Publishing is going through a major transition. And with change come great new innovations, ideas, and creativity – but also bad blood: the us vs. them mentality.
I hate the us vs. them mentality.
Traditional publishing, indie publishing, self publishing, and any other way someone publishes has its pros and cons. No option is correct for everyone. No option is better than the other. No option is broken.
As long as your publishing method gets your book to a reader, the system you use works. Is it the best method for your book? May or maybe not. But before we discount a method let’s really think about what we are all trying to do: get people reading.
If our main goal is to get people to read instead of the numerous other options they have to spend time on (watching TV, spending time with family/friends, working extra hours, etc.) then how do we achieve this? I can tell you one thing for sure: it won’t be done by telling readers what they are reading is wrong.
So before spouting off about how someone is wrong to enjoy a self published book or a parasite for reviewing traditionally published books, stop. The only thing the us vs. them mentality accomplishes is shoving people away from the one goal we all share: getting people to read.
Great reminder, Kate! It’s true, this is something that seems to still be around a lot and it’s too bad. I agree with you that the main topic of conversation should be “how do we get more people to read?” Authors aren’t so much competing with other authors, but other formats of entertainment.
Thank you Katie! I find that focusing on how to get people reading is the best use of our time. I love seeing when authors get together for promotion, after all most who read won’t just read one book so working together can be a great way to reach more readers!
I love how clearly you were able to spell it out. Anyone interested in books should want the market to be engaged and expanding. A vendor, regardless of size, that demeans their customers and prospective customers is not doing themselves or the industry and favors.
Thank you! This has been something on my mind for a long time and one night I just started writing it out, it was time. I believe that not only vendors, but also authors, publishers, bloggers, etc can fall prey to this mindset and it doesn’t help us in the long run. If we want to see more people reading we need to stand together and support reading, not tear down each other.
There is no us vs. them and it’s scary to see the cult-like phenomena of each side at times. Is there corruption in traditional publishing? YES. It is absurd. Do indie publishers have a hard time reaching big markets? YES. Also absurd. Are there serious conversations to be held about the quality – and sometimes lack thereof – of self-publishing? YES. However…
For the corruption, there is also good in traditional publishing and many authors do like the assistance of an agent/publisher/marketing team. For some authors, this legitimizes their writing and that’s a personal decision as far as each individual’s goals.
For their small size, indie publishers often allow greater diversity. They’re less concerned about marketability because they don’t generally offer advances and they can take bigger chances. This allows new markets to be explored and gives more authors a chance to be read. For some authors, getting the books out there is the primary goal, regardless of how.
For all its talk of quality, self-publishing gives a writer control over his or her work. It also opens up even more avenues. Even small publishers often won’t look at certain genres or short stories or novellas. Readers will. This gives readers greater variety and no one is forcing anyone to read anything he or she sees as lacking in quality. Many authors like this option, especially when they’ve tried everything else, because they believe in their work.
Many authors seem themselves as artists and some others feel they’re business-minded. This is a personal reflection and authors should not be discouraged for choosing the best method for themselves. My biggest concern is that there are still a large number of bloggers and readers who will not look at anything not traditionally published with a mainstream publisher. On the other hand, I understand why, as they have so many books to read and they can’t look at everything.
Ideally, the real goal should be focusing on readers. Once readers really control the choices available, this will hopefully fade. Very few readers care who published the book; the challenge is still, of course, getting them to see past the giant marketing campaigns (managed on both “sides” of this equation).
You said it Sarah! I’ve always found that there are those in every method of publishing that put down other methods. It has always saddened me to see this because each method has benefits for certain authors (and sometimes even for certain books). There are also plenty of people who don’t waste time taking sides and instead focus on writing good books and connecting with readers. We need more people like that. We are all in this together, every publisher, author, publishing professional. We need readers and readers need books so together I want to see us publish the best books and support each other in the process.
I love this post! It’s the most important that people enjoy what they read and there wouldn’t be so many different genres if there would be one right taste. I love it that there’s something for everyone and that there are so many great choices these days. I read a mix of all of the above and don’t want to miss a true gem because of a label. Your post is a great reminder that being judgmental is never the right way.
Thank you so much Lavender! I agree with you. I find it is so important for us to focus on sharing the love of reading rather than picking sides and arguing over things that in the long run just don’t matter as much.
*Applauds* I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Thanks Patricia! It’s been one of those topics I’ve felt passionate about for a long time. And now with all the uproar I think it is even more important we gather together and support reading.
Great comments Kate! I was once told that since I was using a Print on Demand site for my books that they really weren’t published but simply printed. It’s very frustrating for me to hear that especially if I’m not of a mind to go the traditional publishing route.
Thanks, Chris! Yes the stigma against self-publishing can be very disheartening at times, but as long as your book is for sale you ARE a published author and should strive to make the best book possible because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s really all about.