Publetariat

This post, from Nathan Bransford, originally appeared on his site on 8/27/12.

In which literary agent-turned-author Nathan Bransford posts a ‘show, don’t tell’ blog all about what it’s like to go from being a hopeful to a published author.

At first you’re thinking of writing a novel and you’re all…

But then you have an idea!

And you go…

But then you hit page 50 and you’re all….

And then you hit page 75 and you’re all…

But you power through!!

Read—or in this case, view—the rest of the post on Nathan Bransford’s site.

This post, by Dan Holloway, originally appeared on his The Cynical Self-Publisher.

I think that’s a sentiment all of us, except maybe for a few sub-editors, would concur with. The question is how to get there.

Read the rest of the post on The Cynical Self-Publisher.

This post, by Brooke Johnson, originally appeared on her blog on 5/7/12.

I’ll do a quick summary today, and then starting Thursday, I’ll cover the first six or so functions more in depth with examples. As I said before, these are Vogler’s words, not mine. I haven’t studied Propp’s functions as extensively as I’ve studied the Hero’s Journey, and so honestly, I don’t feel qualified to expound with my own opinions and theories about them. However, I do plan to attempt writing a story based on these functions, so perhaps in the future, I’ll be better equipped to analyze the functions more deeply.

Read the rest of the post, which includes 31 functions in all, on Brooke Johnson’s blog.

Remember the wannabe-summer-blockbuster Battleship?

If you’re drawing a blank, I’m not surprised.

Released all the way back in May, the movie is based on the classic board game, which is fun, but not quite deep enough to plot even a summer movie.

So, they added Liam Neeson (who I hope just needed the money), the Nordic-looking vampire from True Blood, singer/celebrity Rihanna and…aliens. Yes, aliens.

Think there’s no way that movie could possibly be good? You’re right. It currently stands at a 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. And some of those positive reviews “praised” it only for not being as bad as expected.

As a result, Battleship made back only 30% of its production budget. A genuine flop.

For a big movie studio, that’s a disappointment, but not the end of the world.

As an author, however, making only 30 cents for every dollar spent could prevent you from ever publishing again.

Unfortunately, book flops are common. An oft-cited statistic is that 80% of published books (indie or traditional) sell fewer than 100 copies.

Wait! Don’t think I’m trying to pop your awesome indie balloon!

What if I told you that I know the reason for those flops? And, even better, I know what to do to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. It’s a secret so simple that (I promise) you’ll do a *headdesk* when you read it.

The Flopping Problem

Before we get to that simple solution, let’s discuss the problem. It’s rooted in the traditional publishing process, which probably looks pretty familiar:

1. Write your book.
2. Revise and edit.
3. Publish.
4. Market. Cry at lagging sales.

Even taking out my cheeky “cry” comment, do you see the problem with the above? To compare, check out this alternative process:

In process number two, you have a built-in fanbase ready to buy your book when it’s released! Which rocks, right?

Have you guessed the secret?

The Simple Secret for Selling More Books

Begin marketing before you release your book.

I told you it was simple! That single rule combats the number one problem I see among indie authors: the separation of the writing process from the marketing process.

It’s a huge shame! The writing process is the perfect time to begin building both momentum and your fanbase!

• Think it’ll take forever? Wrong! Seriously, you can build your crazy-dedicated fanbase in an hour or two a week.
• What if I don’t finish my book? Don’t let it happen! Getting fans onboard gives you motivation to complete your novel. Folks are waiting!
• I don’t want to give away the farm! You won’t — you’ll get valuable feedback from the readers who will buy your book.

Anticipation is your ally.

I’m not going to lie, the Olympics have me totally obsessed — did you SEE the hoopla with that poor South Korean fencer? Seriously, though, why are they such a big deal? They only come around once every four years. There’s 3-years-and-50-weeks of buildup (and anticipation) for that one event!

Your book release is your Opening Ceremony, your very own epic event: work to make it that special!

So, how do you go about building the momentum for your epic book release?

