Some (optimistic-ish) thoughts on self-publishing.

[Stephen Palmer]

I suppose a more accurate phrasing would be, 'No work worth doing is easy.' A lot of people look at my 27-year publishing career, my 20+ books with many pro British and American publishers, my Guardian reviews, my book covers, my reviews generally, and say, wow Steve, you've had it great! Well, maybe I have, but I've had to fight like a Viking every step of the way, including right now - today. I've had to struggle and push, and use genre networks, and blag and ask for everything. Nothing in all those 27 years was easy. So, in a nutshell, I suppose that's what I'm saying.

 

[Coragem]

Nothing worth doing is easy.

As long as it IS worth doing, I'm good.

 

[Toby Frost]

Well, maybe I have, but I've had to fight like a Viking every step of the way, including right now - today. I've had to struggle and push, and use genre networks, and blag and ask for everything. Nothing in all those 27 years was easy.

I know what you mean. It is hard. I think sometimes people assume that because you're doing something creative, it's easy and fun. Often writing is hard work, and promotion is always hard work and often depressing.

 

[Montero]

Need button that says 100% or THIS

 

[ANV]

Now I am starting to be afraid my story will stay locked in my laptop...

 

[Montero]

It might. But maybe the next one won't. Or when you are famous all your stories will be snapped up, including your back catalogue.

 

[Wayne Mack]

There is always a chance for success: The surprising story of how Andy Weir's self-published book 'The Martian' topped best seller lists and got a movie deal

 

[Montero]

Every so often I trot out the story from watching a documentary on publishing, and Catherine Cookson's submitted manuscript was dropped in the bin. Editor's secretary needed a book for the train ride home as she'd finished her book, so pulled the manuscript out of the bin and came in the next morning to drop it on the editor's desk saying "you must publish this".