Welcome to another week of Writer’s Quote Wednesday! I hope your week has been good so far. We’re almost over the hump and soon the weekend will be here. 😉
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Colleen Chesebro is a writer, poet, and book reviewer. She hosts an inspiring event every Wednesday on her blog, Silver Threading, called Writer’s Quote Wednesday. Anyone can participate by choosing a quote by a favorite writer and posting it on your blog.
Ronovan, from Ronovan Writes and Colleen have joined forces! He has been linking his #BeWoW blog share (Be Wonderful on Wednesday) now to include: Be Writing on Wednesday. If you would like to combine both posts feel free to do so and link them to Colleen’s post. She will make sure and add you to the quote wrap-up she does each Tuesday. Please make sure and check out Ron’s blog for more writing inspiration and motivation!
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Today I wanted to briefly mention the Publishing Industry. I’m busy working on my Fantasy Angels Series and I’ve been on the fence for some time about whether to send out query letters to agents or skip all that and self-publish. I know there are many aspiring authors who are as confused as I am about this. I found an article by author Hugh C. Howey that was very helpful.
My Advice to Aspiring Authors by Hugh C. Howey
Here’s a snippet from the article:
Now would be a good time to explain the advantages of self-publishing over traditional publishing. When writers ask for advice, they are often asking how they should proceed with their completed manuscript. I’m going to explain why every author should begin their writing career self-publishing, even if their dream is to be with a large publisher. There’s a lot to say. Bear with me.
Your manuscript won’t change. This is the biggest logical fallacy I see in the self vs. trad debate. The idea seems to be that if you self-publish, somehow your work drops in quality. It’s the same work. The words won’t change because of perceived association with what else is out there. Querying an agent won’t make your manuscript better. Self-publishing won’t make it worse. It’s either a story that appeals to readers or it isn’t.
I underlined that sentence because it tickled me––it’s so true!
Know your gatekeepers. Appealing to readers is the endgame. They want story over prose, so concentrate on that (aim for both, but concentrate on story). Agents and slush-pile readers are often the opposite, which is why they bemoan the absence of literary fiction hits and cringe at the sale of Twilight, Dan Brown, and 50 Shades. You are writing for the reader, who is your ultimate gatekeeper. Get your work in front of them, even if it’s one at a time, one reader a month or year.
Other sentences that struck me as the ultimate truth.
(To read more click on the link above)
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“There’s a bizarre prejudice that exists in the New York publishing establishment that any work outside the tri-state area is being done by trained chimpanzees, that geography screens out sensibility.”
~Kate Braverman
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“The publishing world is very timid. Readers are much braver.”
~Kiran Desai
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“Anyone who says it’s easy to self-publish a book is either lying or doing a shitty job.”
~Nan McCarthy
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“Whatever you may have heard, self-publishing is not a short cut to anything. Except maybe insanity. Self-publishing, like every other kind of publishing, is hard work. You don’t wake up one morning good at it. You have to work for that.”
~Zoe Winters
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The State of Self-Publishing – The Wayfinder – Hugh C. Howey
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I believe it is every indie writer’s responsibility to write the best and most complete book possible before publishing in order to elevate the industry.
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Vashti! I could not agree with some of your quotes more. Self-publishing is about marketing your writing by yourself. Although, unless you are a big name, I don’t think many publishers want to invest in us. I can’t wait to read your series. Stay strong! ❤
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Hi Colleen! You’re right, even the big N.Y. houses don’t commit to doing everything for the author anymore. They expect the author to do a lot of their own social media work. The good old days are gone. I’m willing to do all the work I need to do. I’ve never been one to shy away from work. I just need guidance because I’m not sure what it is that I have to do. Thank you so much! 🙂 ❤ xx
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Vashti, I don’t have a clue either. We have plenty of resources to learn from. We will just learn this business together! 😀 ❤
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That’s right, Colleen! One step at a time. 😉 xx
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Colleen is right. These days, unless you’re pretty big you still have to do most of the marketing yourself, even if you’re picked up by a traditional publisher. But it depends on what one wants to achieve.