1. Start building a fanbase at least 6 months before your book is released.

Yeah, six months might seem like a long time. Trust me, though, the more time you give yourself to build up your fanbase, the better. This also gives you plenty of time to revise, edit and polish your work!

“But I already released my book!”

If you sold less than 100 copies, pretend like you didn’t. I’m serious! If you don’t want to go the revisionist-history route, release a second edition 6 months down the road with some sort of added bonus. That could be:

• A chapter from your next book
• A short story from another character’s POV
• A bonus prologue or epilogue
• Added reviews and praise

Think of this re-release as your book going back in the Disney vault. You know how you want to buy Robin Hood as soon as they put the blasted thing back in the vault? This principle of scarcity is another one of your allies.

Now that you’ve planned that release (or re-release) date, use the principles of reader-centered book marketing to build up your fanbase.

If you’re thinking that 6 months is a long time to keep readers interested, I’m right there with you. Here’s how you do it:

2. Release exclusive content leading up to your launch.

To communicate with your fans, create a mailing list and give your signup form a prominent spot on your website. When folks sign up, send them a free sample chapter, short story or other (valuable) freebie.

The key? Make your freebie something quick and awesome. Don’t send them a 200-page tome from your backlist! Showcase your awesomeness through something quick to read that makes them decide they want to hear more from you.

Now that you’ve got folks on your list, plan to send out a weekly or bi-weekly email with (key point alert!) something of value.

Our attention is so divided nowadays that as soon as your reader stops receiving value from your emails, they unsubscribe. But, don’t freak out about making each email epic. Providing value doesn’t have to be complicated! You could:

• Discuss a recent blog post in more detail
• Promote a friend’s book
• Share an exclusive excerpt
• Spotlight a character with a detailed profile
• Ask a discussion question

Basically what I’m saying is don’t endlessly spam/annoyingly promote. One tip to make things easier: write your updates like you’re writing an email to a friend. Jazz up your readers: get them excited about your book, the characters and the release!

3. Begin gathering reviews at least 3 months before your book is released.

Shannon has a great post on the do’s and do-not’s of requesting book reviews, but, in addition to those tips, think of how your fanbase can help out.

A few months before releasing your book, offer up 25 free copies of your book (via an electronic advanced reading copy) in exchange for reviews.

Encourage readers to follow through by offering a reward: this could be chosen at random or for the best review (it’s up to you). Something like an Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy or a specially-packaged limited edition (more on that later) all work well.

4. Take preorders and make preordering rewarding!

A month before your release, begin taking preorders. Make preordering an awesome deal for your fans!

Your goal with preorders isn’t to make a ton of money — you will be rewarded in other ways. A successful preorder builds up excitement for the official release while encouraging your early-adopters to read the book, leave reviews and spread the word.

A few ideas on creating a special preorder:

• Release a special limited edition for the same price as the traditional paperback. Here’s a beautiful example — refrain from drooling.
• Offer personalized, signed copies for a $1 profit.
• Donate preorder proceeds to charity.

Even this preorder release should be an event! It’s like a dry run for the REAL release, so don’t be afraid to go all out.

5. Release the heck out of your book.

Warning: the week of your release will make you want to cry — out of both exhaustion and relief! You’ve (finally) made it, but your work isn’t over. To escape that 80% trap, finish strong!

Be everywhere your readers are! Show them why they should be your fan — don’t tell (kind of like writing, right?)! In every interview, guest post, Q&A and whatever else, share something new and valuable. Make being a part of your fanbase exciting and exclusive!

Talk Back!

What do you think? Is building up your fanbase before releasing your book a great idea or huge mistake? How did you make your book release an event? Are you a part of the 20% Did you actually pay money to see Battleship? Let me know in the comments!

This is a reprint from the Duolit team. Click here to download Duolit’s free 35pp guide to self-publishing.

 I Don’t Take Sides

I feel that traditional publishing has a lot to offer the industry. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t spend so much time and effort challenging them to innovate to remain competitive. Self-publishing is not a panacea, and, since I spent last week focusing on the traditional end of the industry, today we are going to talk about the top five mistakes I feel are killing self-publishing authors.

