Self-Publishing

[Novilia]

I am interested in self-publishing. I have no idea how to do this or at least I have a very vague idea. I am even wondering if it is a good idea to self publish. Is it a stupid move?

I would highly appreciate any comments or suggestions on this topic. Thanksness.

[DamaNegra]

The first question would be, why do you want to self-publish?

I've been reading around, and self-publishing implies spending a lot of money, so if you don't have it then it's not a good idea. Plus, it's harder to sell the book because you are in charge of all the marketing and promotion and such, and that's quite tiresome, and it also implies spending a lot of time on it, so if you don't have it then it's not a good idea.

But who am I to talk anyway? I've never published, I'm just telling you what I've read or come to conclusions about. Hope it helps.

[Cathy C]

Welcome, Novilia!


Honestly? Since you're posting this in Writing Novels, I'd have to say that it would be a difficult thing. Nothing is "stupid." After all, it's your book, your time, your money. But novels are particularly difficult to self-pub in, because it has so many strikes against it from the get-go. You should wander over and read some of the threads in our Self-Pub forum. I think you'll find more answers over there than you even knew you had questions!

This thread, in particular, had a lot of good info:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17921

And this one gave a whole bunch of really SUPER information, from all aspects of the business:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19304

Good luck, and feel free to ask any more questions that you didn't see the answers to!

:D

[maestrowork]

Read Dan Poytner's Self-Publishing Manual. And after that, if you still think it's a good idea, go for it. Now, if you're equating vanity press with self publishing, then good luck.

[Mike Coombes]

Ask yourself one question - with no backup whatsoever, how many copies do you think you can sell?

[citymouse]

Novilia, please check your private messages. I have included some details about self-publishing. My experience that this topic stirs a lot of diverse opinions but little else.
Michael