There is an article spreading through the indie publishing world today like a wild fire. I debated on leaving the link here because I don't want to give it any more press, but ultimately I'll leave it up to you and your discretion if you want to read it.SELF-PUBLISHING: AN INSULT TO THE WRITTEN WORD from HuffingtonPost.com.
As an indie author (and someone who has books through small presses) I felt like I needed to say something about this. I never say anything about anything, so here's a treat for you ;)
About two years ago, a friend asked me about my publishing career. She said she was super proud of me for writing and publishing so many books and maybe, someday, I'd be a real author. My first thought was Pinocchio. "You mean I'll be a REAL BOY!" (yes, she's still my friend. Just because I roll my eyes really hard doesn't mean we can't move on.)
A REAL author!
Golly gee!
A real author sounds amazing! Something I've wanted to be forever. I imagine a real author has to:
*write all the words (wait, I do that)
*have professional editor for all the words (ummm... wait.)
*have a professional cover designer for all the words (I mean, mine had a book with the cover she designed hit #1 on NYT. Does that count???)
*do marketing (I know I do that)
*have books in paperback (are those the things I'm selling at the store?)
Sooooooooooooooo... what exactly am I missing?
An agent? Well, okay. I'd admit that I do want one of those-- someday.
Do I want wide distribution? Heck yeah. I'd love to go into BAM, see my book, point to it, and tell an employ, "Yeah, that's right... that's me." ;)
However,
Writing isn't like brain surgery. No one will die if you don't use the perfect verb.
Writing is creative and it is emotional, all things you can do if you are indie or trade published.
Writing SHOULD be something you grow at-- but that goes for people who have debuted their first indie book to people who have hit New York Times 17 times and have trade deals. We learn. We grow. We move on.
Do I look down at traditionally published authors?
Heck no! I think they are super cool and awesome! I love their books, follow them on twitter, and basically fangirl the heck out.
Do I look down at indie published authors?
Heck no! I think they are super cool and awesome! I love their books, follow them on twitter, and basically fangirl the heck out.
Just like everything else, there are bad indie books, and there are good indie books. There are good traditional books, and there are some that make you wonder how they got published.
But that's the beauty of books!
That's the beauty of getting to choose what you want to read!
Side note: Some authors are hybrid, meaning they self-publish and publish through a publisher. Does that mean they are only half-'real' authors? Hmmmmmmmmmmm..... #pointstoponder.
The take away is this...
If you don't want to read a book because it is indie, that is your right. However, saying all indie books are bad, worthless, and horrible isn't okay. It is, in fact, a lie.
There is a book called THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING that is WONDERFUL! I highly recommend it even if you aren't a writer. If you are on the fence about "real" vs. "indie" books, this is a great read. Some traditional authors actually CHOOSE to go indie because they can make more money. #IKNOW! Imagine... someone choosing to self-publish and NOT because they aren't real authors or can't get a book out any other way... #crazyworld ;)
My dream publishing route would be hybrid... just saying.
Cause it's the.. wait for it... Best of both worlds!
I'll let myself out.
Indie authors, here is a BIG HUG.
Traditional authors, here is a BIG HUG.
Writers on your first book, here is a BIG HUG.
Writing isn't easy.
Publishing isn't easy.
Indie or trade...
Your fingers hurt, your back hurts, you cry, you doubt, you smile, you create.
YOU are an author.
Now... go write all the words.
MUCH LOVE AND HAPPY READING,
Kelly
9 Comments
12/31/2016 12:17:59 am
Great post, Kelly! You're right. People shouldn't generalize and say all indie books are bad, because there are some great ones. Are some of them bad? Sure.But so are some traditionally published books.I loved the comparison to Pinocchio. Anyone who has written as many books as you have is a REAL author, no question!
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1/26/2017 04:55:52 am
It's true that discrimination and a situation like this still happens. Being an indie author, they should realize that we write and deliver same as the mainstream authors, well in some cases, we deliver much better than them. People should be reoriented with this reality and that they should never consider us any less of a writer. We deserve respect and acknowledgment also.
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3/3/2017 08:01:45 am
Well, that was quite unusual. I would like to get more overviews on that. It should be nice.
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3/17/2017 05:34:33 am
That is so wanderful to have such cartoons and that would be great to watch it.
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3/27/2017 10:05:19 am
I like reading very much and that is so much love in your message. That is really cool to read such things like that.
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4/20/2017 12:27:12 pm
This is a very nice book and I really liked it. I spend many hours reading it.
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7/6/2017 03:11:20 am
I'm really glad I didn't read the original article. You have a great take on it and I totally agree with what you said. I've only published one novel so far (written lots more) and it's hard work. Period. However you do it--Indie, Traditional, Small press, Hybrid...It's just hard. They all have their challenges. Instead of tearing each other down, we should encourage one another. I mean, how many people say they want to write a book but never do? Just getting the words all down on the page is a major accomplishment!
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6/26/2019 10:38:50 pm
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6/30/2019 10:26:55 pm
first time I visit your website. I open some posts and find quality of work, I also like your website layout. I have bookmark your website and again I will visit your website soon
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Follow Kelly...About Kelly MartinKelly Martin is an Amazon bestseller and award-winning author. She loves abandoned house photography, ghost stories, and trying to figure out what goes bump in the night. New Series Progress
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Books by Kelly Martin
Paranormal The Afterlife of Lizzie Monroe The Heartless Series (complete): Heartless Soulless Breathless Hart Reckless DDT Series (complete): Dark and Deadly Things Dark and Devious Things Dark and Dreadful Things Dark and Desperate Things Dark and Dangerous Things Fairy Tale Series (complete): Betraying Ever After The Beast of Ravenston The Glass Coffin Contemporary The Deception of Devin Miller B.I.G. is Beautiful: A Love Story YA Inspirational Crossing the Deep Love in the 80s Once Bitten, Twice Shy Current YOUTUBE videos
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