Mistake #1 Publishing Before We Are Ready

The problem with the ease of self-publishing is that it is, well, too easy. When we are new, frankly, most of us are too dumb to know what we don’t know. Just because we made As in English, does not automatically qualify us to write a work spanning 60-100,000 words. I cannot count how many writers I have met who refuse to read fiction, refuse to read craft books, and who only go to pitch agents when they attend conferences at the expense of attending the craft sessions.

Additionally, too many new writers I meet do not properly understand the antagonist. They don’t grasp three-act structure, and most don’t have any idea what I mean when I mention POV, Jungian archetypes, or the phrase, “scene and sequel.”

I see a lot of new writers who believe their story is the exception, that the rules make for “formulaic” writing. No, rules are there for a reason, and, if the writing is too formulaic, it has more to do with execution than the rules.

Three-act structure has been around since Aristotle, and there is a lot of evidence in neuroscience that suggests that three-act structure is actually hard-wired into the human brain. Thus, when we deviate too far from three-act structure, it confuses and frustrates readers. Stories have clear beginnings, middles and ends. Without a clear story objective, it is impossible to generate dramatic tension, and what is left over is drama’s inbred cousin, melodrama. Yet, many writers start off writing a book without properly understanding the basic skeleton of story.

Writing fiction is therapeutic, but it isn’t therapy. Yes, characters should struggle with inner demons, but that does not a plot make. Struggling with weakness, inner demons, insecurity, addictions are all character arc, not plot arc. There should be a core story problem that we can articulate in ONE sentence. The plot arc should serve to drive the character arc. If the character does not grow and change she will fail, but it is the core story problem that drives this change. Without the problem, there is no crucible.

Yes, we are artists, but we need to understand the fundamentals. I played clarinet for years, and yes it was an art. But this didn’t excuse me from having to learn to read music, the finger positions and proper embouchure (the way to position the mouth to play).

The better we are at the basics, the better we know the rules, the more we become true artists.

I’ve received contest winners whose first pages were filled with newbie errors. Yet, when I sent them my critique filled with pages of corrections, I would then receive a reply telling me that the book had already been self-published.

OUCH.

Sometimes there are reasons we are being rejected and we need to take a hard look and be honest. Self-publishing is suffering a stigma from too many writers publishing before they are ready. If you really want to self-publish, I am here to support you and cheer you all the way, but remember, we have to write better than the traditional authors.

Read the rest of the post on Kristen Lamb’s blog.

This post, by Craig Lancaster, originally appeared on New Wave Authors on 7/30/12.

Listen up, kids. If you want to make the writing life even more difficult than it already is sometimes, have this for an answer when someone asks you what kind of stories you write:

"Um … well, they’re sort of literary, but … you know, a bunch of stuff happens, but it’s, like … you know … I guess it’s sort of family drama stuff. Sort of. You know?"

That’s, like, a direct quote or whatever.

And if you want to stump even people who write for a living, ask them to define for you, in a single sentence, what constitutes "literary fiction." A few bright souls might have a simple answer, but for the most part, expect some stumbling around.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately–as I try to tame my current work in progress into what I think it wants to be, as I read Dwight Allen’s bizarre complaint about Stephen King (accurately subtitled "a snob’s notes") and then cheer Sarah Langan’s astute takedown of that same piece.

(Let me stop right here to posit that I consider Stephen King a literary writer. Yes, also a horror and fantasy writer, but his best work illuminates the human condition, bringing the things we fear the most and love the most together and telling us some fundamental truth about them. That, to me, is the very essence of literary writing. If we cannot agree on this point, we’re not likely to agree on much else, so perhaps it’s best to part ways. I’ve gotta finish writing this post. Maybe you could go over here.)

When we’re not careful about how we define our terms, we tend to get bifurcated into these extreme points of view: Literary writing is about the beauty of language and the depth of character. Genre writing is about the pace and plot of the story.

