We are writers. Most of us either are or will be independently published. As indie writers we have now reached the status of being legit- earning the stamp of approval, right? We don’t have to make excuses, explain ourselves when we say we are indie published, or do we?
Please hear me out in this fictitious story based loosely on a real conversation…
An author friend of mine, who has several books traditionally published, recently had her rights reverted to her on her first book. When I found out I was so excited for her, for the new opportunity she now has to indie publish – gain new readers, have control over her book and more. I almost jumped out of my seat and said, “This is great isn’t it? Now you can publish it yourself.”
If only you were there, and could have seen the look on her face. It was as though I told her to strip naked and run through the streets with a neon sign hung around her neck.
Complete silence.
“There are a ton of great ebook cover designers, formatters and editors that I would be more than happy to set you up with,” I continued trying to explain myself. “Really, I could walk you through the whole process. It will be so much fun too.”
She adjusted herself in the chair opposite of mine. An eyebrow raised. A closed mouth.
Trying again to encourage her, and of course help her experience the success and fun of being an indie published author, I went on. “I’m telling you, I will guide you every step of the way. This will be great. Your readers will love being able to get your book again. And new readers can discover you as well. Plus, to have control over your own book, be way more profitable….”
Finally, she politely said to me, “I’ve decided to let my new (traditional) editor have it. Right now I am rewriting it for them to publish in their new line.”
I can’t remember her exact words, but she eluded that indie publishing had a stigma she wanted nothing to do with. That indie was not seen as a legitimate, nor professional, move for authors who wanted to be taken seriously in the industry. Please do not get me wrong, she is a great person, a fantastic writer, and a dear friend. However, she is still hanging onto the old school publishing train of thought.
I understand that thinking, at one time I felt the same way as well. Please know, I respect her decision. And I am not picking on her, but providing this story as something indie published authors may still face.
It’s Your Turn, WG2E-Land: What do we do? What do we say? Has something like this ever happened to you when people find out you are indie published?
Being what some folks refer to as a “hybrid” writer – in that I still publish regularly through my traditional regional publisher as well as e-publishing as an independent and/or semi-independent author – which makes for a heck of a tax return and why don’t they leave more space in that occupation bracket) – I have run across this bias before.
(and if that last sentence did not scan properly just try squinting one eye – the left one – and reading it fast because I have not had my coffee yet)
But I’ll tell you, Lois – I’ve run across just as many traditional publishers here in Nova Scotia who sort of sidle up to me at literary gab-fests – and – when they think that everyone else is squinting their eye in the other direction they’ll ask me – “So how are those e-books working out for you?”
People are beginning to wake up and smell the coffee.
(oh golly, I want me some coffee)
Publishers are beginning to wake up and smell the coffee.
(Again with the caffeinated metaphor? Why in the hell does awareness have to relate to the smell of coffee? Why can’t we just say – wake up and smell the Javex. That’d wake me up!)
I will tell you one thing.
I have ALWAYS distrusted people who sit there smugly upon their laurels – (and have you ever tried to sit comfortably upon a laurel bush? them things are thorny, I’ll tell you what.) – and tell you that there is ONE TRUE WAY!
For now I remain content with the mental image of me in a long mysterious-looking trench coat sidling up to unwary bookstore browsers and whispering – Psssst – Wanna buy an e-book?
(and if you don’t remember that from Sesame Street you really ought to go and get yourself a good strong cup of Javex)
Too funny- loved your thoughts and comments mostly sitting on laurel bush:) Indie is legit, and we are authors who write great books. Period.
They can have their smug. I will take my 70%.
I love that- Yes said so well)
Here’s the thing, Lois…
This does happen all the time…BUT…it comes, like it did for you, from other writers…NOT READERS.
And here’s the even more important thing…
Readers simply don’t care who publishes a book. They just want great books for great prices.
When is the last time you’ve heard a reader ask “oh, I’m dying to read that new Random House book” or “I’ve gotta have that new book by that new indie author”…probably never, right? LOL!
Readers ask each other what they’re reading, getting title and maybe the author’s name too. They search on Amazon (and other online stores too…and they search a lot more than they go into bookstores) by the genres they like or perhaps even certain elements in a book – like say witches or bootscootin. They participate in online reader-focused blogs – like our RG2E and larger ones like ENT (Ereader News Today) – and find new books that way. They browse sites’ FREE Ebooks, trying a new author they’ve never heard of because the cover is great and perhaps the blurb is good and it’s FREE, so why not try it. They get an Ebook Gift Copy from someone, maybe even the author.
