Jul
15
2010
On Independent Publishing: Part One
Author: Carolyn van Es-VinesAbout a year into writing my memoir, black and (A)broad: traveling beyond the limitations of identity (available on Amazon as of September 1, 2010), I decided to travel the road of independent publishing. Not willing to play the traditional game of sending hundreds of query letters to acquisitions editors who don’t have the time to acknowledge that they’ve even received them, I chose to invest my time and fragile pride into a more productive enterprise: writing what was in my heart in my own voice and on my own terms.
A fellow writer warned me that if I took this route, I would ruin my credibility as a writer. “No major publishing house will ever sign you if you self-publish. You’ll stigmatize yourself as an author.” Realizing that there might be some truth in her admonition, I forged on and in the process learned a helluva lot. In this five-part post, I want to share what I know to be the five essential I’s of independent publishing: investment, identity, involvement, innovation and inspiration.
This week’s topic is investment.
I wanted to be taken seriously as an author, so my first step was to take myself seriously. I did this by investing time as well as money. I made the time to ask and answer these essential questions: did I believe in my writing talent? was I passionate about my idea? was I willing to write (for years if necessary) without being paid? was I willing to write a book knowing that I may only sell it to my close friends and family? was I willing to revise my work until I was satisfied that my message was clear? was I disciplined enough to use my writing time to write instead of cleaning out the refrigerator, dusting my linen closets or spending hours on Twitter and Facebook?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes
And, yes, I’ve also invested quite a bit of money, which I earned through my side gig as a freelance translator, proofreader and editor. What better way to invest every cent of my earnings than in my own project? If I wanted my potential audience to reciprocate, I had to releas a quality book. Here’s the breakdown of my major investments in euros:
650 for a professional writing mentor (www.joparfitt.com) She’s brilliant, by the way.
400 to commission a professional artist to design my book cover.
600 for marketing (media releases, keyword optimization on blog, branding)
750 for professional layout of book cover and internal pages
150 set-up fee on Lightning Source
300 to cater upcoming launch party
300 for press shots (Natalie Carstens at www.tigscreations.com made me look stunning)
That’s not counting the countless hours of writing.
So far, my time investment has paid off. I’ve accomplished what hundreds of thousands of writers have not: I’ve written a book on a topic that I’m passionate about. I’ve controlled every aspect of my own creative life from determining when it will be published (September 1, 2010 on Amazon) to its title (black and (A)broad: traveling beyond the limits of identity) to its cover to its contents. More importantly, I can say, with my chest out and my chin up, that I’m an author.
Whether or not the financial investment pays off remains to be seen. In the meantime, come back next week for part two of the five essential I’s of independent publishing: identity.
July 15th, 2010 at 15:17
I applaud you. I think that at the end of the day only you will be able to say, in the long run, whether or not your author-friend was right.
However, I do believe that you will never regret investing in yourself, and in your vision.
Hope to see the book in 1 or 2 local bookstores in NL. Either way, I will definitely be getting a copy.
July 15th, 2010 at 19:31
Hi Viajera,
thanks for your encouraging words. I remind myself every other day that I’m already successful whether I sell 100 or 10000 books. You’re right, I’ll never regret my investment, and I’m proud of myself for seeing it through. Part of my marketing plan is to get the book placed in bookstores here, probably independent stores. Hope my story inspires you in some way.
July 16th, 2010 at 14:10
Carolyn, I’m looking forward to reading your book!
July 16th, 2010 at 14:12
I’m looking forward to reading your book! I’d be happy to review it when it comes out.
July 18th, 2010 at 04:40
Good job on breaking that cycle. Many writers would accpet that it is better to get a publisher rather than self publis. In life you have to take risk, If many are saying “No” then why not a “Yes”. A “Yes” create opportunites to dicuss and share. I am sure Benjamin Franklin recieved amples no’s from his critics that electricity is impossible.
Overall, say yes to self publishing. Good marketing and the right target readers decides.
YES TO SELF PUBLISHING!
July 18th, 2010 at 19:15
Hi Renelda,
the best part of independent publishing is that I don’t have to depend on anyone to tell me what kind of book I can write and whether or not I can publish it. Sure, I’m giving up other things by doing it this way, but I’m focusing on the benefits. Thanks for the pep talk.