This topic is going around, and because I wrote a monstrous response over in Jim Hines’ website, I reproduce it here.
What I want to do is publish, not self publish. My writing goals run more toward those that a publisher can satisfy.
I want a better shot at long term staying power. I want money to come to me, rather than having to invest in a start-up business. I want some modicum of promotional support.
I want a publisher’s distribution network. I want to network with a stable of writers that write under the same umbrella.
I would like to have my books in book stores. I want to walk into shops and take pictures of my books in the wild, without me having to finagle to get them onto the shelves. I would like readers I don’t have to wrangle with to get.
I would like a shot at writing a book again. I would like to sell a book on spec, rather than having to go through the uncertainty of writing an entire book and hoping it will sell every time.
I want the awesome power of an editor to make my book better. I know that a good editor can work wonders for any writer. I want that partnership, especially because editors are not easy on you. I am grateful for the editors who have worked with me on my published projects thus far, making me more aware that it takes a village–um–publishing company. I want to be pushed.
I am willing to work at it for a few years until I get these things. If it takes less time, groovy. If more, well, at least I like writing, and that’s a good reason to write.
I believe that if you work at it, you hone your craft, you keep submitting, and you listen to good editors and agents, you’ll get there. After all, I didn’t get to the point I am in academia without a few years of work either.
I do have friends who have decided to self-publish, and I think their goals are different than mine. I respect that. What makes you happy is what you should do.
The things I want to accomplish in my writing career are more likely if I follow the route to working with an established publisher.
So yeah, color me patient.
Catherine
“at least I like writing, and that’s a good reason to write.”
Amen, sister.
I know I’m going to have to do marketing when I get published, but it’ll be in conjunction with a department instead of by myself (working in this industry, I’d rather not go it alone). And I won’t have to worry about the distribution.
Especially the distribution!
As a composition teacher who uses peer editing and conferencing extensively, I’d be kind of hypocritical if I didn’t want an editor as well.