Why is there a problem? Indie Pub vs. Traditional Pub
For those of us authors who are on various lists like Sisters in Crime and Murder Must Advertise and many others, an ongoing rather hostile battle has been going on between the two kind of publishing.
Those who are published by traditional publishers--the New York variety--look down with disdain on the indie published. Indie published can mean anything from self-publishing in the many ways of doing that these days and including various forms of e-publishing. And of course the others strike back with all sorts of arguments which I'm not going to bother to go into.
There is also the independent small publishers who may fall into one of the other categories or not depending upon which side you happen to be on.
The traditional publishers don't feel that those who are self-publishing or with small publishers are getting edited making their book inferior. (Frankly, I've read a lot of New York published books, especially by big name authors, that suffered from lack of editing.) They also proudly announce that they make far more money and have much more prestige. (Probably true except for a few e-pubbed authors who have figured out the secret to promotion.) Oh, and there's also the fact that an e-book doesn't smell like a real book. (I don't sniff my books.)
I think small presses should be looked at by themselves. Of course some small presses are better than others. Most of them now do e-books and trade paperbacks. Most small presses have editors and hire professional book cover designers. I think all my book covers are great and look better than many of the New York publishers' book covers.
No, I don't make much money, but though it would be nice, that's not why I write. I write because I have to write and I'm thankful I have two publishers who are willing to publish my books. I don't want to learn how to do that--even though it's much easier and less costly than it used to be. I do a tremendous amount of promotion for my books--something that most authors do no matter who publishes them unless they are a big name. Oh, there is publicity for the big names, but they didn't have to pay for it or arrange it.
And now to my point, ranting and raving about the differences and which one is better isn't going to change anything. However you're published, be thankful and move on. Write the next book. Plan the promotion. Be writing another book while you're promoting the last one. Not only be grateful to your publisher, but also to your readers.
That's how I feel. What about you?
Marilyn
Those who are published by traditional publishers--the New York variety--look down with disdain on the indie published. Indie published can mean anything from self-publishing in the many ways of doing that these days and including various forms of e-publishing. And of course the others strike back with all sorts of arguments which I'm not going to bother to go into.
There is also the independent small publishers who may fall into one of the other categories or not depending upon which side you happen to be on.
The traditional publishers don't feel that those who are self-publishing or with small publishers are getting edited making their book inferior. (Frankly, I've read a lot of New York published books, especially by big name authors, that suffered from lack of editing.) They also proudly announce that they make far more money and have much more prestige. (Probably true except for a few e-pubbed authors who have figured out the secret to promotion.) Oh, and there's also the fact that an e-book doesn't smell like a real book. (I don't sniff my books.)
I think small presses should be looked at by themselves. Of course some small presses are better than others. Most of them now do e-books and trade paperbacks. Most small presses have editors and hire professional book cover designers. I think all my book covers are great and look better than many of the New York publishers' book covers.
No, I don't make much money, but though it would be nice, that's not why I write. I write because I have to write and I'm thankful I have two publishers who are willing to publish my books. I don't want to learn how to do that--even though it's much easier and less costly than it used to be. I do a tremendous amount of promotion for my books--something that most authors do no matter who publishes them unless they are a big name. Oh, there is publicity for the big names, but they didn't have to pay for it or arrange it.
And now to my point, ranting and raving about the differences and which one is better isn't going to change anything. However you're published, be thankful and move on. Write the next book. Plan the promotion. Be writing another book while you're promoting the last one. Not only be grateful to your publisher, but also to your readers.
That's how I feel. What about you?
Marilyn
Comments
Marilyn
There was an article in the Wall Street Journal recently about how difficult it is to get picked up by the big guys. Why should good writers have to push aside their dreams solely because their names aren't part of the establishment?
Hope you and your family have a great Christmas, Marilyn.
Merry Christmas to you and your family too, Cheryl.
Marilyn
I agree. There shouldn't be a problem, especially since so many of us cross over from one arena to the other.
Marilyn
Marilyn M.
For me, the line is between self publishing and "being published" - by any size publisher. I just want the satisfaction of knowing a professional publishing house (NY or indie) thought my work was good enough to print. And I really do want to be in print (as oppesed to e-only) because that's always been the dream.
But for everyone else - hey, do what works for you and more power to you.