tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post8919417669032339259..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: You Should Self-PublishJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger447125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-78777434589906412512013-07-28T19:10:11.755-05:002013-07-28T19:10:11.755-05:00Joe please have a virtual hug! I have spent TEN YE...Joe please have a virtual hug! I have spent TEN YEARS training and working in a profession that now supports my family and myself very well.<br />However, I am burned out and have been working on writing in the romance genre to take me to a new career. <br />BUT, the bad news about money etc. killed my motivation. My partner keeps telling me my book (so far) is better or at least as good as the commercial fiction he reads...and he reads ALOT...but until now I have struggled to find the energy for something hat probably won't work.<br /><br />SO, you have rekindled my hope and I will again get into my manuscript. Thanks so much!<br /><br />LesleyLesleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32746695978186041092012-09-24T21:41:07.620-05:002012-09-24T21:41:07.620-05:00Thanks Joe for a detailed look on the benefits of ...Thanks Joe for a detailed look on the benefits of self publishing. I am a new writer and am in the final stages of finessing my book (im writing a novel in verse). I wanted to ask you—since im fairly new to self publishing and havnt self pubbed anything as of yet—where would I check for the proper procedures to make sure I dont get screwed in the process. I am looking to self publish it as an ebook style to be available over multiple platforms such as Kindle, Nook, Apple, and other e-book distributors, and id like to do it the right way.<br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br />DavidDavidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-55352676516793292712012-07-24T17:56:52.034-05:002012-07-24T17:56:52.034-05:00I like what you share. I initially thought of goin...I like what you share. I initially thought of going through traditional publisher and talked to some people in the field.<br />Although I would resort to that way eventually, I will start with self publishing just because there is less risk.<br />I don't mind taking longer and building skill of being an author. Print on demand also lowers risks with the $ I have to invest.<br />Once I see how to write and sell some, I can more easily deal with traditional publishers.<br />I respect good writers and intend to be one to make this society a better place for everyone.<br />One of my favorite motto is, "Pen is mightier than a sword." <br />For inspirations you should check out: <a href="http://www.happysandbox.com/inspire" rel="nofollow">happysandbox.com/inspire</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01253479061450336933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50481642125159787452012-07-24T17:54:34.265-05:002012-07-24T17:54:34.265-05:00I like what you share. I initially thought of goin...I like what you share. I initially thought of going through traditional publisher and talked to some people in the field.<br />Although I would resort to that way eventually, I will start with self publishing just because there is less risk.<br />I don't mind taking longer and building skill of being an author. Print on demand also lowers risks with the $ I have to invest.<br />Once I see how to write and sell some, I can more easily deal with traditional publishers.<br />I respect good writers and intend to be one to make this society a better place for everyone.<br />One of my favorite motto is, "Pen is mightier than a sword." <br />For inspirations you should check out: <a href="http://www.happysandbox.com/inspire" rel="nofollow">happysandbox.com/inspire </a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01253479061450336933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81900185008872880872012-07-24T02:31:01.296-05:002012-07-24T02:31:01.296-05:00Hi Joe,
Just spotted a possible typo in the figur...Hi Joe,<br /><br />Just spotted a possible typo in the figures:<br /><br />"Advance = $100,000. But the agent takes $15k, and the advance is broken up into three payments of $57,000 each over three years"<br /><br />3 payments of $28k, I think?Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-24690227767720358232012-03-24T17:55:13.501-05:002012-03-24T17:55:13.501-05:00Dear Joe,
I used to publish a magazine, won a few ...Dear Joe,<br />I used to publish a magazine, won a few awards, ws anthologized and seem to have what they call a 'target audience.' I went through ten years of ______ which included divorce, ect. Now I am writing better than ever, have just finished a novel, both as an E-Book and paperback; but I haven't a clue how to reach that so-called audience. For a moment let's assume I'm the next John Steinbeck -- how do I find the people who would want to read my books?Kevin Hullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10101656814314649846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5631308875535367452012-01-30T13:10:05.674-06:002012-01-30T13:10:05.674-06:00Joe. What a guru you are. I too began with a trad...Joe. What a guru you are. I too began with a traditional publisher, and when they didn't take the third suspense novel, I was lost. Spent too much time resubmitting to other traditional publishers, and waiting. And waiting. I'm with a good small ebook publisher but consider myself an Indie for all that. My books are selling well, and rankings moving up all the time. I hang on your every word. -:)Joan Hall Hoveyhttp://www.joanhallhovey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-87828575843281711502012-01-02T11:43:55.728-06:002012-01-02T11:43:55.728-06:00Thank you for this article. Thank you, thank you, ...Thank you for this article. Thank you, thank you, thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785412450723062315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51889842422330192812011-12-27T11:00:32.674-06:002011-12-27T11:00:32.674-06:00Joe, thanks for writing this, and it certainly lea...Joe, thanks for writing this, and it certainly leaves food for thought. The numbers you tout though seem too good to be true. $200,000 a year? If you don't mind my asking, what's the take-home salary for that? Self-publishing involves a lot of cost: paying an editor, artist, publishing and marketing fees on the delivery platform of your choice, etc. Much of this is handled by your agent/publisher when you go through the big boys and get printed. How's it work for a self-publisher?