Yesterday’s comments inspired a visual aid that I think best communicates one’s goal of publishing and the routes available to you via traditional publishers and self-publishing. Traditional Publishing Self-Publishing
Previously I had posted about reconsidering self-publishing as a viable strategy. This was not, as is so often the case, a response to a query rejection. It was prompted by a strategic decision made by my company (a publisher). This was hard to accept for a couple of reasons. 1) Traditional publishing had been my…
Way back when, I meant to pursue a career in the United States military. At first I thought the navy and then found my place with the army. I was in an ROTC program, but because I had not started from the beginning, I was required to go to Camp Challenge (or basic camp). It’s…
Joseph Garrety spent the last month reading only self-published work. He blogged about his findings. I think this is a very good assessment and doesn’t show a bias one way or the other. (Though I expect I would be far less forgiving on the lack of quality. I am equally harsh with traditionally published works…
I have–to this point–been consistent regarding my opinion of self-publishing and its relevance to my own career. That opinion has not been very positive. For all the anecdotal examples that are bandied about the internet of self-publishing success, the majority of self-published work (in my own anecdotal exploration) is atrociously bad. Of course it is.…
So after a very direct post telling you to publish for the money, I turn around and say I’m not in publishing for the money. …okay, I’m not only in publishing for the money, and I doubt you are either. I’ve been a long-time fan of George Carlin and even got to see him for…
There is some common wisdom shared among authors that has gotten twisted by the internets, like playing a game of operator/telephone (depending on where in the country you grew up–basically a message is relayed through a number of people and it warps with each passing). The very wise advice was, “Don’t quit your day job…
Pearson, Inc is the parent company that owns Penguin and Pearson Education. They are the world leaders in trade and educational publishing, respectively. It also owns the Financial Times, Dorling Kindersley, and other ventures. Their 2010 numbers were just released. One point in particular is of relevance to people like you and me: Last year…