Tag: traditional publishing

If the Box Doesn’t Fit, Don’t Wear It

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: photo http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1426375 by Bas van den Eijkhof http://www.sxc.hu/profile/mistermast” width=”222″ height=”247″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3295″ style=”border: none;]Most new authors dream of getting a book deal; having a publisher contact them and say, hey, we want your book. I’ll reserve comment on the value of getting a book deal for another conversation.

Some time back a client turned down not one, but two book deals. Two publishing houses approached them and said, hey, we want your book, just sign on the dotted line.

And they thought and they thought and they said, I don’t fit in the box you’d like to put me in.

And then they said the hardest word in the language of business: … more … “If the Box Doesn’t Fit, Don’t Wear It”

How Do I Know if I’m a Real Writer or Not?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: ?]In another of my newsletter signup welcome email conversations, Michael asked,

As an old guy, my only real question about publishing in general is: am I considered to be a writer, for real, if I’m not published by a traditional publisher?

By you, or by traditional publishers, or by your readers, or by your family, or by other self-published authors?

You might guess that some folks will look down on you, and some won’t.

I think the answer that matters is what it feels like to you.

I’ve self-published 10 books. Anyone who thinks I’m not an author, a real writer, can take a flying leap. I know what I am.

You probably do, too.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to be who you are and do what you do.

Is Your Goal “Getting Published” or “Being an Author” ?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

photo http://www.sxc.hu/photo/656380 by belinda cumming http://www.sxc.hu/profile/belleoftheI’ve asked every question I can think of; asked everyone I can find.

The short version is that if your lifelong goal has been to “get published” then a traditional publisher is the only one who’ll fulfill your dream.

But if your goal is
… more … “Is Your Goal “Getting Published” or “Being an Author” ?”

Use a Self-Publishing Company or DIY?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Publishing is in a state of flux. Every variation of publishing is possible today, from throwing it over the transom to an agent who handles it all, to doing every single step yourself.

image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1093389 by http://www.sxc.hu/profile/dlnnyIn between are various levels of self-publishing, defined to some extent by the balance of responsibility and risk shared by the publisher and the author. Understanding those differences is vital to your success. When I was asked the question in the title the first part of the answer was getting our definitions straight.
… more … “Use a Self-Publishing Company or DIY?”

Traditional Publishing Doesn’t Hate Self-Publishing So Why Should You?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

“We’re very interested in self-publishing, this is a way we can spot talent,” says Victoria Barnsley, chief executive at HarperCollins.

“It helps take some of the risk away from us if we can actually see something is already working.”

That quote from an article at BBC News is one of the most sensible things I’ve seen written about the relationship of traditional publishers and self-publishing. A balanced and realistic article.