That’s how readers find books. They certainly don’t ever ask “has this been published by someone I consider a legit publisher?”
Now, when a fellow writer, because again, it’s never a reader, expresses what your friend did to you, I simply say:
“More power to you. But here’s the thing. Readers don’t care who publishes a book. They simply want great books at great prices that they can download from their couch while in their pajamas. And they want as many as you can crank out as soon as you can get ‘em ready. They don’t want to wait for one or two per year. Can your publisher give ‘em that?”
DD, I will copy your quote “More power to you. But here’s the thing. Readers don’t care who publishes a book. They simply want great books at great prices that they can download from their couch while in their pajamas. And they want as many as you can crank out as soon as you can get ‘em ready. They don’t want to wait for one or two per year. Can your publisher give ‘em that?” and keep it with me to read (I’ve never been that great at memorization:) to those who question my indie pub:)
The tradi-pub attitude is annoying. I could see why a traditionally published author might want to go that route if it is available to them. Editing and polishing your work that last step between final manuscript and edited one is a ton of work! The other stuff … formatting and cover design … gets easier after you’ve done it a couple of times … but taking a dispassionate second-look at your own work and cutting it to the bone is not for everyone. Nor is the marketing. But thy holier-than-thou attitude that anything that comes out of a traditional publishing house AFTER those steps are done is really getting tiresome. Just stick the darned thing up on KDP or Smashwords and be done with it! The tradi-pub isn’t going to invest another penny in the book so why give away 90% of the proceeds?
Oh my goodness yiou said it so well and it so true “The tradi-pub isn’t going to invest another penny in the book so why give away 90% of the proceeds?”
This is true. As is D.D.’s comment about the reader not caring. Most don’t. I recently asked my publisher if I could have the erights to my first novel and she gave me a choice between putting it up myself of letting her company do it. It would go out with some library offerings, I think she said. I shared my choice with facebook friends. Interesting responses. The non-writers all said to do it myself. One traditionally published author said she’d put her own earlier works out as ebooks and offered me advice and links. Another told me “self-publishing is the kiss of death.”
The real reason I’d posted was to get a sense of how my fellow traditionally published authors would react as I knew I was about to self-publish my third novel after having two with a traditional publisher. The Fishers of Paradise, has been out a month now and I can feel the cold shoulder on facebook. Well, it’s more a stepping away, don’t want to be associated with you feeling. I’m talking facebook here, I could be imagining things. But I don’t think so.
One bright moment. I jumped into the middle of a facebook thread that started with complaints about self-published authors crying the blues. Then I offered to gift my book to the author who started the thread. She was excited to read it, halfway through wrote on my fb wall that it was “unputdownable!” and has since said she’ll review it for me when done, that it’s a great book. And she is now seriously considering ebooking her own earlier books.
Rachel- congratulations on both your traditional and indie published books:) And yes I have heard this way too many times and hope it goes away like a bad dream “Another told me “self-publishing is the kiss of death.”
Unfortunately, your friend and some of mine are still of the belief that the only way to publish a book is the traditional way. No matter how successful we become we will always be seen as the red headed step child by these people. It’s really too bad for them. They already know they are good writers, they have a reader base and could be wildly successful as an indie.
You said exactly what I felt when talking to my friend: “They already know they are good writers, they have a reader base and could be wildly successful as an indie.”Great comment- thank you:)
How come if an indie musician signs with a label, s/he’s a “sell out” but if a writer DOESN’T sign with a publisher, s/he’s not legit? There’s some serious literary hubris going on.
Hmm I never thought about how it is seen as a sell out for an indie musician to go big label, but the opposite still has a hold for authors. Thanks for the comment Violet:)
I love that you made this connection! Literary hubris is right. Well said.
Right on!
I belong to an RWA chapter that is exceptionally welcoming to indie pubbed authors, but I still get the squirm in my stomach as all the writers in my group are being scooped up by small presses and a few even to the big six. It’s hard to beat the prestige of being associated with the tried and true publishing route that has been the brass ring we all aimed for up until a few years ago.
I had one of my friends, a highly acclaimed trad pubbed author, once say to me, “You’re so good, you deserve to be traditionally published.” While I was tickled pink that she thought I was a good writer, I was also discouraged by the attitude that I was in some way giving up or settling for being indie. I’ve had several discussions with her, and although she would never consider walking away from her trad empire, she is very respectful of the hard work that indies do, she just doesn’t get that it is simply a business decision for me. I write to make money, and see that in the long run, I can make more doing it on my own.
