IWSG SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2018 Publishing Paths
IWSG SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2018
INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP
FOUNDED BY
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Writer’s supporting, encouraging and learning from each other. Post on your own blog about your struggles, your triumphs, and your successes. Talk about your works in progress the good, the bad and the ugly or some other writing relating topic on your mind. Read others, interact, comment, and grow within this wonderful author community. Every month there is an optional question for those who may need help figuring out what to post about.
The 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Theme:
Masquerade
A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren’t. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.
Submissions accepted: September 5 – November 4, 2018
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges who will be announced September 5.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.
OUR BOOK SELECTION FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER IS:
THE ART OF MEMOIR BY MARY KARR
This one is for our memoir writers and anyone who has ever thought of writing a memoir. The discussion will start September 19th and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you’re able. Join Us.
DISCUSSION
September 19th, Join Us.
Optional IWSG Day Question:
I will probably start out Self Publishing and/or Indie Publishing but I would like to do traditional too. I am still putting some thought into that area, weighing pros and cons, and learning all I can about all three avenues.
Biggest Pros and Cons (catch 22) for Self Publishing. These 3 make this a winner in many ways. There are No trumps just preferences. What you will do and what you won’t do! Quality and skill level are on you to be professional, and/or invest for those services so your book stands up to the quality test your readers’ require to keep them coming back. It is all up to you. Make a great first impression by taking the time and doing the work starting out.
- Autonomy-freedom from external control or influence; independence.
- Publish Immediately & All decisions and mistakes belong to you. (No waiting or asking permissions)
- All rights and royalties belong to you. (BUT so does all the work and responsibility +you have to learn (or pay for) the skills and knowledge you don’t possess to present a professional book, launch, and promotions. Quality editing, cover, blurb, launch and keywords KEY. Expect to make mistakes even at your best performance, expect to fail so you can learn, but don’t quit-persistence is the road to success even if it takes years.
- And you wait for pay but it all belongs to you when it arrives. No middlemen only what you put out for services to make your book its best.
Indie Publish: I don’t know a lot about Indie Publishers but this is something I will be looking into as well. “Book packagers combine aspects of small presses and printers, but they are technically neither small presses nor printers. The majority of small presses are independent or indie publishers, meaning that they are separate from the handful of major publishing house conglomerates, such as Random House or Hachette.” ~From Wikipedia about Indie Publishers
- How to Evaluate Small Publishers—Plus Digital-Only Presses and Hybrids by Jane Friedman
- Author Beware-What to Look for in an Indie Publisher – Kristen Lamb
Traditional
- You can say you have been signed by a publisher. (They call all the shots. Your input and control is minimal to nonexistent. They have the reach and access that you don’t when you start out.)
- You know your book will be seen in bookstores, generally. (BUT you are expected to promote and develop your own following just like the Indie now. What they do is very marginal.)
- You can learn to work under contract, to deadlines, and edit, edit, edit. You will develop skills of patience and compromise. You will wait and redo and redo.
- You will be paid up front, but when your book sees the light of day might take a while, so return/earnings slow to manifest. AND if they don’t manifest as expected/projected your book/characters will probably be consigned to the nether regions forever or a really long time. Getting rights back will depend on the contract you signed and what you agree to long term. Here is where patience comes in again.
- There is a sweet side of pride connected to validation that goes with saying I sold my book to this publisher, especially the big names.
- Accept the fact the life of your book could have an expiration date on availability when someone else holds the rights, and limited revenue returns in the future.
- There is something about it that makes you feel like a professional going into it and boosts confidence and excitement.
- There is more I am sure but these were off the top of my head.
WRITER’S GAMBIT SPOTLIGHTS IN AUGUST
New Release in series, Blood Instinct by Marie Lavender
J.H. Moncrieff
October 3, 2018 @ 11:30
To me, hybrid is the way to go. It’s the best of both worlds.
As for input, you’re right that traditionally published authors have less input into their covers, etc., but how much the author has really depends on the press. All the presses I’ve worked with, including Harlequin, have given me a great deal of input and been amazing to work with. One size doesn’t fit all, especially in this industry.
Victoria Marie Lees
September 12, 2018 @ 12:51
I’m terrified of this step, Juneta. Thanks for the breakdown. There’s just so much to learn and know. All best to you!
Gwen Gardner
September 10, 2018 @ 15:51
Lots of good pros and cons here. In the end it’s a personal preference. Have a great week, Juneta!
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:11
Thanks for stopping in. You have a great weekend too or rather hope you had one, lol.
Lynn
September 10, 2018 @ 12:39
Hi Juneta, I appreciate seeing the pros and cons neatly explained. The path is so individual; trial and error, refining each decision. I wish you continued success with your writing and publishing path. I’m sorry my commitment is tardy.
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:10
Wishing you great success too. No worries. Mine on your blog was tardy too.
Jacqui Murray
September 10, 2018 @ 10:39
Sorry I’m so late. Somehow, I wasn’t subscribed (though I could have sworn I was–sigh). I took care of that!
I agree with every one of the self-pub pros and wasn’t aware of a few of the trad pub pros. That one–being able to say you have an agent–that’s a biggy!
