I think that the egos of artists are too big for this little planet. Publishing is not as difficult as it seems. The truly, really, indeed difficult thing is to write an outstanding book, something so good that it kindles the will to read it, a work so valuable that no one could deny it. Let's get down to work!
Couldn't agree less. Publishing medium to large is a racket, controlled by hyper-inflated, fearful Good People. The list of authors exiled from agents and publishing houses is pages long. Only Rowling has escaped the scythe, for obvious reasons. Yes, we must write great things and Bazerque is brave to go it alone, little knowing the work involved after printing is done but please, gatekeeper, your comment reads like Kafka to me. You know the scene I mean.
A lot has changed in the last five years. The trade publishers are suffering and the mood in the industry is pretty dark. Many redundancies, frozen wages, imprints folding at a high rate. People I've spoken to in the industry sound like insiders at Meta or X - depressed and pessimistic. Nowadays, a trade publisher's not going to even consider taking you on unless you've already established a sizeable following on TikTok or Instagram and can demonstrate sales. The stigma on self-publishing you're talking about is a thing of the past. It was true ten years ago, not any more. Get seen, get read, get known, any way you can. Then approach trade publishers with your stats to back you up. That counts more than the material itself now. It's a completely different game, so far as I can tell.
Finding a space for your artistry, overall, is such a heavy thing and can be a lonely road. I am considering self-publishing to get the ball rolling, as a sort of portfolio, with aspirations for more after that.
I am grateful for the community sense of Substack to reflect on these topics you’ve brought up here. It’s like support group….for artists.
The ironic thing, in my case, is that i work in publishing in a purely analytical and organizational role …… and the pivot to create and complete my manuscript is the most daunting task of all. Sincerely.
Ive literally just started putting my writing out in a public arena... here... and my goal is just to have anyone read any of it at all and let me know how bad or good it is and thus improve. im not expecting to get anything published in the traditional block buster loads of brass sense so for me self publication is the only realistic option at the moment and finding places that would run with my misreable short stories... even that is a challenge! one day i hope to finish one or other of my novels but for now getting better at the short story is the goal and meeting interesting talented people here... which is not proving difficult!
I actually think self-publishing will become more popular in the future! Traditional print and faith in standardized institutions is on the decline at the moment, while independent work and self-publishing are on the rise. I definitely relate to you about worrying about the stigma, but I honestly think it is already decreased and will continue to do so! I hope that you publish all that you dream of no matter how you choose to publish.
Agree that trad media is on the decline. Most people don’t read lit mags anymore, except the writers who want to publish in them. As for book publishers, they are still king, but probably not for much longer. The publishing world will surely change dramatically within the next ten years.
I opted for the traditional route for my poetry - and now a contract with an independent publisher in London called Palewell Press. After some thought it was a simple decision- I wanted the validation!
I really like the idea of focusing on your goals, even if it’s just to keep hitting publish. Self publishing or the big studio equivalents, writing is a craft. Who cares about platform as long as personal goals are being met?
I am fortunate enough to have editing experience, and my husband is brilliant at type-setting. Between us, we were able to produce two very respectable volumes, which we sell via kindle and print on demand.
I like that I have complete control over my work. I see my writing as an art. As such, it is intensely personal. I am not interested in catering for the needs of an assumed audience, the way the publishing industry is geared. I would like to make more money from my writing, but at the moment that is not the main goal.
Personally, I have serious trust issues and am not ready to hand my work over to someone else unless I can fully respect their insight and opinion (and vice versa). I have proved myself with my writing. They are going to have to prove themselves by discerning the art behind it.
Once I finish my trilogy, I might consider approaching a publisher.
Given that my work will outlive me, I am playing the long game.
The trust thing is the biggest reason I self published my book, Without a Spark. https://a.co/d/gFI0x86
It's my story, and although it's fiction, it draws deeply from my own life. I couldn't bear the thought of editors making adjustments that would make it more saleable, but take away from my message in the process. That cost would be too great.
