Why indeed. After all, bestseller status rarely beckons for the self publishing and indie author, despite phenomenal success stories like Rachel Abbott, Nick Spalding and Adam Croft. There's a lot of competition out there (according to Bowker 32 million books are now in print...and counting!) so many self-funding writers find it hard to get attention for their books let alone make sales.
However for many writers superstar status is extremely low on a list of priorities. There are far more interesting and personally satisfying elements to the publishing journey (although let’s be honest, a million sales would be nice!).
Almost every author who comes to SilverWood Books has a different reason for wanting to get their book into print.
Do any of these apply to you and your work?
- My book is local interest, and unlikely to attract a mainstream publisher.
- I’ve written a memoir that my friends and family have said they’d like to read.
- I’m confident there’s a wider market for my book and I have a clear plan for promoting and selling it to my potential readers.
- I want to test the market and see what responses are to my writing.
- I’m an established author but my backlist is out-of-print and I want to make sure my books are available again.
- I run a business and have written a book that can be sold or given away as part of my talks, seminars and other business activities.
- I want to publish my book for a sense of personal achievement.
- I’ve spent years researching our family history and want to share it, as well as leave a legacy for future generations of our family.
- I've written a novel that's been turned down by mainstream publishers - but I don't want to abandon my writing because I think there are readers out there who will enjoy my story.
- I have time, energy, resourcefulness, drive... and a budget to see it through.
- I simply want to finish this project and see it in book form.
- I’m retired and self-publishing is a fun hobby - my partner has their hobby, while I write and publish books.
- There’s a time issue... I can’t afford to wait for a mainstream publisher to show interest, but want to get my work into readers' hands quickly.
- My poetry is languishing in a drawer and I’d like to see it published. If anyone buys it, that’s a bonus!
Whatever your reasons, they’re all valid...
As publishing expert Dr Alison Baverstock, author of The Naked Author: a guide to self-publishing, says of publishing your own work, "While it is very seldom a direct route to riches, it can be a route to self-fulfilment, and this may be just as important."
It’s important to approach your self-publishing project with realistic expectations and an understanding of what your journey will entail:
- Do your research, find out how much time, energy and budget is going to be taken up when you decide to publish a book.
- Appreciate that while you hope to sell many copies of your book, you may only sell a few.
- Profit should be a bonus rather than your reason for doing it.
- Most of all, do it because it’s fun and because you want to.
Want to talk about self-publishing with SilverWood support? Drop a line to publishing director Helen Hart here.
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“If you’re thinking of self-publishing, I hope you don't go at it alone. With a team like SilverWood behind you, you have the support you need to publish the best work you believe in.”
