Dec 12 2009
Self-Publishing vs Vanity Press
Laura Resnick wrote a fantastic article today about the difference between self-publishing, regular publishing, and vanity press. Fantastically clear and concise and anyone interested in writing and publishing should read it.
She talks directly to new writers in the post, not to professionals, so keep that in mind. There are reasons that professional writers self publish at times, but that’s another long post and not the topic of her post. For beginning writers, she lays it out very, very clearly. Read it. There may come a point when you are very happy you did.
And pay special attention to the paragraph on practice. That alone is worth the read.
http://www.ninc.com/blog/index.php/archives/publishing-printing-or-scam
Cheers, Dean
Oh that Michael A. Stackpole.
I love his books but I haven’t seen a new one lately. Which doesn’t mean there aren’t any of course.
But what he has to say about writing needs to be listened to.
Thanks, I saved his web page.
“”There are reasons that professional writers self publish at times, but that’s another long post and not the topic of her post. “”
Dean, I agree. There are indeed some reasons for professionals to self-publish at times, and that is indeed a whole ‘nuther subject. (And between them, Cory Doctorow and Mike Stackpole have been blogging about some of those reasons this year, which commentaries I’ve followed with interest.) I also cut some other related subjects from the piece when I realized that my original draft was getting way too unwieldy and unfocused. That was indeed the hard part here, in the end–to stay concise.
I imagine the specific industry event that put this topic on my mind (and got a few people nudging me to write this) is no deep mystery. But given the strong language I use in the blog, it seems wisest to make no reference or even allusion to any specific company.
LauraR
LOL I agree with Louis regarding Michael Stackpole. Great site.
Now as to *this* post of yours, meaning the pointer to Laura’s commentary, it was very well done. Thanks for that as well.
I realize I’m biased, but I truly don’t understand how some people can continue to defend vanity presses as a viable career movie. Some of her replies came *close* to doing that. And (especially in connection with Harlequin’s latest move) I’ve seen many such posts other places. *sigh* Oh, well!
Deborah, oh, I don’t think any vanity press is a good idea for any level of professional. Again, Laura is being very clear with the difference between self-publishing and vanity press. Self-publishing, in certain times, has a value, mostly with more experienced professionals. Vanity press is ALWAYS a scam and should be avoided at all costs. So Laura never said anything about anyone doing vanity publishing as a good plan. There is no defense for doing it.
Self-publishing on the other hand, including putting up back-list for professionals, has a value. But not in a million years would I pay any vanity press to do it for me. Never, with free publishing places like Create Space and Kindle, why ever pay? Main rule of fiction writing: MONEY ALWAYS FLOWS TO THE WRITER. No exceptions except for continuing education.
Laura, thanks for stopping by. Great post!
Cheers
Dean
It’s probably worth noting that most people who are successful with a self-published book, almost always swap over to traditional publishing at the drop of a hat.
Larry Correia is a good example. Having had his Monster Hunter books rejected umpteen times, he self-published, and thanks to his visibility within gun geek culture, he had enough traction to sell a couple thousand copies, get some good visbility from a book seller back east, and from that to get the attention of Baen. As soon as Baen said they were interested, Larry went with them and has never looked back. Makes way more sense for him — and he has said so — and now he’s got a series going with Baen, is getting even MORE attention, selling quickly, etc. Basically, making more money for himself with Baen than he could have ever gotten via self-published books.
Larry has said over and over, “Don’t do it the way I did it!” He preferred traditional publishing — and prefers traditional publishing. Self-publish was kind of a last resort, and he was only to happy to get out of it.
Brad – that’s part of the thing spurring the myth that it is for new writers – that it is a method for getting discovered, if you can build a base.
You do note an interesting point in the Correia situation that was to his advantage. He was active enough in a community that would support him. That’s very very very, probably one more very, odd in fiction, though quite reasonable in non-fiction. A public speaker, subject matter expert, is a good candidate for self-publishing. This is more in line with a band printing their own CDs to sell at shows.
Fiction writers typically don’t have shows – though I did recently have an interesting conversation about a writer who built a following through fan-fic/slash.
Patrick,
I think that’s why Larry tells everyone — at cons, on his blog, everywhere — specifically not to follow in his footsteps. It would be very difficult for someone to replicate what he did, and anyone who tried — without the right community, the right kind of book, and the right personality — would probably find themselves dismally disappointed. And short a lot of money, too.