<br /><br />Keep in mind I'm not disputing your numbers; I'm an aspiring writer who's looking to get a game plan for himself before he commits. I like to make sure I have the total story from both sides. I'm confident about my writing, less so about my business sense.<br /><br />Thanks in advance.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-28146908970115105402011-08-26T04:09:06.165-05:002011-08-26T04:09:06.165-05:00Hello Joe I self-published my book with author hou...Hello Joe I self-published my book with author house but now i came to know that it is a scam, internet is full of it's complaints, there is not a single thing posted in favour of author house....what should i do know......do i approach to a self publisher http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000485292Sattuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933140167850042574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64669252723007030362011-08-26T04:05:58.694-05:002011-08-26T04:05:58.694-05:00Hello Joe I am also self published a book from aut...Hello Joe I am also self published a book from author house but everywhere on the web it is called scam and internet is full of it's complaints can you suggest me something about it. http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=satyendra%20dhariwalSattuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09933140167850042574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53139438354285617222011-08-24T00:41:25.092-05:002011-08-24T00:41:25.092-05:00Hi Joe. I'm writing a book at the moment and I...Hi Joe. I'm writing a book at the moment and I have the advantage of a family member being an editor for a living to fix up my shocking grammar.<br /><br />2 Questions:<br />1) Is it possible to start off with my book being self published online, and then have it picked up by publishers as well?<br /><br />2) I've been told that the Authors name and how it sounds can often affect someones purchasing decision. Do you think the same rule applies to eBooks?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60946100298765786862011-08-23T23:47:44.692-05:002011-08-23T23:47:44.692-05:00Hi Joe. I'm writing a book at the moment and I...Hi Joe. I'm writing a book at the moment and I have the advantage of a family member being an editor to fix up my shocking grammar. I've only written two chapters so far and this is my first book. I'm quite committed and I really hope it doesn't end up in the 90% pile of unfinished books.<br /><br />2 Questions:<br />1) Is it possible to start off with my book being self published online, and then have it picked up by publishers as well?<br /><br />2) I've been told that the Authors name and how it sounds can often affect someones purchasing decision. Do you think the same rule applies to eBooks?James Villingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-65029160389236791132011-08-22T13:35:42.305-05:002011-08-22T13:35:42.305-05:00Wow! Thanks for the insight from someone who's...Wow! Thanks for the insight from someone who's been on both sides.DKhttp://www.designkompany.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-30088614215312896202011-07-04T01:07:42.157-05:002011-07-04T01:07:42.157-05:00I self-published three novels between 2001 and 200...I self-published three novels between 2001 and 2003. I then signed with a so-called 'legacy' publisher and released 4 books over the next 5 years. Now I'm turning to self-pub for my new series.<br />Dedicated ebook reading devices are the catalyst, as far as I'm concerned. Over the years I've read ebooks on laptops, mobile phones and web browsers, but only when the Kindle came along did I finally decide to clear the huge collection of paperbacks from my house.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18306996973609235702011-04-30T10:52:28.995-05:002011-04-30T10:52:28.995-05:00This was JUST what I needed to read! Awesome post....This was JUST what I needed to read! Awesome post...thanks for being so thorough. I'm going back and forth with what to do - mainly because of the aforementioned "stigma" with self-pubbing. I LOVE your line about the readers being the gatekeepers. I'm going to print it and post somewhere. THAT is what I think traditional publishers have lost sight of. And, it reminds me of why I'm writing. Not for them, but for the readers. It's so easy to make it about "them" when you're trying to get noticed.<br /><br />THANKS!Bklosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15445205221951596010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-8131231151857482432011-04-16T17:32:40.808-05:002011-04-16T17:32:40.808-05:00I am ALL over this! I have a niche ebook that sel...I am ALL over this! I have a niche ebook that sells about once a week for $20 and there is nothing like the feeling of checking my email and seeing a new sale. I have been searching for ways to emulate these type of sales on a larger scale, hopefully Kindle is what I was looking for! <br /><br />Three questions -- 1.How often do you get paid? 2. Is there a threshold you must meet to get paid? 3. Can you see your current sales on your account as they happen?All Over Thisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79938875894706983822011-04-15T17:21:15.048-05:002011-04-15T17:21:15.048-05:00I am a newbie to writing and self publishing and