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Young Writers Society


Publish online? Self publishing?



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Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:46 pm
davischen says...



Hi, I would like to know how you guys think about online publishing and self publishing.

If no one wants to publish my work, should I try self publishing or just write another story.
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Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:17 pm
Tigersprite says...



Only self-publish if you don't really want to make any money. Self-publishing and online publishing (same thing, really) are bad, bad ideas. It's difficult for me to accurately tell you it's dangers and disadvantages, so refer to these:

http://sf-fandom.blogspot.com/2010/02/r ... blish.html

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/PODstats.shtml

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/esub.shtml

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/vanity.shtml

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/dream.shtml

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/selfpub.shtml

Hope these help.

TIGERSPRITE
"A superman ... is, on account of certain superior qualities inherent in him, exempted from the ordinary laws which govern men. He is not liable for anything he may do."
Nathan Leopold
  





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Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:12 pm
dreamybanana says...



You should try another story. Go back to the one that didn't make it a year later and you may just realise why it got rejected, and therefore how to improve it.

I've been rejected three times (I sent one off when I was 14, 16,17) and at the time it was the best I could do. My last got quite far too; I really thought I had it but then the rug was pulled from under my feet. It's all about the next project.

It only take a read back a few months later to realise why it wasn't good enough. Each time I thought 'I'll self-publish instead', but the truth is, you'll need a literary agent for legal matters, advertising, to get critics and reviews, to get proper editing, a book cover that looks brilliant AND to be taken seriously. Self publishing can also show literary agents that you've given up a little. Instead of making your novel better, you've just pushed it out when it may not be ready, and you've very unlikely to make any sales as the price will have to be high, and you'll be up against books that literary agents did think would sell well.

What you can do though, is print off just one copy of your novel (a proof copy) so that it's tangible, real. It's a great motivator. If you complete the Nanowrimo it's free and the process will show you how complicated and expressive it is to create a completed book worth going on the market.

I could go on, but I think that's the gist. Good luck with your writing!
It's hard to find angels in hell...
...aqui en la oscuridad se quien soy.
  





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Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:47 pm
MeanMrMustard says...



Look at this way, very simply put: You should never ever pay to get published in a book entirely of your own.
  








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