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On the prospect of self-publishing
4 years ago
"I am James Ungentine KTLA, and I predict your future. These are the events that will change and illuminate your daily lives, except you aren't there yet! Future date 2025, KTLA predicts..."
I recently finished writing the second draft of my novel. Barring a readthrough to tighten it up and possible proofreading from other people, I think it's just about ready for primetime.
When I completed the first draft, I tried shopping it around to literary agents in the hopes of getting it professionally published. Unfortunately it failed miserably. As a result, I've decided this time to go for self-publishing, which will at least get it out onto the market. This brings up a number of questions, the most prominent of which being: where do I sell it? There are numerous self-publishing options of course, but knowing what they are would be a good start. I already know about place like itch.io and Amazon*, but gathering as many options as I can would probably be wise.
It also occurs to me that I might need to sort out cover artwork, though I may need to do further research before confirming that.
If you have any other suggestions I might follow up on, I would greatly appreicate whatever advice you can offer.
*Truth be told, I'm a bit hesitant about publishing via Amazon. On the one hand it's pretty much the biggest marketplace of really any kind on the internet, but on the other hand... well, it's Amazon - possibly one of the world's most vile and most immoral megacorporations.
When I completed the first draft, I tried shopping it around to literary agents in the hopes of getting it professionally published. Unfortunately it failed miserably. As a result, I've decided this time to go for self-publishing, which will at least get it out onto the market. This brings up a number of questions, the most prominent of which being: where do I sell it? There are numerous self-publishing options of course, but knowing what they are would be a good start. I already know about place like itch.io and Amazon*, but gathering as many options as I can would probably be wise.
It also occurs to me that I might need to sort out cover artwork, though I may need to do further research before confirming that.
If you have any other suggestions I might follow up on, I would greatly appreicate whatever advice you can offer.
*Truth be told, I'm a bit hesitant about publishing via Amazon. On the one hand it's pretty much the biggest marketplace of really any kind on the internet, but on the other hand... well, it's Amazon - possibly one of the world's most vile and most immoral megacorporations.
ZetaTheCoyote
~zetamarlfox
Give Thurston Howl a try! They worked with me to get The Rubber Princess published :)
Myuphrid
~myuphrid
OP
I'll bear it in mind, thanks!
zidders
~zidders
I have a friend who is a successful author of fantasy novels who spent two hours writing out all the negatives and positives of self-publishing. I'd be happy to send the note along. It's basically self-publishing 101 from someone who's been there, done that.
Myuphrid
~myuphrid
OP
That'd certainly be helpful, thanks.
zidders
~zidders
Sent! Btw...as much as I love this community the main reason I say consider finding an artist outside the community is because there aren't a lot of professional artists in it who understand how doing art for books works. You're better off researching artists over on sites like Artstation or even Deviantart as there are a lot more professional indie artists who post their work there. It's probably best to go through an agency that specializes in hiring out artists. https://blog.karenwoodward.org/2013.....r-artists.html
