Comments on: Self-Publish or Rot In The Slush Pile?

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sat, 21 May 2011 15:38:57 +0000

You're welcome. I wasn't aware of the difference myself until recently!

By: yikici

yikici — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:14:33 +0000

Heya Stacy, I am attempting a second try at replying -my last attempt was eaten up by the World Wide Web! Unfortunately, I can't remember all I wrote last time (should have typed in word first me thinks! Ah well, have to make do with what I come up with now.) so I hope this is close; but I think I wrote something longer then… :(Roz certainly has given us food for thought -it's a hot topic -I'd love to hear where it goes…I too have heard that and so I’m hedging my bets that I’d have to consider alternative routes due to my style; we’ll I’d have to wait and see. I didn't know about digital publishing; so that I will definitely look at that, thank you for making me aware.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sun, 15 May 2011 17:32:32 +0000

Hey there! Roz definitely set the bar, and I've learned a lot from just that one blog post. Yes, my thought change as well. Part of me feels like I don't have a shot in hell at going traditional, and the other feels like I have to try.As for certain genres, I have heard agents/editors, etc talk about ones not doing as well traditional but are more suited for e-book. One thing to remember is that you can also go digital without self-publishing. There are digital house that still accept queries the "traditional" way.

By: yikici

yikici — Sun, 15 May 2011 14:54:09 +0000

Heya Stacy, I had to pop over and say Hi! Roz has set the bar on this topic it seems! 🙂 I'm glad I'm not the only one fuelled up on this; but everday my thoughts change. I wonder if certain types of books/stories are more suitable for self-pub and others the trad route? This is what is playing on my mind currently, what do you think?

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:41:02 +0000

MelissaI think you've got a great plan. If your skin is thick enough, I think there are benefits to querying traditional way. You're right, the more you have to offer the better your chances.KarenAmanda Hocking is great example, but is she the norm or the exception? That's what I'm waiting to see. My genre is suspense/thriller, which sells well in stores, but would probably do great via ebook as well.I don't blame you for being on the fence, especially in your case. Isn't literary fantasy a more specialized genre?

By: Karen Engelsen

Karen Engelsen — Sat, 14 May 2011 07:07:31 +0000

The dust hasn't settled yet. Amanda Hocking made quite a pile self pubbing, then signed with a standard publisher. Plenty of well known genre writers jumped the other way. IMHO, if you've got a genre channel and can make yourself a well known presence in a smaller world, then self pubbing makes more sense. If not, do trad pub, build a following, THEN jump to self pub. I'm writing literary fantasy, so I'm right on the fence about the issue! LOL

By: Melissa Romo

Melissa Romo — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:38:46 +0000

I'm exactly where you are in my thinking. I'm querying a debut novel while I buildy blog and social media presence, and will also be self-publishing a humor book this year to try out that model. A little bit of everything. It'll just give me more to offer a publisher if one eventually picks ms up. I think writers these days have an edge if they at conversant in every area of the business.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:32:18 +0000

JennySounds like you guys are where I'm at. Even though I say I should try New York, there's the nagging, impatient side that says just self-publish. It's a really difficult decision to make, and a lot of info to sort through.

By: jennyhansenauthor

jennyhansenauthor — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:23:40 +0000

Stacy,My critique partners at Writers In The Storm and I talk about this all the time! We're split 50/50 on the subject. Half are still convinced New York is the way to go, and half think the new writing model is self-pub, THEN possibly New York.Its been interesting to watch the opinions fly around the Twitterverse.Jenny

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:44:12 +0000

Hi Anne-Mhairi! I think your strategy is a good one, and I know building a platform is essential. I do wonder tho, can self-publishing work AGAINST us in terms of numbers? How easy would it be for an agent or editor to say the numbers aren't enough? I honestly don't know WHAT a good number would be, I'm that green.I think you've got a great strategy:)