The real key to success in anything is not looking for success. Enjoy yourself. Have fun. Be humble at all times and willing to learn. When you have this attitude, success is inevitable!
What did it for me when it comes picking self-publishing over traditional publishing was when I found out that even traditionally published authors have to still promote their book. Sure, you *MAY* get some help and insight from the publishing house and they *MAY* give guidance on how to promote the book, but outside of that you're pretty much on your own. Plus, with my book I doubt a traditional publisher would find my book marketable, so I decided to go that route for that reason.
Trad marketability is certainly a factor, but the bare minimum a trad pub will do for an author is still more than what a new author with average resources can do, especially for YA and younger.
Self pub without any question. Trad is broken and wouldn't want my over the top masculine sword and sorcery anyway. And now I'll watch the video! Edit: Called it mostly. A lot of good points! For me it comes down to controlling everything that I put out, although self-pub can be tiring some days its worth it for me.
I self published my first book on Amazon and tried really hard to be active on social media to promote myself. I made 0 sales and lost several thousand dollars. I’m writing now in hopes to be traditionally published.
Hi Tim! Just wanted to point out that the thumbnail says "trade" but should say "trad." Thanks for your content and for your presentation discussing your book on the Escape the Plot Forest event as well. =)
I love your channel and videos, (here comes the "but") but this video is asking us to choose between the dichotomy of the lesser of 2 evils. You described 2 discouraging scenarios for want-to-be authors. Trade-publishing and (for the most part) we're a victim, and with Self-publishing... our book is a series of huge bills to pay, on a book that has over a 90% chance of causing our financial ruin, unless we achieve King or Rowling-like sales numbers, but with no networking or marketing. What crushing motivation for pie-eyed writers to have their dreams obliterated, before they even start. Fortunately, (Parabolic: Horror, Cosmic-Horror, Sword & Sorcery in high-Fantasy is my genres) I write for the love of writing, and not for the desire of being published... (another) but what of the other 99% out there?! How about a video for them?
The real key to success in anything is not looking for success. Enjoy yourself. Have fun. Be humble at all times and willing to learn. When you have this attitude, success is inevitable!
There are times in life where you have to brag not be humble in order to get anywhere
What did it for me when it comes picking self-publishing over traditional publishing was when I found out that even traditionally published authors have to still promote their book. Sure, you *MAY* get some help and insight from the publishing house and they *MAY* give guidance on how to promote the book, but outside of that you're pretty much on your own. Plus, with my book I doubt a traditional publisher would find my book marketable, so I decided to go that route for that reason.
Trad marketability is certainly a factor, but the bare minimum a trad pub will do for an author is still more than what a new author with average resources can do, especially for YA and younger.
Self pub without any question. Trad is broken and wouldn't want my over the top masculine sword and sorcery anyway. And now I'll watch the video!
Edit: Called it mostly. A lot of good points! For me it comes down to controlling everything that I put out, although self-pub can be tiring some days its worth it for me.
Are there certain genres that are more likely to be successfully self-published than others?
Brilliant video. Thank you❤
I self published my first book on Amazon and tried really hard to be active on social media to promote myself. I made 0 sales and lost several thousand dollars. I’m writing now in hopes to be traditionally published.
Did you have a marketing team you're working with regarding that, instead of publishing traditionally?
Interesting tips about publishing, marketing and getting paid... a dose of reality for authors. Thumbs up
Sir expecting elaborate video about how to find an story ideas
Hi Tim! Just wanted to point out that the thumbnail says "trade" but should say "trad."
Thanks for your content and for your presentation discussing your book on the Escape the Plot Forest event as well. =)
Make a video on Royal Road please
This is fantastic advice for a wannabe author - thank you very much.
signed up. Never got my checklist.
What about mid size publishing?
Where are you getting $5000 for a good book cover? I’ve never heard that number in all of the research that I’ve done. That is insane.
4:14 Please tell me you didn’t pay 5 grand for the cover of your book ‘The Shithead’.
Do you write non-fiction too?
Other than the nearly-cancelled Neil Gaiman, Scalzi is the most indefatigable self promotor in SF.
I love your channel and videos, (here comes the "but") but this video is asking us to choose between the dichotomy of the lesser of 2 evils. You described 2 discouraging scenarios for want-to-be authors. Trade-publishing and (for the most part) we're a victim, and with Self-publishing... our book is a series of huge bills to pay, on a book that has over a 90% chance of causing our financial ruin, unless we achieve King or Rowling-like sales numbers, but with no networking or marketing. What crushing motivation for pie-eyed writers to have their dreams obliterated, before they even start.
Fortunately, (Parabolic: Horror, Cosmic-Horror, Sword & Sorcery in high-Fantasy is my genres) I write for the love of writing, and not for the desire of being published... (another) but what of the other 99% out there?! How about a video for them?