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Post by emptybutstrong on Sept 20, 2010 10:36:38 GMT -5
I'm a self-published author (book name not included, would NEVER spam such a fantastic site.) Anyhow, I tried and tried to publish the old fashioned way, like normal people can. I wrote the MS, professionally paid for editing, had a query and a synopsis and I... I couldn't do it! Because once you get accepted, then publishers expect you to hold the monkey on your back. Book signings? Going into stores and introducing your book? Why not just ask me to cut off a limb?! So, I self-published. The bad thing is it's got such a bad sting, and I don't want to fall into the realm of sounding like an author who 'wasn't good enough for a publisher' because I really don't know if I ever was. A lot of me wants to say 'yes, I have a social anxiety disorder and I could not get published because I can't initiate conversation with a next door neighbor let alone a perfect stranger.' Maybe they would understand me more? Then again I wonder if it would affect sales. Who wants to read fantasies by someone who can't even leave the house alone?  I've looked into marketing too, but it SUCKS. Every avenue wants to call you on your phone and talk. Sorry, that's one of my biggest 'uh uhs!' I've still got companies calling because they didn't tell me they wanted to contacted me that way. Must be getting very annoyed with me not answering.  I am stuck in a corner and would really like to know what you guys think. Would I be hurting myself if I said I have a social anxiety disorder, or would it help? Some close author friends know and a few people who visit my cute blog know, but I've already been betrayed by one author through her manipulation knowing I was an easy target! Bugger, it doesn't feel fair.  Half the time I wonder why I took three years to write, edit and spend so much on all those editing and writing classes and groups! Really, half the time I think even getting into this business was such a bad, bad idea... I've seriously begun thinking about writing, not getting any editing except my own and giving them away for freakin' free or maybe a dollar. At least I'd still get to write...and not get myself into a huge financial hole... |
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Paper
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Post by Paper on Sept 20, 2010 13:02:43 GMT -5
I am stuck in a corner and would really like to know what you guys think. Would I be hurting myself if I said I have a social anxiety disorder, or would it help? From the perspective of a reader, I don't think it would make any difference. With the exception of one or two of my favourites I know nothing about the private lives of the authors of any of the books I've read, nor do I wish to know anything. Unless one of them turned out to be a paedophile or something, it makes no difference who wrote the book, as long as the book's good. From the perspective of a publisher I would guess that it may be an issue, because book signings generate interest and therefore money. Anyway, I think you'd be better off sending publishers an email explaining why you're not answering their calls, because otherwise they'll think you're not really interested. |
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Post by emptybutstrong on Sept 20, 2010 16:06:30 GMT -5
Email might be best. Every author I know now has some kind of platform to keep in touch with everyone. Social media overtake. It's good to hear from someone who is a reader instead, it makes a fine point.
I'm just afraid if I email them that's it because they can't handle someone through plain email...I don't really know. Sometimes I think I should make one simple page (I've studied website design for about ten years) and just push SEO more on it.
I don't know. Ha ha, I guess that's why it's in dilemma!^^'
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Post by Stranger on Sept 21, 2010 3:12:28 GMT -5
I'm a self-published author (book name not included, would NEVER spam such a fantastic site.) Anyhow, I tried and tried to publish the old fashioned way, like normal people can. I wrote the MS, professionally paid for editing, had a query and a synopsis and I... Awesome! Congrats!  I couldn't do it! Because once you get accepted, then publishers expect you to hold the monkey on your back. Book signings? Going into stores and introducing your book? Why not just ask me to cut off a limb?! Arrrgh, sucks!  What kinds of things would you need to talk about at a book signing? You don't need to be the chattiest author, do you? There must be all types out there. If it's about the book you've been working hard at and immersing yourself in for the past few months/years, perhaps it would be a little easier to talk about. I'm terrible at socializing, or even just random chatting, but I can usually talk about work stuff much better. I have confidence in what I do I guess, and by the sounds of it, so do you. It'd sure be a shame if you let this one fear hold you back. Perhaps it'd help to think about what it would be like if you never do this and look back regretting not taking a chance just once at this. You only live once! So, I self-published. The bad thing is it's got such a bad sting, and I don't want to fall into the realm of sounding like an author who 'wasn't good enough for a publisher' because I really don't know if I ever was. A lot of me wants to say 'yes, I have a social anxiety disorder and I could not get published because I can't initiate conversation with a next door neighbor let alone a perfect stranger.' Maybe they would understand me more? Then again I wonder if it would affect sales. Who wants to read fantasies by someone who can't even leave the house alone? I'm with Paper: would not care one snowflake. I've looked into marketing too, but it SUCKS. Every avenue wants to call you on your phone and talk. Sorry, that's one of my biggest 'uh uhs!' I've still got companies calling because they didn't tell me they wanted to contacted me that way. Must be getting very annoyed with me not answering. I suspect most would interpret that as not interested or rude/disrespectful. I can totally understand it, though. Perhaps there are classes you can take on marketing yourself, either as an author or an artist generally. I am stuck in a corner and would really like to know what you guys think. Would I be hurting myself if I said I have a social anxiety disorder, or would it help? I think it's fine to mention it if it comes up in conversation, but I would be a bit sensitive to pushing it out on people in case it seems a little weird. Like if you were negotiating with a publisher about doing book signings, it'd be fine to say "I'd like to minimize those events 'cause I'm a little socially anxious," but if you mean tell it to everyone as a matter of principle then it may sound obsessive or something. That's probably obvious; just saying there are fine ways and... slightly "weird" ways of going about it. Some close author friends know and a few people who visit my cute blog know, but I've already been betrayed by one author through her manipulation knowing I was an easy target! I saw you mention this incident elsewhere, but without knowing more it's hard to understand where you're coming from. I guess all I can say is not everyone is out to screw you over. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've found bad apples are the exception rather than the rule. (Although I'm not an author, publisher, or anything else that hip.) All the best! |
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Post by emptybutstrong on Sept 21, 2010 9:21:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the supportive words, stranger. I think both of you are right. I've met a few authors that I have told my problem and they seem supportive...but so did the other one. I know that didn't help. It's supposed to be paranoia, but when it becomes true (that people really are judging and taking advantage of me) it made me lose tons of confidence. I've made some progress though. I've found some smaller presses that seem more like they are just beginning. Riskier, but I think for someone like me it's a start. They wouldn't be able to work out lots of things like signings because they aren't big. Maybe just some simple promo on the internet. I am going to give it another try with my next story (done just need some editing.) I send it in on the 30th. Well, I'm supposed to. I will, I will, I will, I will... I just have to keep telling myself I will. A lot. |
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Post by Tal on Sept 21, 2010 13:46:53 GMT -5
This is quite an interesting question. I've often wanted to write fantasy and I've wondered how I'd deal with the publishing side. Self-publishing seemed the obvious solution, especially in the digital age with e-readers on the rise. In theory anyone can produce a digital book and then spread it electronically. (Admittedly getting people interested in something you've made is still difficult without a big ad campaign and shelf space in shops) I don't think its a bad way to go, though.