But if I make a name for myself, I may consider other options, since I'll have more say in the structure. But even if I never make a name for myself—even if I never become a "successful author"—I don't think I will ever regret protecting the integrity of my story.
“Nobody knows anything.” One of the more famous screen writers, William Goldman said that. Although he said it last century, now it is even more relevant with the changes driven by AI occurring in all forms of media. So; Invent your own rules. Keep writing. Most of all, plan for occasional poverty. Humbly.
Yeah, I really am turned off by the whole gatekeeper thing. My poetry doesn't fit in with any of the literary mags or contests or publishers I've been able to find. I'd rather be an Ogden Nash than a Percy Shelly; not that I don't like Shelly but for me writing verse is fun! I, like you, would rather be a craftsman than an Artist.
I’m really curious about your novel. Hopefully you’ll publish at least some of it here. In any case, I remember when you first posted a note about this, and it really changed my thinking about the subject. There are so many opportunities out there, if one is open-minded enough. Mind you, there is also an imprint Tom Cox publishes with, that works essentially like Kickstarter. They’re a fundraising publisher, but they handle the editing and art and marketing the way any trad publisher does. And what’s more, if it gets funded, by the time it hits the shelves, your book will already have an audience! The press is called Unbound, and seems very interesting.
Love this Remy such bright reflections, and as you know, you’re right! There’s loads of stigma in doing your own thing and going your own way. Very few outside of your own community will even recognise what you do as something “real” but if your goal is to live off writing, you’ll have a much greater chance of doing so if you skip the gatekeepers who’ll keep the majority of the money anyway (and for what? For you to feel like you succeeded when you still need to hustle to pay the bills… I always thought having an illusion of success must be way worse than doing your own shit and seemingly “fail” but living in financial freedom)
It’s a bold move to take and I salute you for it (you know that). I also think art is subjective as much as books are subjective, what touches one might not touch another and so on.
And lastly on the self to trad publishing… there are loads of stories with people who got discovered and traditionally published later on (most likely with better conditions!)
Yes very much thank you! It’s paradise here this time of the year truly. Had a lovely weekend in Paris last week too though, do you go back from time to time?
This is such a big topic. I don't think the stigma is as significant as it once was. Many, if not most, prizes will now consider self-published books, as long as they are publicly available for sale. Distribution is your next big connundrum. You need to get the book into bookstores...into the hands of readers. I think the most appealing thing about self-publishing is the total creative control: words, length, cover, marketing, distribution, title, all of it. Of course, there is no profit splitting either. Its a choice, one that writers should really think about--just as you have done. It sounds like you have really weighed the pluses and minuses of both options. Your genre has a loyal audience. Bon chance!
I’ve been privileged to be published in the traditional route several times as well as later chose to not take up deals and set up an imprint myself. The joys of freedom!
I read this glorious piece about Anais Nin and how she subverted the publishing industry. Super inspiration.
An inspiration to me, as last century there were very few female creators to follow. I moved to Paris in 1975, to read The Second Sex in French. Inspired by the glass panels over the doors of Le Gare d’Orsay, that had been featured in Bertolucci’s “The Conformist”
I think that the egos of artists are too big for this little planet. Publishing is not as difficult as it seems. The truly, really, indeed difficult thing is to write an outstanding book, something so good that it kindles the will to read it, a work so valuable that no one could deny it. Let's get down to work!
Couldn't agree more.
Couldn't agree less. Publishing medium to large is a racket, controlled by hyper-inflated, fearful Good People. The list of authors exiled from agents and publishing houses is pages long. Only Rowling has escaped the scythe, for obvious reasons. Yes, we must write great things and Bazerque is brave to go it alone, little knowing the work involved after printing is done but please, gatekeeper, your comment reads like Kafka to me. You know the scene I mean.
For real. That was a nice try at best. Is dude seriously going to make the argument that blacklisting is no problem?
Obvious reasons is right. No argument earned.
