Thursday, May 21, 2009

Come Learn From the Experts! If You Haven't Learned Your Lesson Already

Publishing veterans Diane Mancher and Karen Mender are launching Self-Publishing Book Expo, an event that will focus on self-published books and the companies that produce them. SPBE will offer attending authors a place to exhibit and sell their books to the general public--and agents and publishers . . .
This is as far as I got before I snorted so hard I dropped my sandwich (and it was a good sandwich!). "Agents and publishers" are going to attend, are they?

Then again, I might be tempted to go (in disguise) just for the stories I could bring back. But only if I can get in free.

The website is here http://www.selfpubbookexpo.com/

15 comments:

Skeptic said...

You'll have to let everyone know what they're charging publishers/agents to attend (should any actually inquire), since they don't have the fee posted on the website.

I'm curious, now. (Thanks - just what I need!) ;)

Anonymous said...

"There will also be a special Open House for 'Would-Be Authors' open to all attendees."
Who could resist?
"General admission: $15.00: "Publishers" get a captive audience who pay for the privilege of hearing their pitches! What a concept!

none said...

And they truly see no irony in "self-published books and the companies that produce them"?

Anonymous said...

Huh. And I thought self-pubbers just came to my bookstore and harassed me when they wanted a captive audience.

Ebony McKenna. said...

I snorted so hard I dropped my sandwich (and it was a good sandwich!) Of *course* plenty of agents and publishers will be there. Just like loads of agents and publishers visit those websites where they charge writers to display their manuscripts.

. . . Someone's sure to accuse me of being a slush-pile half empty kind of person . . .

wormat said...

This just makes me sad.

Jo Treggiari said...

I'm trying to maintain an open mind about self-publishing but it's hard. It may well become something truly legitimate in the future (and exiting and ground-breaking) but right now it seems to be a bunch of companies taking advantage of would-be writers and relieving them of their cash.

Jo Treggiari said...

oops..that would be "exciting" not "exiting"

Anonymous said...

What's scary to me is how seasoned the "founders" are. They really seem legit; what happened to them?

Sarah Laurenson said...

Hm. I've heard self-pubbing thoughts a lot lately from local writers. And when we were discussing the CSK, I came across a few places where self-pubbing was recommended for writers of color. Hm.

I suppose this is an attempt to legitimize it or rake in the dough from writers who are looking for that non-traditional and (supposedly) easier path to success. Hm. And using traditional publishers' presence as a lure? Hm.

shell said...

What kind of sandwich was it?

Sincerely,
Sandwich Girl

Chris Eldin said...

YAY!
Blogger approval is turned off. And I am turned on.
purrr....

Haste yee back ;-) said...

Dear EA,
If I self-pub, would you consider editing my intended title?

Price is up to you!

Haste yee back ;-)

PurpleClover said...

This is so sad for those aspiring writers that aren't aware. Spending their money thinking they will get to network with agents and publishers. Very wrong and very sad.

Anonymous said...

If only I'd known this earlier, I'd have proposed my own session: "Title Pages: What They Are, What They Do, and Why You Need One."

[Spooky that my word verification for this one is paysmsel]