Becoming a "Real" Boy-- The Self-Publishing Stigma

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