I...I am a newbie to writing and self publishing and I have bought in! <br /><br />http://writersannonymos.blogspot.comJonathan Boldthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008706012769266919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2144613392324858982011-04-05T19:41:27.299-05:002011-04-05T19:41:27.299-05:00Love, love, love your blog--and just came across i...Love, love, love your blog--and just came across it recently, thanks to another writer and my mentor! I've been pulling my hair out while trying to set the price for my ebook, Sister of Silence, and think I finally can keep the rest of what hair is left. Thanks to your very persuasive argument, and the mention of Amanda Hocking, I'm probably going to offer it for $2.99. (Unless you think there is an exception to this rule.) Thanks for such an informative piece.Daleen Berryhttp://nellieblybooks.com/sister-of-silence.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23465621281337596852011-03-08T08:44:48.450-06:002011-03-08T08:44:48.450-06:00This was a great post, Joe. I just stumbled across...This was a great post, Joe. I just stumbled across this blog, and I'm so glad I did. I've been on the fence about self-pub for years, but I think it might be time to choose a side. <br /><br />That said, congratulations on your success. Can't wait to read more of your work. :)Marjorie McAteehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04768378733191784118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37876654326390753042011-02-04T12:25:34.078-06:002011-02-04T12:25:34.078-06:00Just a quick quibble with your numbers:
Advance =...Just a quick quibble with your numbers:<br /><br /><i>Advance = $100,000. But the agent takes $15k, and the advance is broken up into three payments of $57,000 each over three years</i><br /><br />Don't you mean three payments of ~$27,000? Because three payments of $57,000 comes to $171,000.<br /><br />Thanks so much for this post, and the other posts on your blog; you make some very compelling arguments for ebooks and self publishing. Your posts are always eye-opening and insightful to aspiring writers like me, and I hope you keep blogging about this for a long time to come. Thanks!onelowerlighthttp://onelowerlight.com/writingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-88233097172061537662011-02-02T11:22:05.100-06:002011-02-02T11:22:05.100-06:00Joe,
I love your blogs and what you do on educati...Joe,<br /><br />I love your blogs and what you do on educating aspiring writers on how to become published authors. I also want to thank you for your frank comments reagarding your sales and profits. Keep up the good work.<br /><br />Also make sure to keep pounding into the heads of every writer and artist that they need to get paid. No matter how small the payment, insist on a commitment and define that commitment. If the content you are creating is worth a buck, then charge a buck. If it doesn't sell, then refine your skills and hone your craft in order to get paid. <br /><br />Content is KING and the creators of that content need never forget to EXPECT some sort of compensation. Indie authors are creating so much free content for Amazon's Kindle right now which is driving sales. Marginal sales they may be, they're still sales. The free Indie content is lowering consumer product expectations while creating a download habit whith benefits only Amazon through increased Kindle sales.<br /><br />Don't give your shit away. Content is KING and every artist/creator that gives their work away only drives the payscale down further. Never give it away, and if giving it away is the only way to move it...either improve by taking your art/craft seriously or move on.<br /><br />Indie authors need to quit providing FREE content. Let Amazon hire writers to create content which they give away (never gonna happen, it's for a reason too), but don't volunteer your content for free.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04073373022087397427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-66547357801429563302011-01-31T16:03:54.884-06:002011-01-31T16:03:54.884-06:00Just Joe Konrath . . . making sense again!
Like o...Just Joe Konrath . . . making sense again!<br /><br />Like old age, self-publishing ain`t for sissies. But it`s a new world for authors out there.<br /><br />Thanks for keeping us on track to take best advantage of it.Wendy Bertschhttp://wendybertsch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-55428252400466477612011-01-22T00:55:51.359-06:002011-01-22T00:55:51.359-06:00If the guys at Google really wanted to prove good ...If the guys at Google really wanted to prove good intent--as apparently the format they've chosen is an anathema to readers, hence they can't stand up to Amazon--they'd invent an algorithm to identify the forum/blog/board posts/messages associated with flame wars, so I wouldn't have to read them.<br /><br />The threat of the "i" phenomenon is what has made Amazon sit up and take notice. That, and that lurking monster in the background slowly building up a database of everything about every one of us. Competition is what's making it better for the consumers/readers. Whether that will hold true for the producers of the stuff consumed is another question. This isn't your standard, Econ100 model of a market.<br /><br />Like Lizzy Ford, similarly suffering from underexposure, I'd like to know if offering free ebooks is the way to go when you DON'T have a backlist (Konrath and Goldberg) or planned series (Sullivan).ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03242190927997728930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38417456934516726132011-01-20T18:23:31.259-06:002011-01-20T18:23:31.259-06:00Great aritcle! Thanks for all the great tips! I...Great aritcle! Thanks for all the great tips! I'll have to thank my friend, Kristen Swensen for sharing the link to your blog. Blessings to you, Joe!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com