Comments on: Why We Should All Hug a Self-Published & Indie Author

By: Real Writers Don’t Self-Publish | Kristen Lamb's Blog

Real Writers Don’t Self-Publish | Kristen Lamb's Blog — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:00:31 +0000

[…] Self-published authors have largely been responsible for many of the most beneficial changes in publishing history. Check out Why We Should All Hug a Self-Published/Indie Author. […]

By: Article Review: First Experiences | Rainy of the Dark (Rainy Kaye)

Article Review: First Experiences | Rainy of the Dark (Rainy Kaye) — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 04:14:25 +0000

[…] As a side note, the post is pretty long, which I tend to shy away from because I know attention is fleeting, and twice so on the Internet. But this one is good. Check it out. […]

By: Alligator Pie

Alligator Pie — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:15:45 +0000

[…] Kristen Lamb, author of the bestselling We Are Not Alone—The Writer’s Guide to Social Media and Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer recently suggested that we all hug an self-published or an indie published author. Check out her blog post to find out why. […]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:54:09 +0000

Great post! But then I’m biased because I’m a self pubber :P. I think there is some perception – as you made reference to – that us self pub people are somehow lazy no-talent hacks. And, deep down I think, a lot of self pubbers have internalized that kind of thinking. Or they go the other way and think the self pub route is like being able to print your own money straight off your laptop. But once it all becomes apparent that we can’t all be an Amanda Hocking or Mike Hicks, it’s easy to get discouraged and want to give up.

…but on the flip side I think self pubbers bring some of the vitriol on themselves. Like the ones who attack the traditional publishing industry, or who claim that now that we can upload anything we want there is no NEED for editors to rain on everybody’s parade and tell them their book sucks (if it does indeed suck). Trad pub or self pub…it isn’t an either or dichotomy. It’s about making the choice that’s best for YOU and the work you’ve put so much effort into creating.

I picked self pub b/c I wanted more creative control, a bigger slice of the royalties, and because I wasn’t confident I could do creative work well within the constraints of deadlines. Plus, I’m a self starter and I’d like to own my own business. I would be writing anyway, so why not see if it can’t bring in a bit of cash flow? Haha

By: Fire At Warp 10 (January 5) | Marcy Kennedy & Lisa Hall-Wilson

Fire At Warp 10 (January 5) | Marcy Kennedy & Lisa Hall-Wilson — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:34:10 +0000

[…] Why We Should All Hug a Self-Publisher and Indie Author – Kristen Lamb points out how self-pubbed and indie writers are the trend setters that forge the path for the rest of us, regardless of whether we choose to go it traditional or on our own. […]

By: kimterry

kimterry — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:44:19 +0000

In reply to Linda Adams. I hear you on all counts. In reading the responses to Kristen's blog, I'm starting to feel like I'm among kindred spirits in my re-defining the publication of BY HER DAUGHTER'S HANDS.

By: robertatrahan

robertatrahan — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:53:08 +0000

Kristen–couldn’t agree with you more :), and love that Hannibal quote. The very best opportunites in any marketplace arrive during times of great change. With an entrepreneurial attitude, and great advice like yours in hand, many authors who might otherwise have given up their dream will find a way–or make one!

By: Stacy Green

Stacy Green — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:09:02 +0000

I’m so behind on this post, but I wanted to thank you for sharing. I’m in the querying process, and I’m hoping for an e-publisher, but I haven’t ruled self-publishing out. It’s definitely an option, but I’m fearful of making a mistake with it. I do think one of the keys is having a backlist or several books ready to release, which I don’t have…yet. As I hone my craft and experience querying, I’m going to learn more about self-publishing and see what happens.

By: Anthea Lawson

Anthea Lawson — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:22:54 +0000

In reply to Author Kristen Lamb.

Do a POD copy (mine are through CreateSpace) and set up a signing with your local Indie Bookstore – that’s what I’m doing! The store is very supportive, and I know I’ll sell at least 50-75 copies of the book that night, which will make everyone happy. 🙂

By: Catherine M Wilson

Catherine M Wilson — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:43:23 +0000

Indies have been celebrating the ability to make an end run around the gatekeepers for awhile now, but I think the most important and most revolutionary aspect of indie publishing is that writers can write what they want to write without having to adhere to the “rules” of traditional publishing.

The difference between writing for an agent or an editor or a publisher or “the market” and writing the story you want to tell in exactly the way you want to tell it is HUGE!

I knew my book, which I made into a trilogy, was too long for traditional publishing, but I tried anyway. In 2007 I queried over 80 agents with no result while educating myself about self-publishing. When I learned that a traditional publisher had control of the cover, the title, and could insist on changes to the book’s content (take out the lesbian stuff), I happily created my own publishing company. In the three years the books have been out, I’ve earned twice as much as I would have earned from a traditional advance, and the books are just starting to take off.

Catherine M Wilson
Shield Maiden Press
http://shieldmaidenpress.com