Writing and Self-Publishing
Why am I writing anyway? Fame and fortune, maybe. I’ll turn down the fame and except any portion of the fortune I can possibly access. But, really, it's not the fame and fortune – I’d be doing this anyway (I guess I am doing this anyway).
I guess I am doing this because I believe in stories. And, I’m driven to share my stories. I guess I always have been. My daughter recently reminded me that I would write and tell stories at my children’s birthday parties or in their Sunday school classes. I love building stories and sharing them.
How do you go beyond telling a story to publishing a story (a book)?
I’ve decided to pursue self-publishing. By deciding to self-publish, you are becoming a small business. You are putting your money on the line. You are the CEO, CTO, CFO, Manufacturing Director, Art Director, Marketing Director and Janitor for your venture. Do not take the decision lightly.
So, how do you make that decision? I see three primary reasons to pursue self-publishing.
1. You are publishing a book with very limit market appeal. Examples could include a family genealogy or a story about your life for your family.
2. You want to own all aspects of your book - including the creation process.
3. You can leverage your own networks for the sale of your book.
The first reason is simply about the breadth of market appeal for the subject. You will likely not attract the attention of a publisher with a subject that has a very narrow, specialty subject. So, self-publishing might make the most sense. You need to determine the number of copies needed and the best printing options available to you. Color copying machines have gotten to be pretty good but they are not necessarily cost effective if you need a larger number of printed copies.
The last two reasons are for the insane. Yes, self-publishing will give you more control but you will also own most all of the work and headaches. You can leverage your own networks to sell your books but remember - it takes work. Leveraging your networks does not just magically happen. Your nights and weekends can easily be consumed at the computer or on the phone - or both.
Being one of those insane individuals, I have found self-publishing extremely exciting. I’m learning what’s important, what to look for in artwork, what types of words do you need on the cover, editing, and building connections – I’m understanding steps in the process that I might have missed via a publisher. But, I do spend most evenings working on some aspect of my book – re-writing, reviewing artwork, proofing, building a web site, maintaining the website and marketing.
Just this past week the final proofs of my book, Just a Quilt?, were approved. Within the month, the books should be printed and shipped. Wow! This is really happening. Today, New Year’s Day, I spent most of my time on marketing the book. But now, I need to put on my janitor hat and take out the garbage – primarily made up of thousands of crumpled sheets of paper from my next manuscript.
Happy New Year!
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