cszego ([info]cszego) wrote in [info]bakkaphoenix,
2007-08-09 17:03:00
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AN OPEN LETTER

Dear Writer who, because the publishing industry is so tough to break into decides to publish her novel on her own, or believes his interests are best served by self-publication, or is truly, truly convinced her/his work is too original/daring/polka-dotted for 'regular publishers',

You're wrong.

Sincerely,
Bakka-Phoenix Books


PS: We're not dissing your writing. It's the distribution that matters.

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  • 18 comments

[info]leahbobet

August 9 2007, 21:27:39 UTC 4 years ago

...oh dear. *g* Is this a Story (tm)?

[info]sandwichboy

August 9 2007, 22:31:19 UTC 4 years ago

...Okay, I've gotta ask. *pokes the bear*

[info]delta_november

August 9 2007, 22:34:22 UTC 4 years ago

Tell us a story, auntie-Chris!

[info]twiegand

August 9 2007, 23:18:01 UTC 4 years ago

Yes, yes please do.

[info]jimhines

August 10 2007, 00:22:10 UTC 4 years ago

I'm going to be pointing some folks to this entry, I think...

[info]epi_lj

August 10 2007, 00:27:56 UTC 4 years ago

Hm. What about those of us who just write goofy things for fun and don't pretend they're publishable and give them away online in that spirit?

[info]syngen262

August 10 2007, 01:31:36 UTC 4 years ago

?!?!?!?!
This about a couple of the books you and Ben pointed out to me last day?

[info]brashley46

August 10 2007, 01:52:44 UTC 4 years ago

The Lion smells a story too ... but not a particularly happy one.

Please tell me it doesn't involve PublishAmurrica.

[info]avatarprimeb

August 10 2007, 02:18:14 UTC 4 years ago

For the record...

If you just want to get your story out without going through the hassles of jumping through industry hoops, there is FictionPress.Com.
Granted, it doesn't have the cachet of actual publication, and you won't make any money off of it, but at least you have your work being looked at by people who aren't your mother.

[info]drakkenfyre

August 11 2007, 11:02:39 UTC 4 years ago

Re: For the record...

But who will see it besides your mother and everyone on your Christmas present list?

[info]mmarques

August 10 2007, 04:35:34 UTC 4 years ago

OT: what time is EB reading/signing planned?

I read that Elizabeth Bear will be doing a reading/signing at Bakka on August 18. Do you know what time that event will happen? I've booked off the day on my calendar, as I want to get both new books and get them signed.

[info]cszego

August 10 2007, 14:48:27 UTC 4 years ago

Re: OT: what time is EB reading/signing planned?

The signing will get started at 3pm. Which likely means closer to 3:15, but you get the idea: we put the food out at 3. And it will run until... whenever.

Bear is great: you'll really enjoy meeting her.

[info]monkeyman

August 10 2007, 11:24:01 UTC 4 years ago

*snicker* Okay, you've got to tell the rest of this story, without giving names of course.

I've done zines, of course, but I'm hoping I never wind up going this route with all my work.

[info]sksperry

August 10 2007, 12:36:15 UTC 4 years ago

Thanks.

[info]cszego

August 10 2007, 16:42:24 UTC 4 years ago

Dude, you KNOW I'm not talking to you. Downloadable writing is a whole 'nother story.

[info]sksperry

August 10 2007, 22:37:15 UTC 4 years ago

True, but trust me, some of the things you said apply. *g*

[info]cszego

August 10 2007, 15:01:13 UTC 4 years ago

No, honestly this isn't a story. It's real advice. Yeah, there may be a lot of not-so-great reading out there in self-published land, but I know you've all looked up from a page of a 'traditionally' published book and thought, "This sucks! How did it get published?" Recently, and somewhat to my surprise, I've read a few self-published titles that were actually quite good.

But...

I've also seen writers spend huge amounts of money on SP projects, almost none of which come to fruition. We've heard the heartbreaking stories from those who got taken by PublishAmerica, and the like. We've watched as a writer's dream turned to ash right before his eyes.

Because, to paraphrase the Princess Bride, if you haven't got your distribution, you haven't got anything.

[info]drakkenfyre

August 11 2007, 11:06:08 UTC 4 years ago

Absolutely. It's so sad, the number of people who send us queries that say, "I'm a real, published author(TM)! I have a book out with Publish America and my second will be out with Lulu any day now. Publish my third book, because I'm a bankable name." Yeah.

These people are trying to take shortcuts. Yes the market is hard, but you'll still get farther within traditional publishing than you will without.
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