Okay, fine. Let's talk about self-publishing.
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- Опубликовано: 26 май 2024
- Responding to several comments about why I shelved a novel that didn't sell on submission despite my previous books in the same genre selling nearly half a million copies.
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Authors of serialized fiction! Tell me what you know. :) And here's my Substack for anyone interested in following along:
As a self-publish author, I want to surround myself with authors who truly love the quality and art of storytelling. do not make it about only business, but love the thrill and excitement of telling various stories. Those people I love to be around and with are interesting. People who don't see themselves as business people don't see their novels as products. The people who truly love storytelling.
A big problem with self-publishing is the amateurish attitudes of many self-publishers. They don't push themselves to create a polished, professional product - the kind of polishing you're forced into by an agent. :) Having worked with an agent and "thrown my book out there," I see a night and day difference between the two versions. You have to be extremely dedicated and disciplined to polish a manuscript. And virtually all manuscripts need polishing!!
School librarian here! Friends, she is completely right. Since I have to purchase books from approved vendors, I literally could not buy her book for my library if she self published. Her reader base is not one for which self publishing is currently very viable.
I gave up on traditional publishing when I realized just how many hoops you're expected to jump through while still having little to no control over your project. It's probably a good thing I write YA. I'd be in trouble with a middle grade book since the big publishers basically dominate that market. After spending a crap ton (a.k.a. a loan) on editing, art, and a bunch of other book stuff, I'll be publishing my book this November. Here's to hoping I earn out my investment. 😅 Otherwise, I'll be making regular payments for the next five years for that. Let's just hope my marketing plan works.
I would love to see authors just openly talk about different points in their novels while in the writing process sort of like an open recorded brainstorming to see what happens and see if maybe others might be able to provide a better way of getting the same results perhaps? I just wish writing wasnt so expensive overall.
Ughh Michelle… seeing even you struggle is such a reality check. This is a realistic case study the rest of us millions of amateur writers around the world (yes, including me in buttnowhere Malaysia) to use to set our expectations on.
This is just a season in your career. You'll get through this, and the next time you get published, you'll sell more than half a million from a single book.
"throw it out there" 🤣🤣🤣 Yes, you are building a business, finding a readership, marketing, doing public events (but not after the hips, sorry)... No, I don't just throw it out there, either. Hundreds spent on editing and covers and formatting. Working very hard for several years, although I have slowed down b/c of physical stuff...I have to laugh. But those who haven't approached indie publishing like a business wouldn't know those things. 😂😂
❤ Oregonian here! Excited to see you talking about serial fiction! I recently decided with no following and all to try to jump into it! And it’s nice too see another talking about it! I’m mostly gonna start posting on web novel, see how it goes, it’s been a bit of work trying to go from longer chapters to episodes ranging 1-1.5k but as I’ve been drafting the episodes working on a buffer (would highly recommend considering, as it gives you time if you have a personal situation or come across plot issues that may need some extra time to rework.) it’s great to here you talking about serial fiction as there seems to be controversy. And I have been split on the idea. But with little to know following this seems to be the best solution just starting out! Have a great day!
Hi Michelle, always good to see you :) And I truly mean that, not politeness :)
Finally got to finish this video (thank you for posting btw!) But i've lost the spellcheck and autocorrect function on youtube, plus typing on my phone sucks, so i'll try and keep this short.
I put away money for years to self-publish and I'm going into it realizing I'm probably not going to earn that back for at least a few years. Really at this stage I'm looking at it as creating a backlist.
Been really enjoying the substack. Thank you for critiquing my pages! Kindle Vella is the platform for serialized fiction. KDP is for ebooks and physical books. I’m back in the query trenches again and am hoping for a positive result this time. I would love to see your mental process while writing a middle grade horror!
Thanks as always Michelle! I would be super interested to hear what you find out about serial platforms. I wrote a story that I originally intended for Vella, but then began hearing that there isn’t a ton of readership there, and got scared off. But, I do still love the format itself and hope there is a place somewhere where readers are enjoying serial stuff.
As always, an engaging post. I'm traditionally published and uninterested in self-publishing for all the reasons you state. I'm breaking up with the publisher for various reasons but have nothing but respect for how they edited my novel. I'm really hoping that my second in the series will be picked up by a small but vigorous publisher. I wite essays on my Substack "Dispatches " after years of blogging. I love it! I like the serial idea - worked very well for Dickens. I'm an absolute pantser so don’t know that I could do it. And I love the idea of you sharing the nuts and bolts of a project.
You had a really great point about self publishing being entrepreneurship. I am self publishing my first novel and have around 8 years of digital marketing experience to utilise. That being said I am still terrified. It's scary putting out a product that contains your heart and soul.
Always appreciate your thoughts and insights. I did Wattpad for a while during its heyday. I also dipped into Kindle Vella. Honestly, the payout isn’t great. Like the rest of the industry, some genres get way more attention than others-especially romance. Most recommendations regarding indie is to focus on building your newsletter list and marketing to your readers. Btw I’m an indie and trad author (meaning I have an agent).
I have one sterilized story. What I did to try and make sure i didn’t get overwhelmed. I wrote 15 chapters first then planned to write the rest as the first part went out. I publish once a month which is not what people recommend but its what i can do. I am using Kindle Vella but i don't really love it. Also Kofi for out of state readers. I habe been looking into Ream as my story is Erotica Paranormal Romance. Good look on the journey if your going to try serialized fiction
You've probably found it after, but the serialized Amazon Publishing is called Kinda Vella.