To self publish, or, not to self publish....?

From the response to the topic on self publishing it seems that not many authors are willing, ready, or able to take full responsibility of their creativity.
As a self published author myself, I am saddened by this lack of response to Sol’s question, and, to what appears to be a bleak view at a venture that can be lucrative and very exciting.

In 1992 I “SELF" published my first book of poetry: entitled; “Slave Spirit Speaks" .
Thankfully, back then I knew nothing about the pros and cons of publishing, or the stigma of negativity attached to self publishing. I think I’d be still waiting  for my publisher in shining armor to arrive, If I knew then what I know now.

All I knew then was that I had a great collection of poems I wanted to share with the world. I was already sharing many of my poems with my friends and family, and had been performing and reading at almost every community event I was given the pleasure to attend.

The initial response was encouraging. Soon I was being invited to perform at elementary schools and prestigious universities here in Montreal Canada.
To me, the next logical step was to publish a book of my poems.

First, I compiled a manuscript of my favorite, seventy in all, then wrote what I felt was a very impressive forward on the common theme, then, I edited and re-edited to the best of my ability. I then got a few of my academic-poetry-loving friends to look my manuscript over, after which, I paid a professional a few bucks to edit, professionally, I hoped.

Secondly, I called a friend who worked as a printer and knew a whole lot about printing, and printing companies. He assured we he could get my book printed at a price within my stated budget.
I trusted his expertise, so I gave him some cash(a cheque)and my neatly typed copyright-manuscript to be formatted and printed professionally. (again, I hoped).
I also gave him a deadline to have 1000 copies in neatly stacked boxes on my doorsteps by a certain date.

This settled, I went ahead and booked a posh restaurant, with a guarantee to the owner that I will fill the allotted space provided, with my friends, family and fans. I then ordered 20 bottles of good cheap champagne,(total cost $400), through the esteemed establishment (cause good, cheap was all I could afford) to toast my book and my guests.

Next, I commenced to called as many friends and family as I possibly could and invited them to come and celebration with me at my book launch.
I further requested that they should bring along as many of their friends and family as possible.
I then contacted a few media pals and bragged about my big book launch, on such on such a date, and invited them and their cameras to come along.
In a few interviews I even dropped a few enticing names of the "whos" and "whoms" who were going to be among my guest.

I had a few hundred business cards and fliers printed and distributed, introducing me as a writer launching my first book. (My first press kit)
Then I nervously went about phoning some more, refining my plans, fussing, preparing my thank you and acknowledgment speech, waiting for my big launch date. Planning my book’s birthday party, so to speak.

On the morning of the Launch my delivery was still being printed ......!..!

To my great relief the first five hundred copies arrived less than an hour before I was scheduled to leave my home, for the restaurant. On the way there I hopped and prayed with all my heart that my guests were already filling the room.

To make a long story short; I sold three hundred books that night, toasted with my good-cheap champagne, and had a great evening with about four hundred friends, strangers, family, and acquaintances.

Over the following years, I sold the remainder of my books at poetry performances, community events and to interested strangers. I even gave away a few copies to libraries, churches, and, in a good PR strategy, as gifts.

Was this venture a success? Yes, in many ways, I learned about publishing and about launching a book. Unlike throwing an elaborate birthday party, I even made a few bucks to cover costs and had a few dollars left in my pocket for my troubles.

In my second launch, a CD, I used more-or-less the same model, just a bit more elaborate and somewhat more expensive.
By then, I had also created my own company "Kulanga productions" to add a touch of professionalism and for tax purposes.

Would I recommend self publishing. Yes. If you know how to throw a party and wants too, or if one has the guts and is confident enough to dare...
“SELF"  publishing can be quite fulfilling; a great confidence building, ego busting, fun thing to do.
So what if you loose a few hard earned bucks? Well, in my humble opinion, every university is expensive. Even the university of “Hard Knocks".

My philosophy when it comes to self publishing is this: I can chase someone to blow my own horn for me, or I can use my energy to blow it myself.
As things stand, I'll continue blowing until someone hears my music (or read my book)and likes it enough to buy it or me... (I mean publish me)

But, in-the-mean-time call me a self serving fraud, what do I care. I already know I’m a writer, I’m published and I’m selling my self published books and other stuffies... Lol!

Who knows, maybe one day I’ll just scoop up a bunch from my PAD (Poem A Day) posted here, refine them into a presentable manuscript, and do the same. Voila!
You’re all invited to the launch party.


So cheers! Here’s to self publishing. (With expensive champagne)  "Slave Spirit Speaks"/ www.kulangabc.com

Last edited by kulanga (11-25-2007 13:13:35)

Nadine, I'm noticing we've got quite a bit in common. Art Ya hoo! i tried to access your website but unfortunately I couldn't get through... sigh.

I agree, there are many success stories out there about authors who went the route of self publishing , and did quite well.

I also like the wholesome idea of challenging myself, just for the heck of it. And if I make a few bucks or a killing along the way .... well ain't life grand.

Nice, fresh, crispy clean and believable.  Makes me feel I can step right into the scenes and feel at home. Nice Quilt.

Thank you for sharing. 

www.kulangabc.com  Expect lots of ins and outs and blogs and stuff.