A lot has changed in the last five years. The trade publishers are suffering and the mood in the industry is pretty dark. Many redundancies, frozen wages, imprints folding at a high rate. People I've spoken to in the industry sound like insiders at Meta or X - depressed and pessimistic. Nowadays, a trade publisher's not going to even consider taking you on unless you've already established a sizeable following on TikTok or Instagram and can demonstrate sales. The stigma on self-publishing you're talking about is a thing of the past. It was true ten years ago, not any more. Get seen, get read, get known, any way you can. Then approach trade publishers with your stats to back you up. That counts more than the material itself now. It's a completely different game, so far as I can tell.
absolutely a platform game...the content could be assinine...soon, I think the highest quality content will be found in author-published works...
That's a very interesting insight, thanks Julian.
Finding a space for your artistry, overall, is such a heavy thing and can be a lonely road. I am considering self-publishing to get the ball rolling, as a sort of portfolio, with aspirations for more after that.
I am grateful for the community sense of Substack to reflect on these topics you’ve brought up here. It’s like support group….for artists.
The ironic thing, in my case, is that i work in publishing in a purely analytical and organizational role …… and the pivot to create and complete my manuscript is the most daunting task of all. Sincerely.
One day!
Interesting that despite working in publishing you are considering self-publishing. Thanks for your comment Nikki and good luck with the manuscript.
Ive literally just started putting my writing out in a public arena... here... and my goal is just to have anyone read any of it at all and let me know how bad or good it is and thus improve. im not expecting to get anything published in the traditional block buster loads of brass sense so for me self publication is the only realistic option at the moment and finding places that would run with my misreable short stories... even that is a challenge! one day i hope to finish one or other of my novels but for now getting better at the short story is the goal and meeting interesting talented people here... which is not proving difficult!
I actually think self-publishing will become more popular in the future! Traditional print and faith in standardized institutions is on the decline at the moment, while independent work and self-publishing are on the rise. I definitely relate to you about worrying about the stigma, but I honestly think it is already decreased and will continue to do so! I hope that you publish all that you dream of no matter how you choose to publish.
Yeah it's a scary but interesting period, you are right to mention AI. Thanks for your comment Eleanor.
Agree that trad media is on the decline. Most people don’t read lit mags anymore, except the writers who want to publish in them. As for book publishers, they are still king, but probably not for much longer. The publishing world will surely change dramatically within the next ten years.
I opted for the traditional route for my poetry - and now a contract with an independent publisher in London called Palewell Press. After some thought it was a simple decision- I wanted the validation!
Congratulations!!!
Thank you David!
I really like the idea of focusing on your goals, even if it’s just to keep hitting publish. Self publishing or the big studio equivalents, writing is a craft. Who cares about platform as long as personal goals are being met?
I have written two novels (1 + 1st volume of a trilogy), and chose to self-publish.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Distant-Prospect-Annette-Young/dp/0987435108
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annette-Young/author/B00AWHDR1U?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
I am fortunate enough to have editing experience, and my husband is brilliant at type-setting. Between us, we were able to produce two very respectable volumes, which we sell via kindle and print on demand.
I like that I have complete control over my work. I see my writing as an art. As such, it is intensely personal. I am not interested in catering for the needs of an assumed audience, the way the publishing industry is geared. I would like to make more money from my writing, but at the moment that is not the main goal.
Personally, I have serious trust issues and am not ready to hand my work over to someone else unless I can fully respect their insight and opinion (and vice versa). I have proved myself with my writing. They are going to have to prove themselves by discerning the art behind it.
Once I finish my trilogy, I might consider approaching a publisher.
Given that my work will outlive me, I am playing the long game.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Annette. I like the idea of playing the long game.
The trust thing is the biggest reason I self published my book, Without a Spark. https://a.co/d/gFI0x86
It's my story, and although it's fiction, it draws deeply from my own life. I couldn't bear the thought of editors making adjustments that would make it more saleable, but take away from my message in the process. That cost would be too great.
But if I make a name for myself, I may consider other options, since I'll have more say in the structure. But even if I never make a name for myself—even if I never become a "successful author"—I don't think I will ever regret protecting the integrity of my story.
Exactly. The personal investment is too high. 'Success' is a by-product, not the endgame.