Read the rest of the post on New Wave Authors.

We often post articles here that urge indie authors to seek out pro services, so we’re happy to highlight this contest from Bone Wires, which is awarding a professional cover design.

To show support for self-publishing and independent authors, Curiosity Quills Press is giving away free professional cover art design as part of a giveaway to promote their latest release – Bone Wires by Michael Shean.

If you win, your cover art designer will be Michael Shean. In addition to being an author, Michael Shean is a professional graphic designer and designed his own covers for Bone Wires and Shadow of a Dead Star. Even if you don’t win the free cover art for your novel, by entering you have a great chance of winning a free copy of Bone Wires.

If you win the grand prize of cover art and don’t need it at this time, Michael can assist you with a blog banner or similar graphic design project.

Enter the giveaway here: http://curiosityquills.com/bone-wires-cover-art-giveaway/

[Publetariat Editor’s note: this post contains strong language]

There aren’t any spoilers in this post, but there are some spoilers at the places I link to at the end, so be warned.

It’s no secret that I’m a Batman fan. In fact, that’s an understatement – I fucking love Batman, in a totally platonic way. I’ve often said that Batman and the Joker are the two greatest fictional characters ever created and I stand by that. So when talk of a new Batman film started back in 2003 or 4 or whenever it was, I was dubious. But it was to be made by Christopher Nolan, a man whose talents I already admired. The result was Batman Begins, the first of a proposed trilogy. I was very pleasantly surprised.

The first thing to remember when films are made from established literary canon, be they novels, comic books, games or anything else, is that a film is a self-contained thing. It’s finite. Batman comics have been going since 1939 and there’s a metric fuckton of established canon and ongoing story with which a film can’t hope to compete. Nor should it try. So a film will always make changes to established canon and we fans can’t be precious about that. It’s how the film plays with that canon that matters.

In Batman Begins, Nolan turned the notion of Ras Al Ghul a little bit on its head. He made Ras and Henri Ducard the same character, which they absolutely aren’t in the comic canon. He also made Ras an Irishman. But the things he then did with those characters, with Ras’s mission as an idealistic eco-terrorist, were bang on the money. Nolan did a brilliant job of retelling the Batman genesis and origin, and adding in a well favoured supervillain. Within that, he kept the darkness essential to the Batman’s story. He kept the gothic, noir edge of the characters and setting. He made Gotham an integral character in the film. So while he played with some aspects of established canon to make a film-sized story, he did it well and kept enough of what we already know intact to make a very impressive, cohesive whole. I was very happy with the film.

But all along it was touted as a trilogy. And this is where we go back to the nature of film compared to an ongoing series. This film was to be finite in three instalments. The second film, The Dark Knight, stands tall for many reasons. Not least of these is that amazing performance from Heath Ledger as the Joker, which is still the highpoint of the trilogy for me. And again, Nolan took some liberties with established canon, but stayed true to so many parts that we love that we went with him for the ride. I did, anyway. And most importantly for me, he totally got what the Joker is all about. The Joker is the worst monster imaginable, because he’s the embodiment of absolute chaos. No rhyme, no reason, no appealing to any sense or intelligence. Just pure, insane chaos. Some men, after all, just want to watch the world burn.

So I’d been waiting patiently and slightly nervously for The Dark Knight Rises, the third and final instalment. So often a third film is where a series can jump the shark. It can be the step too far. But Nolan always said this was to be a trilogy and I trusted him as a storyteller enough to hope that he would see it through well. Again, liberties were took. The big bad this time is Bane, and he’s very different from the comic book character. In the comics, Bane is addicted to and fuelled by Venom. But in this film, Venom doesn’t even get a mention. Bane’s origin is also played with, as are the origins of other key players (who I won’t discuss for fear of spoilers). But that’s okay, because Nolan is using Bane in his own way, like he used Ras Al Ghul in the first one. And he does a good job of it.

