tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post4718427696121072130..comments2023-11-03T07:01:16.104-05:00Comments on C. Hope Clark: Screw platform and let me self-publish - I just want to writeHope Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319310910383413396noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-84422971340894951292010-07-15T15:57:30.687-05:002010-07-15T15:57:30.687-05:00I like your two cents, and I tend to agree. I won&...I like your two cents, and I tend to agree. I won't stop writing...<br />Have a good weekend,<br />KarenKaren Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-19641632386539962952010-07-15T10:16:28.095-05:002010-07-15T10:16:28.095-05:00Nice posts. They really clarifythe situation, so t...Nice posts. They really clarifythe situation, so that a writer can choose which way to go with a good picture of the costs and benefits of each type of publishing. I do think one problem is that we, as writers, are all so desperate for validation that it's easy to fall for the flattery component of the vanity presses that charge for what is essentially ego-boosting. If your book is good you can get that with a few readings. You may not make money but you won't lose it either.Notanaturalmartyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18361228133308362276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-41589262532928148102010-07-15T08:12:37.509-05:002010-07-15T08:12:37.509-05:00Thanks for this, Hope. I will be speaking to emerg...Thanks for this, Hope. I will be speaking to emerging writers next week at a conference and will be sure to direct them to read your blog and subscribe to the newsletter. You always offer solid and sage facts and advice about writing that, unfortunately, many new writers, and even established and published authors, are afraid to face, but should, indeed must, in order to thrive and survive this business.Susan Toynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-14243898183088464552010-07-15T00:42:20.016-05:002010-07-15T00:42:20.016-05:00Thanks for those words, Tony. I want people to pub...Thanks for those words, Tony. I want people to publish, but only once they have their homework done and head on straight. It's so tempting to just publish and hope all the rest of the "stuff" works itself out. That's a recipe for utter failure.<br /><br />HopeHope Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17319310910383413396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-37129206100766629742010-07-15T00:02:57.385-05:002010-07-15T00:02:57.385-05:00The publishing business is crazy, and it gets even...The publishing business is crazy, and it gets even crazier/harder to understand if one doesn't realize that there are so many niches or pigeonholes in "publishing" that make almost any publishing method a perfect fit for SOMEONE.<br /><br />I have a business client who has been a self-publisher for about five years. I have done editing, book design, cover design, etc., for two books for her. She has sold nearly a quarter-million copies of her five <i>self-published</i> titles! Now, I can't claim any credit for this. Her books are non-fiction, aimed at a specific and well-defined readership, and she sells through her website, Amazon, and in back-of-the-room sales when she speaks. <br /><br />But MOST self-publishers are lucky to sell fifty copies of their own book, much less an average of fifty thousand copies.<br /><br />When we talk about which publishing model is best for someone, we really have to back up and ask questions like:<br />- What sort of title is it: fiction or non-fiction? Prose or poetry? Self-help?<br />- Have you identified very clearly your target market?<br />- Do you have a platform (a publishing history where you have readers) <b>in the same area as your book?</b><br />- Do you have the time to market and promote your book?<br />- Do you have the expertise to do the design and layout, or do you have the money to pay someone to do that for you?<br />- Do you want to get into the business of publishing, which requires acquiring ISBNs, setting up relationships with printers, getting distribution, making business contacts, handling the accounting and possibly the shipping/fulfillment on your own?<br /><br />Those questions are just the start, really. Publishing a book is a business venture, unless you are simply doing it for self-satisfaction, and then a lot of those questions go out the window--but so will a lot of money, probably.<br /><br />Tony Burton<br />http://www.wolfmont.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016238.post-5601439080095510542010-07-14T23:31:48.658-05:002010-07-14T23:31:48.658-05:00Thanks for those straight words, Hope! Naturally w...Thanks for those straight words, Hope! Naturally we all feel worthy of publication, but you are so right that we have to face facts.Karen O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00805058394962196379noreply@blogger.com