Even in the short run, sometimes.
Yes this is the thought “While I was tickled pink that she thought I was a good writer, I was also discouraged by the attitude that I was in some way giving up or settling for being indie” PJ you are so right:) thanks for the comment:)
A published friend of mine who has a top agent and publisher recently offered to pass my book on to both her agent and publishing house. You should have seen how her jaw dropped on the floor when I politely declined! I explained that I love indie publishing because… well, I love being independent, and all that it represents. For me, the freedom of indie publishing outweighs the prestige of traditional publishing any day. It’s a lifestyle choice, first and foremost. (And the royalty rates ain’t bad, either. )
Riley what you said is how I feel too:. “You should have seen how her jaw dropped on the floor when I politely declined! I explained that I love indie publishing because… well, I love being independent, and all that it represents. For me, the freedom of indie publishing outweighs the prestige of traditional publishing any day.”
It’s interesting that, even after publishing several books, your friend still doesn’t have the confidence in her own work to see it as “legit” all by itself. In fact, she has to REWRITE a book that’s already been published (by another traditional publisher) to get a second traditional publisher to publish it again. And she sees nothing wrong with this.
*shakes head*
Kudos to you for offering to help her, but sometimes people have to figure things out for themselves. And sometimes, that’s the best thing for them.
Susan it is because of what you said “your friend still doesn’t have the confidence in her own work to see it as “legit” all by itself. In fact, she has to REWRITE a book that’s already been published (by another traditional publisher) to get a second traditional publisher to publish it again. And she sees nothing wrong with this.” that I tried to encourage her to indie publish. but… well… you know.
I get the impression that some in the traditional industry have a psychological need to look down upon indies, because it makes them feel superior. Given that many traditionally published authors do not make much money, the insecure ones among them may value the idea of being part of exclusivity over the trickle of their income. It’s like insecure people who marry for prestige.
Mimi- although the times and thinking are a changing – we still find those who think traditional equal professional and indie well not so much.
I chose to go through a small press for my first book (I had four offers to choose from, and I do believe I picked the best one) because I needed that stamp of approval from some sort of gatekeeper. I needed someone else to believe in me. The small press experience hasn’t been bad at all, but seeing the level of control and money indies have made me decide to pursue the indie route for my second book. Sure, I’ve had to invest a chunk in developmental editing, but that’s fine with me. That was something I wanted to experience to improve my writing.
Like DD said, it’s other authors, (the ones who didn’t have a legit indie avenue to break into publishing when they started) who are still turning up their noses. And I think it’s because they (Sue Grafton’s obnoxious interview is a perfect example) see it as unfair that we don’t have to jump through the same hoops, and if we don’t jump through those hoops, then we’re simply not as good. Bull. Traditional publishing right now is about marketing – many, many authors are getting turned down by agents who love the book but don’t think they can sell it, and that’s because of how the Big 6 have geared themselves. And readers are missing out on those books unless the author decides to go indie.
Choosing to go indie is as much a decision for readers as it is for writers, IMO.
Whoa- you said “Sue Grafton’s obnoxious interview is a perfect example” I love Susan- now I have to see what she said in that interview. It sounds as though I may not like what she said though…
Yes, it was pretty bad. She did issue a statement later, but I found it hard to believe she had no idea about the indie publishing issues.
Here is the interview (which was done by an indie author, I believe):
http://louisvilleky.com/2012/08/louisville-author-spotlight-welcomes-sue-grafton/
Here is her apology: http://louisvilleky.com/2012/08/more-from-sue-grafton-on-publishing-indie-writers/
You can Google “Sue Grafton self-publishing” to see a lot of the reactions.
See, I respect Sue Grafton, and I think she is an incredibly talented writer. But here is what I just don’t get. There is plenty to go around, abundance in everything in life. Including readers. We should hold hands and help each other out whether trad or indie, or novice or experienced etc. Not build walls,….I am afraid to read the article because it may change the way I see her as a fellow author and because I am such a fan of hers as well, but I am going to read it anyway. Thanks for the heads up and link Stacy:)
I feel the same way. I don’t know if she (and other trad pub authors who’ve said similar things) are threatened or jealous or a combo. It’s all very sad, because there is room enough for everyone, and putting out great books for the reader should be the number one priority.
