I hope that it is true that an active, engaged mind sometimes lets one idea go in favor of another.
I hope that what I have to say isn’t just a sell-out.
Here’s the deal. Those who know me know that I have been a strong opponent to the idea of self-publishing and not too fond of the idea of e-publishing either. My concerns have perhaps been old-fashioned. The “way” books were published as I grew up was a wonderful thing. An agent or publisher would discover the short stories you got published in magazines after some serious work, and you would be offered a contract. Your editor would roll up his sleeves and work with you to polish the book, and the publisher would send you all over the country to do readings and signings.
That dream crashed to the ground some years back, but I’ve been reluctant to let go of the idea.
Image: onlineeducationhelp.co.uk
That said, after having speaker after speaker come to the Fremont Area Writers Club to relate his or her experiences and challenges on the road to publication, I fear it is time for me to finally “get the message.” At least get a part of the message.
Only a part? Yep. I’m still not sold on the idea of paying someone to print high-priced books for me that I have to go out and peddle by hand. So far as I’m concerned, there’s no cheese down that tunnel
What I am beginning to learn—and trust me, I’ve been kicking and screaming the whole way—is that a quicker, and more reasonable method to find your way to physical print is to have success in the eBook world.
This is not to say that getting your book published as an eBook is a walk in the park. It takes some work. You have to edit the thing. You have to format it. You have to find the publisher, and you have to click on SEND. OK, maybe that isn’t all THAT difficult.
A novel that has had even moderate success as an eBook can show up as having the legs to make it in print.
Today’s challenge is to take a look at your own point of view about the ladder to publishing success. If you are in the camp that I huddled in for years, consider a change. If you are already sold on the idea of using ePublishing to get a leg up in the industry, I challenge you to find three or four ePublishers you would feel comfortable with.
If you still think paying someone to print your book is a good idea… well, sigh, I’m not sure I can help.
Your thoughts?
Uphill Writing 