.
Additional step (if you actually want to SELL your book):
Step 8: Set up a great website/blog where you can promote your book, giving away excerpts or the entire book. (Actually setting up a website should have been Step 1).
Step 9: Take advantage of every no-cost opportunity to promote your book.
In all fairness, the traditionally published author needs to do the promotional steps too.
But what is the main difference? LUCK.
So, if you want to be traditionally published, not only do you have to write a good book—you’ve got to depend on LUCK.
No, thanks. I’d rather depend on MYSELF.
There is a vetting process in traditional publishing and it is an accomplishment to survive that process. But what about those books that didn’t survive the process? Were they eliminated because they weren’t good enough or because of bad luck?
Perhaps the perfect agent for your book had a headache the day she read your query. Or your book is great, but not what publishers are looking for right now. Whatever.
I have no problem with authors taking pride in being traditionally published. I’m happy for them.
But they should keep in mind that no matter how good their book is—part of the reason for their publishing success is PURE LUCK.
July 1, 2009 at 9:43 am
Hey Robert, I’m not fond of games of chance. I’d rather have more control over my ability to succeed. It might take longer, but if my writing “can” connect with an audience and I can learn how to “find” that audience, then I can have my audience without having to make it through a literary lottery.
I dunno, this feels like the Protestant reformation. In Catholicism you had to have an intermediary… a priest to get to God. But the protestant reformation had the radical idea that you didn’t need an intermediary. And of course there was a lot of killing over that.
At least trad publishing people aren’t killing us, LOL. But it feels like a more low-key Protestant reformation because trad publishing believes you need the intermediary and self publishing doesn’t.
July 1, 2009 at 9:44 am
And of course in publishing it’s an intermediary to your readers.
July 1, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Hi Zoe:
What an interesting, thought provoking blog! I went with POD publishing because, first and foremost, I wanted to leave a lasting legacy for my daughter after I’m long gone.
Funny thing is, at a writers conference I overheard two young, aspiring writers talking about the evils of self-publishing and how they would never stoop so low and resort to this. Apparently, they wanted to be credible and only a traditional publishing company would do!
The interesting thing with self-publishing is that my books took on a life of their own. By word of mouth, news of my books got around. It ended up in the hands of a reporter who loves fantasies and went on to write a feature article about it.
It made its way into the libraries where yes, it is regularly borrowed and read, circulating through the system. (I even received a nice cheque from the Public Lending Commission for the books being borrowed out from the libraries!)
It must be by word of mouth that readers are recommending my novels to others as they are being signed out and read. How else would they know about the Imago series? Now, I have a growing fan base waiting for the next adventure.
An appearance I made on MTV caught the attention of a movie producer who bought my books and loved the stories. It was enough for her to approach me to option the rights for a movie trilogy.
Yes, luck has very much to do with being published by a traditional publishing co., but I can’t help but think of how many truly exceptional stories are left to collect dust, never to be shared because the author is waiting for that break (that may never come).
I am a self-published authors with a loyal, wonderful following. They wait for my next adventure, show up at readings and signing. I’ve heard them laugh aloud and shed tears as I set my characters out on epic adventures. Most of all, my daughter will benefit from my stories in the years to come.
As far as I’m concerned, I may never be picked up by a traditional publishing co., but if I do, they’ll benefit from an existing fan base. In the meantime, I get great pleasure in my readers telling me how they laughed and cried through my stories. I’m good with that!
You just keep right on writing, Zoe!
July 1, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Hey Lorna, thanks for sharing your story! Very cool to hear!
July 5, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Did you ever know that you’re my hero? You’re everything I’d like to be.
Seriously, I love your informed defiance. It reflects how I feel much better than I could express in my own words.
The more I study the two approaches for my own first book (a research-and-interview-intensive nonfiction book coming sometime next year, I hope), the less I believe mainstream publishing can deliver money or readers for me.
July 5, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Hi Jim, thanks! Yeah, I just really want to do my own thing. It’s not important to me to be some big writing mega-star. I’d prefer to just find my audience and write for them and myself.