I've self published a book.  I bought a batch of ISBNs (I have 8 left) and opened a publishing company, basically.  I also recorded an audio book.  It was a short youth novel/children's book based on the play I wrote.  I self published so that I could have copies in time to sell at the play performances.  I'm still planning to send it and my scripts to an agent btw...

I can not for the life of me remember the blog I found about self publishing, but it was amazing... I'll find it tomorrow because we're getting ready to film right now.

This is the book, btw

My friend has done it but I don't know anything about it.  Here is their book.

My only real question is if I can be among those that preview your book and give feedback on it.  I heart reading.  A lot.

here is a really good article that talks about self publishing.

http://www.techdirt.com/blog/casestudies/articles/20110321/00183913568/best-selling-author-turns-down-half-million-dollar-publishing-contract-to-self-publish.shtml

it points to a conversation with the authors mentioned. it's really enlightening.

i have a couple indie author friends and I'm trying to learn from their choices and the consequences they've faced.

Finding an agent to query is crazy. You have to really research and 1. make sure they're taking queries. 2. they fit your genre.

what is your genre going to be? fiction has so many subcategories.

apparently there is a lot of "rules of etiquette" when it comes to querying. If someone asks for a sample of your work, for the most part they want to be the only ones sampling. BUT you have to do what is fair to you. You don't want to give them 3 months with your book only for them to pass. That means you have to start all over again. To me you have to be aware of those things, so you set a more reasonable time line for their viewing.

for me personally, I am going to query a certain amount of agents. I have a timeline in my head for it to happen. If I don't get representation in that time, then I'll self publish through Amazon, smashwords and maybe BN. Hopefully my book will get some hits and some good publicity and I can send it out again.

Three years ago self publishing was looked it super negatively by the publishing world. However, people love going on amazon and buying books and now the ubiquitous "they" are having to reevaluate the way the industry is run. Like the article said
"the business should be about selling Books not paper."

I would love nothing more than going on some big book tour, but even successful writers don't go on book tours until they've had multiple best sellers, or they pay for it out of pocket. A lot of what we think about the publishing industry, isn't reality and the more you research and the more knowledge you are armed with, the less likely it will be that you'll be taken advantage of.

eeek sorry for the novel.

Exactly this.  This was what led me to self publish, and even buy a "lot" of isbns!

“

dianne said ...
I would love nothing more than going on some big book tour, but even successful writers don't go on book tours until they've had multiple best sellers, or they pay for it out of pocket. A lot of what we think about the publishing industry, isn't reality and the more you research and the more knowledge you are armed with, the less likely it will be that you'll be taken advantage of.

”

I've already told you how excited I am that you are doing this! :)

A family friend published an e-book through amazon. He might have some insight if you need it.

 Ha! I will definitely keep that in mind Michelle! I've already realized that I hate the idea of anyone I'm not REALLY close to reading these first drafts though. There is definitely a lot of work that needs to be done, and I hate the idea of most people seeing anything besides the finished product... I'm kind of weirdly committed to everyone LOVING it right now. I might need to get over that! ;)

“

Michelle S. said ...
My only real question is if I can be among those that preview your book and give feedback on it.  I heart reading.  A lot.

”

 Thanks for this Dianne! I forwarded it on to my dad, who is really not a big fan of me self publishing!

“

dianne said ...
here is a really good article that talks about self publishing.

”

 I think this is what I'm leaning towards as well. What do you think about Lulu? Or even sites that do hybrid publishing?

“

dianne said ...
for me personally, I am going to query a certain amount of agents. I have a timeline in my head for it to happen. If I don't get representation in that time, then I'll self publish through Amazon, smashwords and maybe BN. Hopefully my book will get some hits and some good publicity and I can send it out again.

”

 Dude. I KNEW I should have done a better job of networking (sleeping around) when I lived in the lower 48! ;)

No, I don't know any of these people... but I HAVE had some good convesrations with a published author I know in the last week and she gave me some really great tips!

“

johana said ...
Do you know anyone who works for a publisher? Or as an agent? Or know a guy who knows a guy? ;) This is how I organise my life. ;) No shame... :D

”

i like the idea of hybrid publishing. I think I would probably give it a shot. I really do believe in my book. I know most authors do as well. We have to, in order to keep going.

I wish I lived in a bigger city. Nashville would be an awesome place to do hybrid publishing. To me, you have to get yourself out there and hit the pavement with the hard copies of the book, convince bookstores to put you out there.

Right now, I am really trying to get into the artists scene in Huntsville. Get my name out there and people to know my face. We have a huge indie community here in town, and I feel like if I can talk up my book and get people interested, I might be able to get enough revenue from e-book release to warrant doing a hybrid run.

btw if you price your book between 3-9.99 you get around 70% back and only pay amazon 30. With traditional publishing it's soooo much less.

“

S.I.F. said ...
 I think this is what I'm leaning towards as well. What do you think about Lulu? Or even sites that do hybrid publishing?

”