"'Success' is a by-product, not the endgame." I love that line so much.
“Nobody knows anything.” One of the more famous screen writers, William Goldman said that. Although he said it last century, now it is even more relevant with the changes driven by AI occurring in all forms of media. So; Invent your own rules. Keep writing. Most of all, plan for occasional poverty. Humbly.
We all await a particularly unknown future.
Yeah, I really am turned off by the whole gatekeeper thing. My poetry doesn't fit in with any of the literary mags or contests or publishers I've been able to find. I'd rather be an Ogden Nash than a Percy Shelly; not that I don't like Shelly but for me writing verse is fun! I, like you, would rather be a craftsman than an Artist.
*Discreetly googles Ogden Nash*
He wrote “The Termite”;
Some primal termite knocked on wood,
And tasted it; and found it good.
And that is why your cousin May
Fell through the parlor floor today.
That's terrific!
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! I'm sure Mr. Nash appreciates it, too!😁
I’m really curious about your novel. Hopefully you’ll publish at least some of it here. In any case, I remember when you first posted a note about this, and it really changed my thinking about the subject. There are so many opportunities out there, if one is open-minded enough. Mind you, there is also an imprint Tom Cox publishes with, that works essentially like Kickstarter. They’re a fundraising publisher, but they handle the editing and art and marketing the way any trad publisher does. And what’s more, if it gets funded, by the time it hits the shelves, your book will already have an audience! The press is called Unbound, and seems very interesting.
Thanks I should really checked that out.
i like the sound of this...
So do I! It gave me so much hope when I learned it existed.
Love this Remy such bright reflections, and as you know, you’re right! There’s loads of stigma in doing your own thing and going your own way. Very few outside of your own community will even recognise what you do as something “real” but if your goal is to live off writing, you’ll have a much greater chance of doing so if you skip the gatekeepers who’ll keep the majority of the money anyway (and for what? For you to feel like you succeeded when you still need to hustle to pay the bills… I always thought having an illusion of success must be way worse than doing your own shit and seemingly “fail” but living in financial freedom)
It’s a bold move to take and I salute you for it (you know that). I also think art is subjective as much as books are subjective, what touches one might not touch another and so on.
And lastly on the self to trad publishing… there are loads of stories with people who got discovered and traditionally published later on (most likely with better conditions!)
Interesting to know about the shift from self-published to traditional, but I'm not surprised. I hope the Belgique countryside is treating you well :)
Yes very much thank you! It’s paradise here this time of the year truly. Had a lovely weekend in Paris last week too though, do you go back from time to time?
Love your perspective on self publishing. I'm writing a novel too (high five) and dreamabout the traditional route. Yet you make valuable points.
This is such a big topic. I don't think the stigma is as significant as it once was. Many, if not most, prizes will now consider self-published books, as long as they are publicly available for sale. Distribution is your next big connundrum. You need to get the book into bookstores...into the hands of readers. I think the most appealing thing about self-publishing is the total creative control: words, length, cover, marketing, distribution, title, all of it. Of course, there is no profit splitting either. Its a choice, one that writers should really think about--just as you have done. It sounds like you have really weighed the pluses and minuses of both options. Your genre has a loyal audience. Bon chance!
Merci Marjorie!
Part of this conversation between Samuel Lopez Barrantes and Joshua Dolezal is about Samuel’s choice to self-publish his second book after traditionally publishing the first. I found this illuminating. https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/recovery-means-reclaiming-your-creative-life
Thanks for the link, I'll check it out!
Fabulous analysis Remy!
I’ve been privileged to be published in the traditional route several times as well as later chose to not take up deals and set up an imprint myself. The joys of freedom!
I read this glorious piece about Anais Nin and how she subverted the publishing industry. Super inspiration.
Such a great discussion 🗻
An inspiration to me, as last century there were very few female creators to follow. I moved to Paris in 1975, to read The Second Sex in French. Inspired by the glass panels over the doors of Le Gare d’Orsay, that had been featured in Bertolucci’s “The Conformist”
Loved this! 🙏🏻💞