By Michelle Griep, @MichelleGriep
When I first started writing, landing a traditional publishing contract was the only way to go if you didn’t want the big stink-eye or your name blacklisted. Self-pubbing was for losers who clearly couldn’t write well enough to attract the attention of “real” publishers.
My, my, my . . . how times have changed.
Nowadays it’s the trendy thing to do. It’s not a guaranteed bajillion dollars, but I know a few authors who are making some serious bucks. Money aside, though, are 5 reasons for you to consider if you should self-publish your really-well-written-and-edited manuscript.
1. Control of Content
This is a two-sided coin. On one side, you have the absolute freedom to write whatever you want to, address whatever issues you feel like the world needs to hear. You choose all the content, whether inside the cover or out. The flip side is that the editorial buck stops with you. Grammar. Flow. Plot. You are responsible for any glitches.
2. The Cover
I’ve seen some butt-ugly covers in my day, lots of them on traditional books and on those self-published. The difference is that the self-pubbers are shooting themselves in the foot because they have absolute control over how their book is presented to the public. Traditional authors are allowed some input, but honestly, not a whole heaping lot.
3. It’s on Your Timeframe
The only deadlines for self-publishers are the ones you set for yourself. That means your turnaround time from start to finish can be 48 hours if you like…though I do NOT recommend it. But you don’t have to wait for a publisher to get back to you with a cover jpeg or even to answer your email. The hourglass is in your hand and you can turn it over when you want to.
4. Marketing
Either self-pubbed or traditional, you are going to have to market your book. I know. It sucks. You’re a writer, not a salesman. But the bonus about marketing a story you’ve published is that you choose where the marketing hours are spent. You make the connections. You sell the book. And it makes sense because you’re the one who’s most passionate about your story.
5. It Gets Your Book Out There
If you wait around for a traditional publisher to offer you a contract on a silver platter, you might be waiting a very long time, especially in this current market. And so will your potential readers. But if you self-pub, you can get your story up on Amazon lickety split.
So far I’ve only self-pubbed one book but it certainly won’t be my last. If you’re hesitant about giving self-publishing a whirl, here’s a little nudge for you. Jump on in. The writerly water is fine.
There’s Often a Fine Line Between a Criminal and a Saint
Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, and A Heart Deceived, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.