On my way home from the Romance Writers of America National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, I met a fellow writer in the airport. She was so dazzled by the success stories spotlighted at the conference, the growing number of indie and hybrid romance authors who reported earning substantial and even impressive income from their writing by taking advantage of self-publishing. After attending workshops with titles like “How to Make Six Figures Quietly as an Indie Author,” she was ready to jump in with both feet and try her luck. She planned to quit her day job to focus on her writing, even though she had not yet completed a manuscript. My stomach sank as I considered her prospects and the incredible risk she was taking based on the undeniable success of several select authors. Had she been given false hope, or were her chances as good as the hype suggested?
Code Green
Separating Self-Publishing Facts from Fiction
Am I selling myself short if I self-publish, or will I make my own writing dreams come true? If I take years trying to win a traditional contract instead of putting my work out now to sell, am I being wise or foolish? I’m one of a multitude of writers grappling with these vexing questions, but as a social scientist, I also have the knowledge and skills to turn off the emotion and critically analyze the data.
Are Self-Published Books Flooding the Book Market?
Discoverability is a matter of life and death for book sales, and despite the promise of social networking and online advertising, it is increasingly difficult to compete in the crowded book market. Common sense in the publishing world blames self-publishing for the tidal wave of books that has made discoverability such a challenge. But common sense is merely what a lot of people think, and sometimes it is wrong.
Author Meets Social Scientist
When I started writing novels, I had no intention of conducting research on the book industry. Like many authors, I found myself turning to writing during an emotionally difficult period in my life. Unlike my rigorous and exacting research work, fiction writing gave me an amazing sense of freedom and creativity. I didn’t have to struggle with the complexities of analyzing data. I didn’t need any interview subjects or survey respondents. I didn’t have to spend hours pouring through archives and documenting sources. I could make it all up, say whatever I wanted. My first novel poured out of me in a cathartic rush. I read it over, decided it wasn’t bad, and thought as many new writers do, Wow, maybe I could make some money at this.