Hi
I received a Kindle as a Christmas gift from my wife (Thanks, Liz!) and I'm wondering what other writers think about this unfolding self-publishing phenomenon. With tens of millions of units already acting as personal "bookshop windows" in the hands of keen readers all over the world, shouldn't all writers take advantage by self-publishing their works on the Kindle? If not, why?
I look forward to your views. Thanks.
Thanks for these insights - very helpful indeed.
I'm intrigued by the thought of recruiting professional editing services when going the self-publishing route - does anyone have any examples?
I'm slightly less keen on becoming an online-whore! Point taken though, Jonathan; successful marketing and selling is something that most of us would struggle to achieve ourselves to the same degree that a traditional agent / publisher arrangement can. I wonder - is there an option for self-publishers to pay for professional marketing services?
Thanks once again to all for your thoughts and suggestions - this is a very interesting and useful discussion.
If truth be told I think we'd all prefer a 'traditional' deal because the tough part is marketing and selling the book. My experience so far is that you have to be an online-whore to get any volumes with an ebook, and I don't know about most writers but that's not me. And paperback sales? They're even more difficult, especially writing in certain genres. That's where trad publishers score, though the author often ends up paid peanuts.
I've seen two distinct categories of "self published" books - the first, and this is where the poor quality dominates, is where people have failed in the traditional route, but want to get their book out there regardless.
The second however interests me most. This is a group of people who want overall control of everything - cover design, published version, and royalties. These people have used professional editors to review their MS before publishing, and have researched the plethora of advice out there on marketing their books.
We've all seen the stories of million sellers that have been self published, but if you decide to go down that route, surely you should approach it with the same detailed attention and research that you put into the rest of your writing - it is a service, and as Cressida says, it is the first impression.
Personally, although I've done a certain amount of research in that area, I still prefer the idea of a traditional route - purely because if my book is ever published, it will have had the best editing, design and promotion possible, and therefore it will be the best it can be when the reader gets it.