The question that I have is about query letters. I know that you need to put in any published work that you have. My question is, what really counts as a published work. My first novel "Redacted" was published by PublishAmerica. I have know come to realize that I got caught up in a trap. So should i mention that in my letters to agents. Or should I just not mention it? It is hard enough trying to get a foot in the door, I don't want to do anything to hurt my chances farther.Look, you wouldn't put your career as a unicorn trainer on your resume, would you? Even if the High Unicorn Shaman had conferred the title on you? Even if you'd paid a lot for the harness and horn polish?
Self publishing is imaginary publishing. It's as much a career credit as that time you traded your cow for those "magic" "beans".
Don't mention it.
31 comments:
Well, imaginary unless you sell 15-20k copies. Then it'd be a credit...
I really appreciate the bluntness of your response. I've been avoiding the vanity presses and now I have even more reason to do so.
I just want to point out that not all self=publishing enterprises are scams of the sort referred to by your questioner. There is reputable self-publishing in which the Author owns the ISBN of the work, and which is not the same thing as subsidy or vanity publishing - although many subsidy houses refer to their enterprises as "self-publishing" to muddy the water. Some legitimately self=published authors achieve respectable sales figures, and I think those credits would be appropriate to list in a query. (If not, why not?)
-Steve
Steve, I'm not sure what you mean by "reputable self-publishing". If the author pays to get their book published (a requirement to buy copies of their book counts as paying), then it is self-published.
It doesn't matter if the publisher was up-front about it, or the author owns the ISBN, or whatever; anything self-published basically doesn't count and should not be mentioned (as it can sometimes even count against you).
Unless, like Livia says, the sales numbers are fan-freaking-tastic. But that's far and away the exception.
But... the magic beans worked! They grew a beanstalk to the giant's palace and Jack ended up a hero and filthy rich. I've yet to hear of this happening at PA.
LOVE the blog! Just picking on your analogy <3 <3 <3
I agree Steve and there are a good number of hard working Authors out there self publishing their work and selling and it's also worth stating that difference between publishing your own work and being caught in a scam. If Self publishing Authors book sales are at say, the 10,000 mark, I would consider mentioning it in an Authors bio or resume.
Thing is, they are SELF publishing, using a printing service and that is not, of course, what Publish America is, as we hopefully all know by now. In this posters case it's PA and EA's advise is perfect. I wouldn't bring up PA at ALL. Very sad but, I think, the correct career move.
Recently, the local news had a feature about an 11 year old published author. My daughter was very excited to see this story. Of course, the feature says she wrote her novel, her parents edited it and then, after getting “good feedback” from some publishers, they decided to self-publish it. I had to explain to my daughter that this was not the same thing as an 11 year old getting a book deal. This was two parents spoiling their child. I was surprised that the news station either misrepresented things for the sake of their feature or they didn’t understand the difference.
Hi Adam and Christine,
Adam, I was trying to make the kind of distinction Christine is referring to. Since I'm not familiar with the details of the process, I didn't describe it as well as she did.
Christine, thanks for clarifying.
-Steve
Mark-- the news does that all the time. Someone sends them a press release "Local Man publishes his Book, makes school visit!" and they act like he's JK Rowling's second coming, but living in OUR TOWN. No skepticism. No digging deeper.
This is why the legacy media is going to die, honestly.
As someone who has self published and recently accepted an offer from a big six publisher, there is not one blanket answer to this question. It really depends.
First and foremost you must have a a well-written and well-edited book. Without that, the rest is moot.
I would say if you have promoted your book exceptionally well, if it has received consistently postive reviews from 3rd party reviewers (book clubs, Midwest Book Review, customer reviews that are NOT family and friends), won an award, and sells well (in the thousands of copies in a 3 to 6 month period - even on Kindle), you could potentially mention that and it won't count against you.
From experience, editors at publishing houses don't frown on self-publishing as much as literary agents do if you can demonstrate your book is well promoted and has a market they can sell to.
Unfortunately, a lot of self published author believe that by virtue of transforming their book into a physical product, that agents will be impressed by it and that's not the case. You really have to get out there and promote and sell it.
Mark Herr @12:41 brings up an issue that I've seen over and over.