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:09
No worries. I was late on your blog too. Glad you got that sorted. I am subscribed to your blog too. Yeah the agent thing would be great.
mpaxauthor@gmail.com
September 8, 2018 @ 12:07
I love self publishing. It can be frustrating, but there’s no one to blame but me. I’m building an audience, which is something I need if I ever go traditional.
admin2
September 10, 2018 @ 21:51
And that is the big thing now with traditional they expect you to bring an audience just like self publishing.
Toi Thomas
September 7, 2018 @ 20:55
Happy Belated IWSG Day!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
I think you have it all laid out here. You make a good case for either path, or both. I think that’s what cool. We can pursue either or both of these paths.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for the recommendations.
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:08
Happy IWSG to you too. Thank you for stopping too. I agree. Having choices totally change the game.
Arlee Bird
September 7, 2018 @ 17:40
You make a good case for going either way, but your best point that it’s a matter of preference. I think some books might be better done with self-publishing, but being with a publisher does give a book a heightened sense of credence. Just seeing a book with my name on it as author would be cool.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:07
Yes. I love the fact we have choices that allows to do what feels right to us. Thanks for stopping by.
Kalpana
September 7, 2018 @ 03:34
Self publishing sounds like the best bet for people like me. Thanks for providing clarity Juneta.
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:06
You are welcome.
chemistken
September 5, 2018 @ 21:55
Being traditionally published may give your bragging rights with your friends, but your readers won’t notice or care for the most part. If you want control of your books, you have to go indie. If you just want to write and hand off the other stuff, then you go traditional. I’m going indie because I think it’s my best route to success.
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:06
You are so right Ken. Thanks for chatting with me.
Olga Godim
September 5, 2018 @ 20:28
Personally, I’m leaning towards self-pub these days. It is all about priorities. What is important to you dictates your choices. And thank god, we do have choices now. The internet is a wonderful thing.
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:05
Me too. Does the happy dance for choices.
Crystal Collier
September 5, 2018 @ 18:53
It was definitely more exciting to be traditionally published a decade or two ago, but I guess all things change, eh? We have to be adaptable too.
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:04
Agreed. The more adaptable we can be I think the better we will probably do.
Karen at Reprobate Typewriter
September 5, 2018 @ 17:43
I’m dodging this question entirely on my blog, but I’m always watching the numbers (when I can get them.) Have a great IWSG Day!
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:03
You too. Thanks for stopping by
emaginette
September 5, 2018 @ 16:25
You make traditional look pretty sweet. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:02
I mostly listed the pros, but they all have their sweet spots. I lean to self-publishing or Independent Publishing which some refer to as Indie Publishing. Me always thought of Indie as being self-publishing. Thanks for giving me a shout out.
cheriereich
September 5, 2018 @ 16:18
It is probably easier to get into bookstores and libraries with a traditional publisher, but I hear even that is difficult these days unless the publisher is pushing your books hard. A lot of marketing falls to the author, no matter which route they take too. The best thing is we have options and aren’t limited to any one path.
admin2
September 11, 2018 @ 18:00
You are so right. Thanks for stopping by.
Natalie Aguirre
September 5, 2018 @ 12:39
You are so right in that there is no right or wrong way to go. Just pros and cons for each choice. Doing both like you hope to can be a great balance.
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:44
The whole landscape of publishing is still changing even as other things settle, so balance may be key along with multiple streams of income.
spunkonastick
September 5, 2018 @ 11:50
Indie publishing still means self-publishing to me. DLP may be small but we are still a traditional publisher.
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:43
No slight intended. I am totally impressed with DLP.
In fact that is what I thought that small publishing was traditional publishing. But when I started reading I saw where the definition used by several articles had changed some so checked Wikipedia and that was what it said.
I agree the definition is incorrect but something to be aware of when reading and trying to analysis and gain helpful information.
.
Loni Townsend
September 5, 2018 @ 11:34
Great lists of pros and cons!
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:45
Thank you.
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh)
September 5, 2018 @ 10:24
There are good points for both. I wouldn’t have done as well with my books had I gone alone though.
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:47
That is a good point but I know some who did not do well the other way either, so I think it depends on the individual and finding the right avenue for you. It is hard to know what is going to work for you. Hoping to get lucky and have both work for me. We shall see.
Christine Rains
September 5, 2018 @ 10:01
Great points for each type of publishing path. There’s good and bad on both sides. I had not-so-wonderful experiences with traditional publishers, and I’m much happier going my own way. I like the freedom and control.
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:49
You are awesome. I have been impressed with your journey.
raimeygallant
September 5, 2018 @ 09:45
This discussion is really eye opening. Bringing up sides of the issue I hadn’t considered before. Thanks, Juneta!
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:50
Thank you for visiting me. There are definite pros and cons for both. Just a matter for finding the right fit for you to create that magic. I
patgarcia
September 5, 2018 @ 08:18
Hi,
I too am thinking about going both routes, traditional and self-publishing. I took a self-publishing course from the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers this summer and would like to publish a collection of my flash fiction. It is something I am heavily thinking about.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:52
All the best to you. I hoped you learned a lot that will really help you in your course. Wishing you much success.
Angela Wooldridge
September 5, 2018 @ 07:30
Nice balanced look at the options, thanks Juneta 🙂
admin2
September 5, 2018 @ 12:53
Thank you and thanks for visiting with me.