Yeah, that's why I procrastinated going the self-published route for so long. Had a professional editor look at and line edit my book in 2008, who told me - this is really good, but you are going to have a really hard time getting anyone to publish it for you - because it is so quirky.
Which was true. I'd send it off to contacts in publishing that liked my writing, but couldn't handle the dark snarky comedy - not their genre.
My response to my brother? Well, I have an acquaintance whose book I actually proof-read at one point, who won an Edgar Award, got a mention by Oprah on her network or magazine, but still can't make it into a book store and is well doing so-so. (Her books just don't stand out from the crowd.)
Then there is Amanda Hocking. Who self-published a bunch of YA paranormal romance novels. She had no job. Little money. Used her savings to publish the books, and launched a kickstarter campaign, requesting people buy them so she could go to a big Jim Hensen Muppet Convention/Exhibit. Within six months, she sold over 200,000 copies. And of course, EL James of 50 Shades, who ahem, published it as WIP on a Twihards fan board, then ironed off the serial numbers, tweaked it a bit, self-published through an Australian publisher - and made billions. She did launch a major marketing campaign though - and had a huge fan following.
And, sigh, my family.
* Cousin Casey - who has self-published a new adult romance, that is well doing okay, but not great. * Uncle P - who has self-published 8 paranormal YA Christian novels, marketing and business books * And my Dad - who has self-published 6 mystery novels, which make about 1000 if that a year. He did it before it was cool. Went the agent route first, the agent couldn't get it anywhere, so did it himself. He sucks at marketing though. * Sister-in-law - who has published two craft books, one through a publisher, the second herself. Neither did that well.
LOL! There's a lot of frustrated self-published writers in my family.
My friends have also self-published...it appears to be the thing to do?
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branchandroot
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Date: 2015-04-11 02:03 pm (UTC)Which was true. I'd send it off to contacts in publishing that liked my writing, but couldn't handle the dark snarky comedy - not their genre.
My response to my brother? Well, I have an acquaintance whose book I actually proof-read at one point, who won an Edgar Award, got a mention by Oprah on her network or magazine, but still can't make it into a book store and is well doing so-so.
(Her books just don't stand out from the crowd.)
Then there is Amanda Hocking. Who self-published a bunch of YA paranormal romance novels. She had no job. Little money. Used her savings to publish the books, and launched a kickstarter campaign, requesting people buy them so she could go to a big Jim Hensen Muppet Convention/Exhibit. Within six months, she sold over 200,000 copies. And of course, EL James of 50 Shades, who ahem, published it as WIP on a Twihards fan board, then ironed off the serial numbers, tweaked it a bit, self-published through an Australian publisher - and made billions.
She did launch a major marketing campaign though - and had a huge fan following.
And, sigh, my family.
* Cousin Casey - who has self-published a new adult romance, that is well doing okay, but not great.
* Uncle P - who has self-published 8 paranormal YA Christian novels, marketing and business books
* And my Dad - who has self-published 6 mystery novels, which make about 1000 if that a year. He did it before it was cool. Went the agent route first, the agent couldn't get it anywhere, so did it himself. He sucks at marketing though.
* Sister-in-law - who has published two craft books, one through a publisher, the second herself. Neither did that well.
LOL! There's a lot of frustrated self-published writers in my family.
My friends have also self-published...it appears to be the thing to do?