In Roman numerals that is!
I had to think long and hard for a topic beginning with X. These letters towards the end of the alphabet are a challenge. Then I finally remembered that ten in Roman numerals is represented by the letter X.
But what could I write about ten? Eventually I decided on a list of ten things. And since my blog is about my self publishing journey, what better topic to write about?
So today I’m going to share ten reasons I love self publishing!
- It’s quick. You still need to do all that writing and editing, but once it’s done, it’s a matter of 24 hours (probably less), before your book is available for everyone to see!
- No one is going to reject me because ‘that type of story isn’t in fashion at the moment’.
- I don’t have to spend ages researching how to write a query letter, then researching again every time I submit to a new publisher.
- Marketing – my way. I was sold on self-publishing the day I read that even if you are signed through a traditional publisher, you’ll still have to do your own marketing. What does a traditional publisher have to offer then?
- I can fix any typos and mistakes I find in minutes.
- I can try different marketing strategies, change the blurb and cover at any time, without having to justify myself to anyone.
- Data – I have full access to all the download data on my books, including who is buying them and where from.
- Royalties – as a self-published author, I see 35-70% of my books cover price. Way better than traditional publishing royalties.
- It’s all mine. All the glory and accolades (of course, the opposite is true too, no one else to blame for the mistakes)
- Control – I have control over my cover, what changes I make during editing, the price, what stores it’s sold in, what promotions I will do.
How about you? Do you self publish? Do you have any advantages of self publishing to share, or do you want to counter with some advantages to traditional publishing?
All this month I’m participating in the A-Z blogging challenge, writing a blog post for each letter of the alphabet, on every day of the month except Sundays. Check back regularly to see what else I have in store for you.
Great top X list. I don’t self-publish, but I think number four and eight are the best reasons. If you have to market, you may as well do all of the work (the writing is never actually the work, the marketing is) and make a higher percentage of the profits.
So true Nana Prah. Getting a higher percentage of the profits is always good!
I was surprised though, to find that I enjoy marketing. I didn’t expect to! But I’m not sure I would enjoy it if I wasn’t doing it on my own terms.
The data and royalties seem like the big attractions to me. There are many elements of publishing, such as covers, where I have no expertise and wouldn’t trust myself to self-educate, even though I try. I do think we share credit for our successes, though – Amazon, for instance, has glommed fame from every person who succeeds on their service and strengthens their brand every time.
Definitely, there are aspects where I ask others for help (covers and editing it is for me), but even so, when it comes down to it, I have the last say. If I’m not happy with the cover, it doesn’t go up!
Xcellent use of X
I’ll be making a note of the top ten for Lizzy’s book 🙂
Ohh, a book for Lizzy. She’s such a wonderful character, I’ve loved reading her story throughout the challenge.
Yes, I self-publish too. At this point in my writing career I think the perks you listed far outweigh the hassles of traditional publishing. The last thing I want is a publisher breathing down my neck with deadlines and such. 🙂
Ohh, deadlines. That’s another good thing about self publishing! At least if I don’t make my deadlines, I only have to deal with myself!
Great to meet you through A-Z!
Good luck with your books.
Thanks for calling by Carol. You’re blog looks fascinating.
This is a good list. You’re clearly very happy with self-publishing and it works best for you. Do you feel all the work going into self-publishing has paid off? I’ve heard that being in charge of everything can get overwhelming at times.
Hmm, I guess it depends what you mean by paid off. Nope, my novel hasn’t become an overnight bestseller. (Darn.) But it is out there, and I’m happy with how it looks, and how people are reacting to it.
I’m in this for the long haul. I figure I’m not going to be making a good amount until I have several books out, so I’m just working towards that, and having fun in the meantime.
X is a tough letter but you made it work. Sounds like there are definite advantages to self-publishing that would appeal to me. I’ve done a couple of cover illustrations for authors who are currently self-publishing, it’s a fascinating process.
Cover illustrations are always one of the tricky bits, and having to do them youself often puts people off self publishing. It is fascinating, learning a little bit about each of the processes that help put a book on the (virtual) shelves.
Just found you through the A to Z and love what you did with X.
Great blog, too. Best of luck with your books.
Barbara
Y is for Yesterday (quotes & motivation)
The Daille-y News
Thanks Barbara. Lovely to see you here.
We live in a time where self-publishing is not only possible and easy, but cool and desirable. Not so, 10 or 15 years ago when self-publishing meant you sucked and were the dregs of the writing industry. Maui Jungalow Practicing my hyperlinks : )
That’s true. Self publishing has changed so recently, and I think it’s going to bring us some great books that we would otherwise have missed!