I highly recommend all writers read this blog by Rachelle Gardner. She’s an agent with Books and Such Literary Agency and her blog is a great source for published and unpublished authors. Her advice is valuable for self-published and traditionally published authors. It’s also a resource for unpublished writers trying to break into the publishing world.
Today’s blog addresses one of my passions. We are in a very exciting time right now as writers. The publishing world is in a revolution. There is no good guy/bad guy scenario here; there is a place for both the traditional and the new. The internet has given all of us a level playing field, as long as we do it right.
As writers, it is our responsibility to publish our very best work. If we want the new and exciting world of self-publishing – whether print or electronic versions – to succeed, we must be certain what is published is high quality. Self-publishing does not mean sloppy publishing, although if you download enough .99 cent Kindle books you might start to think that’s true.
I’ve decided to self-publish Live from the Road as an e-book through Kindle. Even though the novel has been completed for several years, I never tried to publish it because of the demands of my life at the time. It had been edited once when I originally finished it. When I pulled it out again, I decided it was worth it to give the e-book route a whirl. I hired another editor to go through it. I’m in the process of incorporating all the second editor’s comments and suggestions and still adding my own edits as I go. I plan to release it in two weeks but it’s going to take my full time attention to make it a work I’m proud to have out on the internet.
I encourage every writer entering into this new world to do the same. It’s the only way to make self-publishing a serious alternative to the old masters of the publishing world.
P.C. ZICK 