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Basically, what I want is to put my books out there before as many readers as possible. I’m mostly insecure of my ability to do that. How much reach does a self-published author have? I guess that’s one of many questions I need answered.
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Great quotes. And yes, unfortunately, we all have to do our own marketing these days unless we’re a big name. That part of the whole thing sucks when you’d rather be writing.
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I think even big names have to do some marketing. I’ve seen John Grisham doing his own commercials on late night TV. I’m willing to do the work but you’re absolutely right, IT DOES SUCK, because I would rather be writing. 😉 xx
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Grisham does his own marketing? I didn’t know that. I guess I don’t watch enough TV to see that commercial.
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Well, he has a late night commercial that I think is pretty funny.
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Hi Vashti, great quotes on the topic of self-publishing or going with a publisher. I like what you put at the end: “I believe it is every indie writer’s responsibility to write the best and most complete book possible before publishing in order to elevate the industry.”
–Here, here to that. I totally agree. And it goes with everything in life. Do your best. Not, ‘Be perfect’. Doing your best is what really matters. And yes, nothing worthy in life comes by looking for short cuts. Hard work is what really brings true rewards.
Have a wonderful Thursday, my friend. As for me, I’m going to eat chocolate cake. It’s my son’s 9th birthday.
🙂
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There are too many poorly written and edited indie books out there. I have actually heard people say that they wouldn’t read indie books because they are of poor quality. This really upsets me. That’s why it’s up to us to change society’s views of indie writers and book. We need to write our best work and then get it edited by a professional.
Aww. Happy birthday to your little boy and be sure to have a piece of cake for me. 😉
Happy Thursday! Have a wonderful end of the week! ❤ xx
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Ohhhh, that’s too bad, and really unfortunate. Yes, it is up to writers like you to change that mindset. All the power to you Vashti. I think that’s a great idea @get it edited by a professional.
Hahaha, yes, I had my fair share of cake. The second piece I had was for you then ok :-). Can I pass those calories off to you too? 😉
Have a wonderful weekend Vashti.
🙂 ❤
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Ha, ha, ha! I think you can keep the calories.
We all have to do our part when it comes to self-publishing. I feel positive about the step, after all, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, and Mark Twain among other great writers self-published at some point in their careers. I would do well to be among this honored group. 😀
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🙂
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Great quotes Vashti. Once again you have really got me thinking. Perhaps there would be more great stories to read if we did not have so many gatekeepers getting in the way and making assumptions about what we want to read.
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I couldn’t agree more, Christina. I’m glad I got you thinking. 😉 xx
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All very informative quotes. The process of self publishing sounds exhausting as is the pursuit of anything worth having I suppose. It helps to start with renewed determination and a clear deck. Thanks for the resources.
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Self-publishing does seem like an exhausting process but well worth it if the end result is the realization of your dream. I don’t mind putting in the work. You’re welcome and thank you! 😀
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I totally agree with all these quotes.
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Me too. 😉
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I love everything about this post. Every single word of it.
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Aw. Thank you. I’m happy you got something out of it.
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Self-publishing does sound like a lot of hard work.
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It does, but I believe it is worth it. I went the traditional route with my first book and felt completely stripped of power when it came to my book (pricing, marketing . . . ) I want to have more control with my Fantasy Angels Series. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
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That’s good to know. I’m leaning toward traditional publishing. My book is a memoir so I hope that I can maintain the integrity.
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A publisher will not change your work. Your words are your own, so I wish you lots of luck. Have you sent out query letters?
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No. I was going to have it edited first.
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That’s always a great idea. 🙂
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This is really helpful, thank you. #readwithme
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I’m happy the post helped you. Good luck and thank you for stopping by! 😀
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Some great quotes and advice there! I find more and more people self publish these days! Thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe
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Thank you! I went the traditional route the first time. I’m considering self-publishing this time. I want more control of what happens with my book. 🙂
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This great post is one of the Highest CLIMBers on the March 2016 CLIMB blog hop – see here: http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2016/03/featuring-march-2016-highest-climbers.html
Please link up your newest posts & you might just be featured again next month!
Thanks
Angie
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