The truth about publishing.
Either if you’re planning on becoming a writer, are half-way through your first novel, or are already a published author, you know that publishing is not a path of roses. Like every other creative and artistic endeavor, being an author is an ungrateful job.
From the beginning itself you’re met with resistance and an endless loop of not being published because you aren’t represented—not finding representation because you haven’t been published. Publishers that won’t accept unrequested manuscripts. Literary agents who won’t accept queries unless you have been referred by a known person, and whose first question to you is how many followers you have on Social Media.
Someone please, explain to me how the number of followers I have affect the quality of my work.
Then comes the Jackals; publishers that offer you to publish your novel for a fee in a so-called “shared publishing” model. For approximately $3,000-$5,000 they’ll promise to print your manuscript, distribute it to local and international bookstores and promote it on the internet, radio and TV. Breaking news; they won’t. They’ll take the money, print your book, sent you some agreed copies and you’re on your own. Then it’ll be up to you to visit your local bookstores and convince them to sell your book, it’ll be on you to promote your work on social media, and it’ll be on you to do everything the publisher promised you they’d do.
That is not a publishing house, that’s just a costly press.
That’s why many authors rather publish their book independently on platforms we all know and I won’t mention because I’m not here to advertise anyone for free. Their conditions are
abusive —yes, but so are the profit margins from classic publishing. Your manuscript is a cake they’re all taking a piece off of, and you’re left with the tiniest portion of it.
If you decide to self-publish your book, having your own webpage is a good option to offer your project to the world.
Of course, let’s not forget the scammers. You’ll be contacted almost daily by people wanting to promote your book, offering you to interview you about your book, or asking if you’d be interested in them leaving reviews on diverse platforms. Please, don’t fall for any of this. If you feel that whoever is contacting you is not trustworthy, trust your gut. Do your research, and if you’re still uncertain or don’t know how to find the answers you need, I’m just an e-mail away.
I know you’re full of hope, you want this to work, and you have faith in your project. Of course it’ll work, take your chances but not at any cost. Protect your project, and your wallet. As my former Korean teacher used to say; always put your name on everything. Register your work. Always. Your manuscript, drafts, covers, everything you might create. Life is full of vultures who will try to take advantage of you and your work. He was a wise man and a true role model; teacher, sea captain and pastor in his church. Listen to him.
Now, maybe you have more doubts at this point than when you started reading this and wonder what you should do. Well, that’s your decision, either if you want to pursue a traditional publishing method, find a literary agent or self-publish your manuscript, the only thing I can do is give you all the information I have, however the ultimate decision is yours. Not every author and their motivations are the same, so choose the option you find more convenient for you.