I had one YA pubbed by a major house. When I contacted my local paper (mid-sized city) they said they didn't have any room to mention it (they had a small book review section, done by outside review sources). I was disappointed, but shrugged it off because that's how the world works.
Imagine my surprise when, a few months later they ran a huge feature article (with half-page photos) on the front of the lifestyle section about a gifted 18 year-old local "author."
The article quoted her as saying she couldn't "afford" to get an agent, so she just decided to self-publish. Oh, and the cover they chose for her historical prarie-girl story was inaccurate, but that was just "the way it works in publishing."
It's one thing for someone new to publishing to not understand the difference between self publishing and REAL publishing, but apparently reporters -- who work with words for a living, for fuck sake -- don't know, or even care.
I hold no ill-feelings toward the "author" in question, but HOW do these people get that kind of publicity for self-pubbed crap?! In this case she was a very pretty, homeschooled girl. The amount of photos and raves were staggering -- quotes from her family, friends that had read her book, etc.. I remember one photo in particular (there were MANY) of her feedng her horse, with her long hair flowing in the wind.
No wonder writers drink.
That makes sense, Steve. The difference between self-publishing intentionally and getting scammed into it. Thanks for the clarification (you too, Christine).
>Mark-- the news does that all the time. Someone sends them a press release "Local Man publishes his Book, makes school visit!" and they act like he's JK Rowling's second coming, but living in OUR TOWN. No skepticism. No digging deeper.<
Exactly the same thing happened with my City paper a few months back. A huge 1 and a half page article, complete with colour photo's of the author, books. The reporter also sited the authors reasons for going the self publish route as, she couldn't afford an agent (OMG!) and there are no publishers that accept unagented children's picture books (O double MG!!!)
This sort of reporting, not checking out "facts" before printing them, is what then leads readers (perhaps hopeful authors) into believing that this is the way the industry works. Our paper (big City, capital of Canada for G sakes) never reports on Commercially published children's book authors, certainly not our local ones!!!
Self publishers know they have to promote themselves, and as Deirdre says, they need to flood the media with press releases. Most published authors and illustrators do not. They are busy working on another project. I think the only time I've seen much promotion by a published author or illustrator is when the book looks like it's going to be a hit, it's with a good sized publisher and then it is worth the effort and perhaps expense, to hopefully make it a best seller. Otherwise, we are a fairly insecure lot and have a hard time with self promotion and beating our own drum.
I've seen some self published authors stalk Editors at conferences, waving their badly illustrated book in the ed's face, hunting them down every chance they get through the day. Yet, the published authors never approach the editor other then to say hello, loved your talk, etc.
Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. no problem no life, no matter did not learn, so enjoy it :)
Obat Batuk TBC
Obat Tulang Rickets
Baguskah Semangka Untuk Ibu Hamil
Beberapa Pantangan Bagi Penderita Wasir
Ciri Ciri Penderita Kanker Mulut
We align our highest expectations with good quality and custom paper writing services all through, which make our free essay paper writing services affordable to many students.
ลองเล่นได้เลยไม่ต้องรอนาน เกมสล็อตslotxo เล่นง่าย สมัครสมาชิกแล้วเล่นสล็อตxo ได้เลย
https://www.slot2xl.com/
ระบบช่วยเล่นเกม wild ช่วยเล่นเกมสล็อต กำหนดอัลกอลิทึ่มต่างๆ สล็อตxo ให้เกมแตก ได้กันเป็นล้าน อ่านเพิ่มได้ที่นี่
It's a very good article.
Epicwin Auto online slots can be downloaded at EpicWin. How to play Epic Win. Epic Win game entrance is rich with little capital by EpicWin. Free EpicWin credits. Play epic win slot epicwin auto system.
PG SLOT online slots can be downloaded at PGSLOT JACKPOT. How to play PGSLOT GAMING PG Slot game entrance is rich with little capital by PG Slot. Free PG Slot credits. Play PGSLOT GAME pgslot auto system.PGSLOT AUTO Get free bonus.
