For Me, Success Isn’t One Size Fits All: Embracing the Unconventional Path of Self-Publishing
Hello you wondrous story readers and writers. My name is Rebecca Heidt, and I’m here to share my wins, knowledge, and failures with you all. I’m the self-published author of the “Acceptance” series, which is being turned into a 5 movie saga starting with “Secrets of the Warrior” that I’m the writer, director, and producer for.
Stepping away from all of that, let’s talk about self-publishing. A question I get often is why did I self-publish over traditional publish. If you know me (which you don’t yet) you’d know that I research everything possible in both areas for hours to learn what I can. It’s an easy positive side to my ADHD and Neuro-spicy mind.
I want to be clear here: Please don’t be disheartened by this information. I write this so authors who have a fantastic story can tell it on their timeline and have a better idea what they’re doing/getting into.
This is what I found:
Traditional Publishing:
- You have to query for the publisher and, if you want one, a literary agent.
- They sometimes give you an advancement check before the full publishing and they chose the book price
- The advancement check is that, an advance of your book sales. Meaning when you start selling copies you don’t get the money they do until the check they gave you is covered
- Traditional Publishing fine print can sometimes own your story rights. Meaning if you want to do an audio book of it you have to get their permission, or if you split from them you can’t write any more books with those characters. (not all Trad Publishing is like this, read the contracts VERY carefully)
- There are hybrid publishers out there that publish your work and help you market but don’t keep your rights for a portion of the profits
- They distribute your book, they’d be using their name as a brand
Self-Publishing:
- You’d pay/handle the formatting, editing, marketing, pricing, and all decisions (It’s possible to do this all around $500-$600)
- You don’t need a literary agent, but can still get one
- Excluding distribution (from online companies) and printing fees, you get all profits
- You can be your own distribution center but would mean you’d have to handle packaging, mailing, and keeping track of readers
- If you have your book listed with Ingramspark you can be part of author signings at Barnes & Noble and reach book stores world wide
- You’d be building your name as your brand
- The story is yours to do what you’d like with. You can turn it into a comic, audio book, movie, etc.
- Register your book with the Congress of Library or whatever authority you have in your country to certify you’re the owner
This leads me into a dual point for both. When it’s a series, some readers don’t want to buy the first book until they know that the second is almost done or out. Sometimes traditional publishers won’t release your book one until book two is well on its way.
Through all of these words remember the golden rule (that I’m making up right now): SUCCESS looks different for everyone. You just finished a chapter? You’re AMAZING. Just got your book cover done or revised to something you love? I cheer, cry, and laugh with you. When you are self-publishing we make our own deadlines based on those around us and what we THINK they should be. Take your time with your art, give yourself and the art the love it deserves. As long as you have the love for your characters, the story you’re writing, and knowing that it will help someone out in the world, that’s the only motivation you need. Not everyone around you will understand or help you. Regardless of the nah sayers, DON’T GIVE UP. YOU AND YOUR STORY ARE WORTH IT. Also find new people that support you, we don’t have time for the folks dragging us down in their jealousy and envy. But I regress, that’s a different topic for the future.
Readers, we adore you and your passion, and asking that you support self-published authors as much as you can. Support social posts, comment to us, talk about our stories, if we make a public appearance visit to say hello (we don’t see people very often just the computer and notepads).
Support each other with love and kindness. We’re all struggling in some way, love, kindness, and understanding is the support all of us need. No matter where we live.
From my screen to yours, until next time!