I wouldn't be ashamed of self-publishing nor would I mention anxiety as the reason for it. Instead the reason should be something more positive and deliberate. You could say that you want to be independent...to not be constrained by big publishing houses or obliged to do book signings etc. You should make clear on your website and maybe even in your electronic manuscript that self-publishing is you CHOICE. You could create an identity as a mysterious author (maybe use a pseudonym) who remains hidden behind the scenes but churns out good books...in the end the story is what matters.
Of course this doesn't necessarily bring in money unless your charge for the ebook but then people will just file share it (of course large sites are beginning to sell ebooks and some might have some kind of DRM protection to prevent this, but you'd have to look into that).
Maybe you could give it away free and sell associated merchandise. Perhaps pay an illustrator to do some drawings and then sell a special edition illustrated version. Maybe even set up a donations page using Paypal. Have a web forum and build up a community around your fictional world. Going it alone offers a lot of possibilities as well as challenges. How workable they are I don't know.
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Post by emptybutstrong on Sept 22, 2010 15:26:18 GMT -5
Oh, if only any of those angles worked. Publication for books is so swamped, all of those methods have been tried. I tried giving away the first book free as digital and if anyone enjoyed it, they could buy the paperback. This approach would have worked before ereaders. Really no need for paper. I know, I have one. (Love my Nook.) Pseudonyms are not mysterious anymore. In fact, 9 out of 10 authors use one. They even use multiples when they want to write in different genres. If the name is simple, easy to remember, sounds daring or exotic, has one to two syllables, and the last name is before N, it's a good chance it's a pseudonym. (N-Z are often books found on the bottom shelf of bookstores if that makes sense.) I'm unique only in that I didn't need one. Forums take traffic, SEO comes into the picture again. Tried donations too, notta. In fact, it can make you look desperate and so did the free angle. Great debate whether free or dollar books are a great value or generally so bad they aren't worth downloading right now. Other authors look at you like your nuts too.@.@ And the independent 'I don't want to be controlled by the industry' is heard far and wide. Some authors believe it, while others do it to try to catch attention to their work and land a great publishing contract. I've no idea why, pretty darn rare. For now I am going with a simple site, paid hosting, and work on page rank. I think I just need to shoot from another angle. You sound quite interested in becoming your own fantasy writer Tal. If you ever need any tips in the future, come find me. |
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Post by Tal on Sept 23, 2010 13:15:46 GMT -5
ok well I guess one's options are a bit limited then. I still wouldn't admit to SA publicly...not until I was well established anyway. At best no on will care and at worst they'd laugh. Either way they'd never understand.
Thanks...if I start writing and need any advice I'll let you know.
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Post by emptybutstrong on Dec 17, 2010 14:28:17 GMT -5
I thought I would go ahead and stop and add to this. Especially since I hate posts that never seem to give a full resolve. I'm doing well. ;D I spent a lot of wasted money on advertising and it was awful. However I did sell a few books. After my poor leg incident though I realized what I really wanted and didn't want. I set up a site for people to read my books for free. I use some SEO to keep it higher with keywords but no paid promotion. I concentrate on my life now instead of promoting. (Which is so much nicer.) And by doing that, sales seemed to have improved. People who like it, read it, and people who love it buy the print. End of story. It worked! Not a lot of money in it, but that's to be expected. It also depends on the audience I think at the end. So if you are on SHY United and ever thought of making a book, don't let my posts bring you down. I say go for it. Just give it time though. And I don't mean a month or two either. The longer time passes by, the better it will get. I still have a little personal blog elsewhere for my SAD but that's away from my 'author' image. They don't even know I wrote books, so it all works out.  |
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Post by Scotty on Dec 18, 2010 0:38:12 GMT -5
Congrats! I hope you continue to do well.  |
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Post by Tal on Dec 20, 2010 16:48:48 GMT -5
Well done emptybutstrong. It gives us other writer-wannabe's some hope. lol
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