Thanking for sharing Effective article. I hope you can visit and comment on my website PGSLOTVIP
ฝาก-ถอน ออโต้ PGSLOTVIP
ทางเข้าเล่น PGSLOTVIP
สมัครสมาชิก PGSLOTVIP
เครดิตฟรี PGSLOTVIP
ฟรีสปิน PGSLOTVIP
สูตรโกง PGSLOTVIP
แจ็คพอต PGSLOTVIP
thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with me
บอลเต็ง ทีเด็ดบอลชุด แทงบอล คาสิโน บอลออนไลน์ บาคาร่าออนไลน์ เครดิตฟรี เว็บตรง สมัครง่าย
d with your writing talents and also with the layout on your weblog. Appre superslot
MCA Leads Generation provide leads are exclusive and qualified merchant cash advance leads.
megagame 50รับ100
สล็อต pg เว็บตรง ไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์
การที่จะเป็นเซียนเกมพนันออนไลน์ betflix บางคนอาจจะต้องสั่งสมประสบการณ์มาอย่างยาวนาน หลายปี แต่ทว่า มีอีกหนึ่งเกมพนัน ที่ขึ้นชื่อว่า BETFLIX ใครๆก็สามารถเป็นเซียนเกมชนิดนี้ได้ และ สามารถทำเงินได้มากว่า เกมพนันทั่วๆไปชนิดอื่นๆอีกด้วย เกมพนันออนไลน์ชนิดนั้นคือ เกมสล็อตออนไลน์ โดยเฉพาะเกมสล็อต pg slot ซึ่งเกมสล็อต
[url=https://betflixauto89.com/straight-web-slots-no-need-to-rock-money/] BETFLIX [/url]หากผู้เล่นทั้งหลาย ที่กำลังต้องการ หาเล่นเกมกับ สล็อตเว็บตรง ไม่ต้องโยกเงิน และสามารถทำเงิน จากการเล่นเกมสล็อต เราขอแนะนำ BETFLIX เว็บตรงคุณภาพ เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์ ที่ครบวงจรที่สุด เป็นเว็บที่ การลงทุนเล่น สล็อตเว็บตรง ไม่ต้องโยกกระเป๋า เกมออนไลน์ ผ่านเว็บที่ทันสมัย และทางเราได้ พยายามพัฒนา มาอย่างต่อเนื่อง
Betflixvip168 Betflixvip168 และทาง เบ็ตฟิลเกม ฝาก-ถอน ฟรี ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ slotfun 168 ของเรายังมีบริการ สำหรับท่าน Betflik789 Betflik789 รวมเว็บ ฝาก-ถอน วอ เลท ที่ต้องการศึกษา กติกา เงื่อนไขต่างๆ ฟรีเครดิต ฟรีเครดิต ในเกมหรือท่านที่เป็น นักเล่นสล็อตมือใหม่ ที่ยังศึกษาวิธีการเล่นอยู่ ยังไม่กล้าที่จะลงเงินเดิมพัน ก่อนในตอนแรก ทางเราก็มี บริการ PG SLOT AUTO ทดลองเล่นสล็อต Demo ฟรี
slot game 6666 เกมส์สล๊อตออนไลน์ slot online สล็อต เล่นง่ายได้เงินจริง ระบบ ฝาก-ถอน AUTO 30 วินาที เพียงแค่นั้น สล็อตแจกเครดิตฟรี slotgame6666.com มาแรงที่สุดในชั่วโมงนี้
เวลานี้ต้องบอกเลยว่าเกม slot โปรโมท สล็อต ฝากเงินขั้นต่ำทรู มันนี่ ยอดนิยมเลยก็ว่าได้โดยค่ายเรา Joker gameได้นำ JILI , PG SLOT , BIG GAMING , AMB POKER หรือ FUNKY GAMES แหล่งรวมเกมไฮโล ยิงปลา คาสิโนสด บาคาร่าสด สล็อต กำถั่ว ไพ่แคง ปั่นแปะ ไพ่สามกอง เสือมังกร บาคาร่าสายฟ้า บาคาร่า แบ็คแจ๊ค เก้าเก ดัมมี่ ที่ได้การการันตีจากจากคาสิโนต่างประเทศ หาเงินง่ายๆ
Vul ferre uno vapor cui fuere vox dubie. In ad deinde slotpg quieti missae eamque vestra me. crux
Post a Comment