Nolan also does a very good job of using the Selina Kyle character. She’s never called Catwoman in the film, her cat ears are just her night goggles, pushed up onto her head and so on. But the core of the character is there. She’s a tough, sassy, very capable cat burglar. She’s a real-world foil to the Batman’s black and white view of crime and culpability. She’s so much more than a sexy accoutrement and Anne Hathaway does a brilliant job with a character that is very hard to play well.

And using these characters and settings, Nolan brings threads from both previous films together in The Dark Knight Rises and ties them into a truly epic story, worthy of its comic book roots and also worthy of its cinematic grandeur. He does tell a complete story in three films and he does it bloody well.

Each of the films is successively darker, more epic and more daring than the last and by far the best thing about them is that Nolan has made an absolutely self-contained trilogy. It’s not the same as the comic books, because the comics are still going on, and will continue to do so. Nolan has taken the characters and spirit of those stories and turned them into one complete and very clever tale. We see the full life of the Batman, from genesis, through origin, through rise and fall and rise again, right out to final closure. And it’s very satisfying.

Sure, the films have flaws. With The Dark Knight Rises there are illogicalities, there are strange timing issues, there are simple nonsensical things (like the one I mentioned the other day – how the hell does Bane eat? And he’s a big boy, so he must eat a lot.) There’s actually not nearly enough Batman in the third and final Batman film. There are often certain events in the movies which are entirely too convenient and plot-driven. But, these things are relatively few and far between and largely eclipsed by all the good stuff.

There are those who have suggested that this final instalment is a pro-fascist movie (although I disagree with most of that post and the author obviously doesn’t have any real understanding of the ideology of Ras Al Ghul). I mean, sure, all superhero stories are fundamentally fascist – the super power steps in with violence, operating outside the law, to battle the greater threat on behalf of the people. But that’s a whole other discussion and not one limited to Nolan’s interpretation of Batman.

There are those who have asked what the hell happened to the Joker after the second film. Although Ledger died and couldn’t reprise his role, it’s strange that there was never any mention. Though one possible answer lies here.

(Remember – spoilers at the above links!)

There are several other concerns raised in various reviews and posts I’ve read, some valid, some not so much. Regardless, Nolan has created in his Batman trilogy something rarely seen from Hollywood these days – an intelligent, complex, complete and satisfying story along with the incredible special effects and cinematic epicness we’ve come to expect. Effects are so often utilised at the expense of story, but not with these films. The Dark Knight Rises is possibly the best of the three when it comes to simply amazing set pieces of action and downright brilliant photography. But it’s the combined power of the three films together that really stands out as Nolan’s crowning achievement here.

Personally I can’t wait till The Dark Knight Rises is released on DVD so I can put aside a day to sit and watch all three films back to back in a beauteous Bat-filled marathon of cinematic awesomeness.

This is a reprint from Alan Baxter‘s The Word.

This post, by Jeff Goins, originally appeared on his site.

This one’s inspired by you, Mr. Pushy Salesman who tried to sell me a home security system by coercing and shaming me (instead of wooing and charming me):

What? You don’t want your family to be safe?

Yeah, buddy. This list’s for you and all those like you who try to convince the customer to do what you want instead of empowering him to make the right decision.

Please stop this

Here’s why your idea isn’t spreading, why your product isn’t selling, and/or why people generally don’t want to listen to you:

• You’re too pushy.
   
• You’re impatient.
   
• You don’t solve a real problem.
   
• You insulted me.
   
• You’re rude.
   
• You put your needs before my own.

Read the rest of the post on Jeff Goins’ site.

Here I am at this wonderfully interesting site! I’m not only new but practically computer illiterate but what I lack in expertise I try to make up for with perseverance (ie – stubborn-failure is not an option – LOL). At the moment it’s practically impossible to get away from me if you’re a reader since I’ve got something in every formant (currently) known to man on the NET or on Amazon.com. My favorite things to write are souhern cozy mysteries and like life, my characters and plot twists are full of adventure; reality; humor; romance; relationships; and colorful characters. An example is this thumbnail of a recent novel : "(title left out) is about BLOODY red murder; COLORFUL characters and clues scattred from New York to a small town in Tennessee; and has enough paranormal scenes in it to make the television paranormal shows GREEN with envy – enjoy!" Now – if you like a mystery – go to my list of works on Amazon and see if you can figure out which of my novels this describes. CLUE: It’s part of the Maryvale series.

