The five lures of traditional book publishers
“Do you have a book on you?” asks the fancy ad.
For many, the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
After my second book came out, I was talking to my barber. I mentioned the event and he asked me the title.
I told him, and in a tone more serious than that of a handicapper who had whispered an omniscient horse racing council, he declared, “I gave you that title!”
As I recall, one side of that haircut was worse than the other, because on some level my hairdresser mistakenly thought I was a muse.
Anyway, a minute ago I was wondering, “Why aren’t more people self-publishing?” In many ways it’s more efficient, and you certainly won’t turn down your own work, unless you have a genuine self-image problem.
What is it about traditional book publishers that keeps us pointing at them?
5 things:
(1) PRESTIGIOUS. Being published by a major press means you’ve arrived, you’re in relatively rare company.
(2) It is an ENDORSEMENT of you, as a writer. You are no longer an amateur.
(3) It’s the MONEY, stupid! Large publishers often offer advances against royalties, and you have the opportunity to set up a nice annuity if your book is a success.
(4) You have a chance at IMMORTALITY. Bertrand Russell, the monumental philosopher, said that we have children for two reasons: (1) ego gratification: it’s great to see the “little me’s” running around; and (2) The desire to survive death. His book, like a genetic legacy, could “live” in libraries and homes for generations.
(5) FAME. You may have the opportunity to do international press interviews, radio and television shows, and get a lot of publicity. People will tell you that they tuned in and there you were!
How can desktop publishing compete with the 5 lures of traditional publishers?
If you win the lottery and get published, that can be sweet. But every book they buy isn’t an instant hit. Most of them fail to reach a sizeable audience.
Self-publishing, on the other hand, is a sure thing. If you want to know that at least some readers will enjoy your ideas and craft, this is the way to go, and of course one thing can lead to another.
With a history of self-published sales, you may be able to land a big house to reprint and distribute your little offer.
Clarify what you really want and then do it. Either way, if someone finishes and publishes your book in any quantity, you should be duly proud.