You’re welcome:)
Since having been previously traditionally published with 16 books, I have not gotten any raised eyebrows about going indie (which I started while still being trad published). I have seen author colleagues be dropped and spend years trying to find another publisher…years in which their unpublished manuscripts could be making them money. The hard truth is that in today’s market, if you are dropped by a publisher it is usually for less-than-impressive sales, thus making it difficult, or even impossible, to move elsewhere, because your numbers can be checked with a simple phone call to the distributors. You would have to either come up with a spectacular idea or change your name! But to go indie or not go indie is, like anything else, a personal decision. We all have to do what feels best for us as individuals.
First- wow- 16 books?!!! Congratulations! and great points about: “The hard truth is that in today’s market, if you are dropped by a publisher it is usually for less-than-impressive sales, thus making it difficult, or even impossible, to move elsewhere, because your numbers can be checked with a simple phone call to the distributors. You would have to either come up with a spectacular idea or change your name! But to go indie or not go indie is, like anything else, a personal decision. We all have to do what feels best for us as individuals.” thanks Bettye:)
Great post, Lois! I really hate this whole snobbery thing going on. Having been published both Trad and Indie I can vouch for the fact that a dedicated author works just as hard on a book no matter which way it gets published.
Are there some Indie authors who put out a poor product? Yes. But I’ve read good and bad books on both sides of the aisle. And the fact that authors like Eloisa James and even Lee Childs are offering Indies of their work shows that your friend and peeps like have their heads in the sand. In fact, a traditional publishing e-newsletter I get regularly has just begun listing Self-published bestsellers!
Alicia- so true: “the fact that a dedicated author works just as hard on a book no matter which way it gets published.” thanks for the comments:)
Alicia, I meant to include that (about working hard no matter what mode of publication) in my post as well. I know *I* do, and I know I’m not alone!
Are musicians who sell CD’s out of their trunk and upload to iTunes any less a musician? Or what about the film industry where independent films are CELEBRATED?
Great post Lois.
Of course they are celebrated, right Liz? so we should also celebrate out indie careers because we rock too:)
What D.D. said
All of the comments are wonderful- this proves that once again things are changing, and with change often comes strong feelings as well as opinions . However, I believe in less than five years, perhaps sooner, there will be no more trad vs indie right wrong etc train of thought. We will all just be published or unpublished. Period.
What everyone else said, including Alison.
You got that right:)
I haven’t pubbed yet (1st book coming out 1/2/13), but I recently attended the Romance Writers of America Conference in Anaheim and experience this bias first-hand. I was sitting at lunch with a couple of mavens of traditional publishing with probably 200 books between them. Oh my gosh, were they ever anti-epub! To hear them tell it, epubbing was the kiss of death if you ever wanted to be a “real” author. Their attitude made me want to pursue indie publishing more than ever.
They’re just scared, Michelle. Scaring others gives them job security. Some day they will learn there was nothing to be scared of. Good books are good books no matter how or who publishes them.
She’s a book snob! No other word for it… Even though she knows Indie is looked upon with new eyes, she’s the sort of person (not a case of lacking confidence in her own work ) that would rather see her book posted on any e-book publisher site (and earn bugger all) than become an Indie/self-published author. Most of the on-line e-book publishers are rubbish at editing and rubbish at marketing, and authors need to be very choosy in who they submits to…
best
F
Francine- great points “she’s the sort of person (not a case of lacking confidence in her own work ) that would rather see her book posted on any e-book publisher site (and earn bugger all) than become an Indie/self-published author” Why give up your control and money and hand your product (book) to anyone else, it just doesn’t make a lick of sense does it? Thanks for commenting.
Oh my this is so true. If I’d let those thoughts stop me I would’ve never reached my dreams. I remember biting at the bit when I was a teenager to go to the college to collect ‘Indie’ books I knew I couldn’t get on the bookshelves.
There will always be that stigma out there. At least for a long long time. But the bottom line is 90% of writers aren’t getting the BIG BUCKs that allow them to have a mansion and a yacht with traditional publishing. That ship is a hard sail for writers nowadays.
Therefore, it’s in any authors best interest to evaluate their work, see what markets work best for it, be honest with themselves – (let’s face it many authors don’t want to promote their books themselves and feel that having a traditional publisher – or large publisher will ensure them startup) and if they are patient and want that for their work – so be it.
We have choices now, even if we decide not to cash all of those choices in.
LM- yes- never let the thoughts stop you in fulfilling your dreams. Thank you so much for all of your great comments too:)