Good luck and good reading to all of us,

Jackie Griffey 

Being a writer is often lonely and thankless. If we’re fortunate, we can make a living by our words, but that can take years before it happens.

Here are 7 encouraging posts to keep you going  when it feels like you’re getting nowhere.

1. Turning a Stall into a Start by Barbara McDowell — Sometimes life gets in the way of our writing. Barbara gives us a pep talk and suggests joining the ROW80 crew to keep us on track.
2. Keep Money in Its Place by Rachelle Gardner — In this post, Rachelle reminds us that when we focus on the money instead of the joy of writing, we can lose that joy. Her suggestion is to “keep your writing life separate from your financial anxiety.”
3. What are “Hidden Sales?” by Mary DeMuth — Most published authors, trad and self, have heard someone say they loved their book so much they just had to lend it to a friend. Mary gives us a way to look at those lost sales that puts it all in perspective.
4. Why Fiction is Good for Your Heart by Colin Falconer — We’ve all heard how reading is good for our brains, but did you know reading fiction is good for your moral character? Colin leads us through how reading fiction is good for us.
5. How Fiction Shapes Worldview by Mike Duran — If “all truth is God’s truth”, then we can use general truths to move our readers to specific Christian truths without needing to use specific scripture or dogma, according to Mike.
6. Making God Your Partner — Fulfilling our visions, be it in writing a great book or anything else, means making connections. In this post I break down Cheryl Ricker’s 5 connections we must make to achieve our goals.
7. Blog Better by Slowing Down by Timo Kiander — In this post, Timo takes us through his thoughts on why we should re-consider blogging multiple times per week, including avoiding burnout and broken relationships.

What other tips, tricks and posts do you know of that encourage you to keep writing?

This is a reprint from Virginia Ripple‘s blog.

This post, by Sarah Manguso, originally appeared on Work In Progress in June of 2012.

Work.

Be relentless. All over the world, people are working harder than you. Don’t go to events; go to the receptions after the events. If possible, skip the receptions and go to the afterparties, where you can have a real conversation with someone.

Money.

Learn to live on air. Buy the best health insurance you can afford. If you have roommates, work in the library. Run and do calisthenics instead of paying for a gym membership. Invest in ear plugs, good sneakers, and a coffee machine. Buy oatmeal in bulk. Learn to cook simple, nutritious meals. Save and eat leftovers. Cafes are a waste of money, calories, and time; leave them to the tourists. Buy books used, perform periodic culls, and resell them. Wasting money on clothes is the stupidest habit of all. You will only ever need two good outfits.

Health.

Stay healthy; sickness is a waste of time and money. Smoking or overeating will eventually make you sick. Drinking and drugs interfere with clear perception, which you will need in order to make good work. It may be worth paying for psychotherapy sessions now instead of paying for inpatient treatment next year; see someone in-network.

Friends.

Avoid all messy and needy people including family; they threaten your work. You may believe your messy life supplies material, but it in fact distracts you from understanding that material, and until you understand it, it is useless to you. Don’t confuse users, hangers-on, or idols with friends. If a former friend asks you why you don’t have time to see him or her anymore, say your existing responsibilities have made it impossible to socialize as much as you used to. Cutting someone out with no explanation is an insult that will come around.

Read the rest of the post on Work in Progress.

Publetariat staff will be off from the evening of July 4 through the evening of July 5 in observance of the United States’ Independence Day, also known as The Fourth of July. No new content will be posted, no site registrations will be processed, and no email will be answered during this time. The site will still be up, and registered users will still have access to post to their blogs if desired.

To our American readers, we wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July, filled with the requisite grilling and fireworks. To all of our readers, we’ll see you back here on July 5th at 6pm PST. (No need to click through – this is the end of the post!)

