Some say that the traditional mode of publishing is stuffy and constricting, that it limits authors' productivity and creativity, and that it gives an author less control over their own work. Others argue that it upholds a certain standard, gets professional eyes on a book to make it the very best it can be, and knows how to handle the market.
Others argue that self publishing gives an author freedom and full control of their books and allows them to publish on a schedule that suits them.
Indie authors love the closeness they have with their publishing team and how connected they are at every step of the process...and some say that the lack of marketing and publisher reach can be an issue.
Yet more go for a hybrid mix of the two, taking what they need from each avenue. Still more think that becoming hybrid can lead to inconsistency within their "brand".
So, YATopians...what do you think? Is there a perfect publishing route for a writer? Tell us here!
** Also, on the flip side - for anyone who'd like to, there is a poll over at Debate It asking whether you prefer to read books traditionally, self, hybrid, or indie published. Feel free to come over and join us.
One of the problems with self publishing is there are so many people who publish without a proper editor. Typo's, bad grammar, heavy exposition - to name a few, are a problem and it drags the method down. I wish that EVERYONE that decided to self publish made sure their book was highly polished first. It makes it very difficult for writers considering self publishing. I am sad to say, I bought a book and the writer had no idea what tense they were writing in, flipping between 3rd past and present and constant head hopping. At the same time, I've thoroughly enjoyed many self published books. Alongside the writer making sure their book is ready to be published, I wish the places that published them at least moderated them first.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!
DeleteI wonder if, to maintain there own integrity as you suggest, places that sell self-pub books (Amazon, for instance) might might be able to do very quick and cost-effective reviews of books put up for sale.
They'd check the quality of just a few pages. (Doing more than this would be too time consuming and expensive.)
They might impose a listing fee (say $50) to cover the cost of listing as a self-publisher.
This, I think, would cut-down on this problem. One I think A LOT of us have come across frequently. And, in all honestly, gives the good self-pub writers out there a bad reputation by association.
Regards,
—Vic S.—
http://www.grauwelt.com
I agree. I wish that those writers who just "fling books out there" would stop and do an editing check or hire a proper editor. If they don't, it makes it all the harder for those wonderful self-published writers that do.There are a lot of good self-published books out there, but sometimes it can be hard to find them. I tend to go off recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI think that's everyone's best weapon against the "flingers:" research before you buy.
DeleteCaveat emptor!
Regards,
—Vic S.—
http://www.grauwelt.com