Book Promotions discussion

I know which self-publishing myths piss me off.
https://www.facebook.com/SemiCharmedA...

What about you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

While the example I'm about to give doesn't "piss me off" at all, it's worth mentioning here: when you give someone you know a paperback of your book, and they're visibly wary of reading it, simply because they know you self-published it. I don't blame 'em. I'd probably be skeptical if I was on the receiving end, too. It's still the nature of the beast, though I take comfort that the beast's reign isn't as mighty as it once was.

One myth that gets me is that if you self-publish, then it means you're not good enough for traditional publishing houses, or an agent wouldn't give you the time of day, so that means your writing must suck.

I am glad, though, that this myth is fading with time thanks to Amazon's Kindle, which opens the doors to a lot of good writers out there and give them a chance to show their stuff when others wouldn't.

Groovy wrote: "One myth that gets me is that if you self-publish, then it means you're not good enough for traditional publishing houses, or an agent wouldn't give you the time of day, so that means your writing ..."

I'm a firm believer in Stephen King's philosophy on a writer's talent: “If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn't bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented.” Talent isn't defined by whether or not an agent believes in you, in my opinion.

Quoleena wrote: "While the example I'm about to give doesn't "piss me off" at all, it's worth mentioning here: when you give someone you know a paperback of your book, and they're visibly wary of reading it, simply..."

I know what you mean. On the opposite end of the spectrum is when they read the paperback you give them, then they are in complete and utter shock that it was actually very good. I'm always glad to prove them wrong, but the shock is sometimes a little insulting.

I think many of these were the common view a few years ago, even a year ago, but self publishing no longer has the stigma it used to. Now, self publishing is nearly a parallel route with traditional publishing. Writers simply have choices now.

Isabel wrote: "Groovy wrote: "One myth that gets me is that if you self-publish, then it means you're not good enough for traditional publishing houses, or an agent wouldn't give you the time of day, so that mean..."

Exactly, Isabel

I can't pay my mortgage with my sales just yet, but I can pay my light bill. So, I have a little talent, right?

And as Sabrina quoted here, self-publishing is no longer the leprosy of the book world. We as writers have more choices. No longer can an agent stand at the publishing doors and decide whether or not we are worthy of getting in.

Thank you Amazon Kindle!