This post, by Jim Kukral, originally appeared on The Huffington Post on 7/3/12.

Sarah Woodbury writes books and sells them online. A big part of her family income comes from the sales of those books; in fact, her family can live off of her income alone. Yet, because of the rising costs of health care, her husband is forced to work a full-time job to ensure they keep their coverage.

Sarah is indicative of a group of authors who have been meaning to make the jump to full-time, but can’t do it because of fear of losing their health care coverage.

"We can live on my income now, but health insurance?" said Mrs. Woodbury. "Yeah — the lack of it if he quits his job is one of the two things keeping my husband at his job. We have four kids — going without health insurance isn’t an option."

The Supreme Court ruling that the Obama health care legislation is in fact constitutional has created quite a stir with authors all around the country. Many now feel like they can finally make their writing into a full-time career now that they can’t lose their health coverage.

Kate Delaney, author of 5:00 Breakout, says, "The biggest thing keeping me at my day job is healthcare. Depending on the cost of premiums after the Act goes into full effect, I will definitely be examining the options."

An anonymous message board poster only known as "Gutman" had this to say:

I am close to retirement (I’m 58.) I’m only working the day job full time because of health insurance. I can honestly say that if the bill survives the election cycle, and all its parts kick in by 2014, going to half time and buying health insurance through the pool becomes a real possibility for me, and makes it possible to transition to writing full time in retirement by writing half time until I’m 65.

But others aren’t so sure.

Victoria J says it’s a wait and see decision. "I have no plans to. I would like to see how things look after 2014 before I ever made such a decision."

Read the rest of the post on The Huffington Post.

This post, by Henry Baum, originally appeared on The Self-Publishing Review on 3/2/12.

It’s been a good run.  2011 was the year when self-publishing broke open with the successes of Amanda Hocking, John Locke, and JA Konrath.  The stigma is gone.  No one thinks a self-published book is bad just because it’s been self-published.  But people are creative – there are some out there who actively want to dislike self-publishing, and will look for reasons to criticize.  There are also plenty of people who still want to believe in the validation of a traditional publisher: if an agent and editor like it, I must be good.  So now the stigma is not: self-published books are bad, but self-published books are hard to sell.

This post is so wrong it’s almost not worth linking to, but it’s an interesting sentiment with a provocative title: Self-Publishing is Over –

I’m not saying self-publishing doesn’t work. The fact that I’m spending my days building a 40′ ocean going catamaran is proof that it does, or at least that it did for me.

I am saying that it takes a very particular sort of person to do it, and that person has to be comfortable with the idea that they’re going to spend upwards of 75% of their time and effort doing things they (probably) regard as secondary to the creative act, and that there’s no (longer) special reward for undertaking the effort. The chances of your work being embraced by the market are not higher than going the tradition route; the return on your investment of time and effort (and in the case of movies, money) is not higher than going the traditional route.

And self-distro is certainly not the (much hyped) solution to the chaos and uncertainty that reigns in music or movies or publishing. It’s simply another route that might work, but probably won’t.

Perhaps with all the hype about self-publishing’s successes, people have gotten the impression that self-publishers think it’s easy to make it rich. But most know that self-publishing is hard.  That doesn’t make it “over,” just…hard.  As is releasing any book.  And the argument’s so old but – traditionally published writers need to do a lot of work they didn’t used to do as well: social marketing, arranging book tours, etc.  All publishing has elements of self-publishing.

That post was responding to another in The Atlantic:

One of the illusions most common to writers — an illusion that may make the long slow slog of writing possible, for many people — is that an enormous audience is out there waiting for the wisdom and delight that I alone can provide, and that the Publishing System is a giant obstacle to my reaching those people. Thus the dream that digital publishing technologies will indeed “disintermediate” — will eliminate that obstacle and connect me directly to what Bugs Bunny calls “me Public.” (See “Bully for Bugs”.) And we have heard just enough unexpected success stories to keep that dream alive.

Read the rest of the post on The Self-Publishing Review.