K

Last edited by kulanga (11-17-2007 18:21:11)

"Once a man twice a child." I've heard it said.
Past fifty, it's play time again. Finger painting, chalk, crayons, acrylic , but my favorite at the moment is  oil. What mediums do you use?

And.....
That old crumbling barn
with its gray weathered boards
A tree grown so tall it goes out of your pad
There's that old wrinkles man
and his old crooked house
I'll go on till I'm dead
But can never paint all....

Hi Alice, I love love your wonderlandzzing.

I agree it's about  shifting paradigms, realizing you have something of value to give, thoughts that will hopefully make a difference,  a ripple in universal mind.
Many of the great books published, as Nadine already pointed out, were self published. Thankfully the authors believed in the content enough to be propelled right off the "traditional" tracks.

I am really excited about the prospects you outlined, the possibilities are endless. Ah! the stuff dreams are made off.
More writers need to shift prospectives and step out of the old proverbial book box.

"Prince Charming Publishing" can be a real  frog pond.

Likewise, self publishing can be an up hill battle, but at least you're the captain and you know what the fight  is about.

From one of the response I've had, ( in my account)  there seems to be a feeling that there's something shameful in selling one's own self published book.

Well! I think if pride is what keeps one from self publishing, being rejecting a million time by the "traditional mill" is a far more damaging blow to self-esteem than  peddling a self published book. In fact it's quite fulfilling to sing "I did it my way"

If someone dares to call your baby ugly... So what? You gonna stop having your beautiful ugly babies?
Might be the next  ugly president.

Last edited by kulanga (11-18-2007 10:12:58)

Roisin,
I've had a blog at lulu. com going on two years now. I've put up some of my art there and I've been seriously considering publishing one of my books with them. Lulu is one of the best I've seen out there. I don't know about "outskirtspress" but I'll take a look.
Thanks for sharing.

As far as selling self published books goes; if you create a market for your work it will sell.  That's why companies advertise.  Word of mouth is a good cheap adv strategy.  Use the local news paper, church,  community functions, donate a copy here and there, become friendly with your local book stores, create hype depending on the subject or the genre of your book.  If it's a product you really believe in, then you'll sell it.

Don't go kicking on Barns&Nobles stable doors  when you know they  won't let you in. Unless, you've got something they can't refuse.

And for God sake! Have fun sharing/selling/ marketing your creation.  It's a great accomplishment writing and publishing a book.

Last edited by kulanga (11-27-2007 10:37:40)

Roisin, we are all still sitting in our Ivory towers creating our great masterpieces. The problem is  in this the 20th century, we can no longer wait for prince charming to come kiss us awake and rescue our masterpiece. 

Prince Chairman is now looking for progressive-20th century chicks with a wide awake vision, while keeping an eye on the bottom line.....

I'm polishing my gems here at tower TNBW..... then, "I goin go climb down those there stairs and find me a self publisher...."

Who knows, I might even run into  Mr Chairman (prince charming) on my way there, or find him sitting at his large gleaming mahogany office desk.....tee heee!

Last edited by kulanga (11-27-2007 14:50:27)

Roisin, if you would just "settle for being read" then you could  print up your best book and give it out to every one you know, or meet on the street. However, this still will not guarantee that the receiver will read your book.

Writing, to me, is a business .....  I try always to write the best I can. Publish the best way I can (by any means necessary). Market the best I can. Then sell! sell! the best I can with the hope that my reader will like the product enough to read it and come back for more..... so I can become rich and famous.  (Monetarily speaking)

When I decided to  publish I felt strongly that I had something to say that would be a contribution and bring enjoyment to the reader.  I also felt really excited about the prospect of being a published writer. I'd been a business owner for many years so I felt self publishing couldn't be much more difficult.  I rose to  the challenge.
 
In the process I  looked around for the best ways opened to me,  at the time, to present my work to the public. I found self publishing a good match.  Self publishing has served me well and I  hope other writers will eventually make use of the wonderful resources now available.

Having a baby is wonderful, but  parenting( ie. caring for and raising the child) should be an even more enjoyable experience, despite the mistakes, disappointments, and sleepless nights nights...

Becoming a Writing is parenting a book "successfully". Enjoy the ups and the downs.


And speaking of writing and publishing, why not stop by Writers FM?
http://www.writersfm.com/

Last edited by kulanga (11-28-2007 12:13:58)

Welcome to the discussion M.K.
The Celestine Prophecies was one of my pivotal books at the beginning of my spiritual journey. James Redfield is among my favorite authors. It's so easy to go off on a wild adventure with him.

Indeed the list of self published authors and books are endless.

Last night I was listening to Joe Vitale, one of our modern day guru, on self publishing and I'm amazed that the illusions and the illusive dreams of "traditional publishing" still persists in the face of such phenomenal success stories....

The routes to publishing are many. The goal is publication.  See you at the top.

K.

HI all!
I printed Gladys Tripalong Private Journals via Createspace and was very pleased with their finished product. I have a couple of oportunities to edit and fix and the cost was all told (under $350) plus 2.45 each book I wanted to purchase.

I am ready to self publish my second book but hesitate to go back to createspace.

Why!

Because they do not pay out royalties cheques under $100.00

And, as opposed to the US participants, I also have to pay shipping to Canada, which doubles the price of my book.

So.... I'm looking around.  Any new suggestions?

Much appreciate all the information and suggestions I've read so far:   Irene
irenskie@telus.net.