I had a dream last night. I opened up Forbes Magazine (which makes no sense, for many reasons, but remember this is “dream logic”), and I found an absolutely glowing review of my children’s book, “Don’t Bully Buster” printed right in its center pages. The writer of the review was highly enthusiastic about the book’s take on empathy, and specifically praised the writing. And I couldn’t show the review to my family fast enough.
Feel free to analyze my psyche as much as you’d like.
The reality is, the subject has been on my mind a lot recently: book reviews. Book awards. Nowadays, there are many options for an indie publisher to submit their books for speculation amongst professionals, and possibly earn some marketing and promotion while they’re at it. For a fee, of course.
But this story is working backwards a bit. Let’s rewind to Sunday night, when my partner and I were having dinner with a friend. We were doing some catching up, and she was asking me about my writing. I told her about my novel and my children’s book, and then I filled her in on projects I’m currently working on. Specifically, that I had several short stories already partially to fully formed. She asked me what I would typically do with them.
I could submit them to literary magazines, I told her. For a fee. And then most likely never hear back from them again.
The words I eventually used were, “It’s a gamble.” I am, essentially, gambling whenever and wherever I submit my work: I am throwing out money for the possibility that I might get something back.
But, let’s rewind even further.
Last week, I stopped by my old high school to visit a past teacher and mentor. She, too, asked me about my writing. She was curious to know if I self-published or if I went the more traditional route. I told her I “bit the bullet,” and went for self-publishing. She asked me if I even attempted to send my work to a traditional publisher: I, somewhat sheepishly, told her no.
I know I should at least try. Just in case. But frankly, I’d rather not.
I’d rather not wait around for weeks to months, or even years, just for my work to be pulled from the slush pile and not immediately appeal to so-and-so’s personal tastes at that time. I’d rather not continue to shell out twenty dollars per story only to be completely ghosted eight out of ten times and rejected the other two. I have always hated gambling in the usual sense: I have long grown tired of doing it with my writing.
Traditional publishing is a great option for many writers. But I am too stubborn in my independence. I would rather do everything on my own–all the marketing, promotion, formatting, design work, etc.–and have my book out there to be found by those who would enjoy it, instead of leaving it to gather dust on a shelf, awaiting the day the right so-and-so might decide to take a chance on it.
There are many pros and cons between self-publishing and traditionally publishing your books. One of these days I hope to go into further detail for your benefit. But for now, the stars seemed to be aligning on the subject of why I chose to self-publish. And one of the more significant reasons is that I would rather do everything on my own than waste money and time in the hopes that some stranger behind a desk will finally find worth in what I have to offer.
Maybe others will disagree with me. Maybe they will think I’m making a mistake, doing it all on my own. But this is one risk I am more than willing to take.
Night Owls, what are you doing with your writing? Are you self-publishing, or are you taking the traditional route? How is it going?
