Re: Hello! Is it safe to use self-publishing websites? I'm a little wary of those that say their publishing tools are free to use because you never know if what they say is true. I don't want to end up having to pay for something that I was told is free.
You could check out what other Indie-Published authors use. I follow several authors who used to be traditionally published, and now Indie-Publish. I follow:
Amazon (KDP) is totally safe to use and it's free.
I also use Draft2Digital - they are a distributor and I use them to get my books into iBooks,, Kobo, Nook, and Tolino (and a few tiny other ones). It is also free, but they take a percentage, which is fair.
In self-publishing, you need to do your research. And feel free to ask here - I've been on this journey for five years now.
People I read and follow:
Kris Rusch (former editor of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction), indie author, business woman
Dean Wesley Smith, indie author and publisher
Lindsay Buroker (SFF marketing podcast), indie author
David Gaughran, indie author and Amazon expert
Joanna Penn, indie author and consultant, weekly podcast
There are plenty of resources out there. Indie authors are quite a market factor by now.
Re: Hello! So, self publishing with Amazon is definitely free, is it, no matter what country you're in? How about self publishing with Lulu? Is that one free, too?
Besides rejection from publishers, another thing I've noticed over the past few years is that people who are already successful authors seem very reluctant to give a helping hand to a beginner. Out of all the authors I've either met or spoken to via email, only one agreed to read my work. The rest refused. I used to be a member of a group called Writers Victoria, but even they refused to read my stories.
Re: Hello! IIRC, Lulu is free as well. They get their pay when you sell something. Though they all do have packages you can purchase, you don't have to if you don't want to.
Should you want to try and go the traditional route, the books to purchase in the US are:
Re: Hello! Talira,
I would refuse to read someone else's work, at least in general. I have enough to do with my own stories and marketing. Don't see this as a lack of support. Those authors are simply protecting their writing time - which they must do if they make a living with their books.
You'll find lots of support in writing groups on FB. Just don't go in and demand it - people really dislike that.
I refuse to use Lulu, btw., for two reasons:
Their print versions are rather expensive and thus hard to sell. Their shipping prices are also rather high. CreateSpace or KDP Print work better for me.
And what's worse, Lulu cooperates with Author Solutions, the biggest company that's ... milking self-publishers for their money, to put it mildly. Most big publishers have a "side company" that they run with Author Solutions. Do not touch those with a three-foot pole.
I live in Australia and, to be honest, I'd prefer to self publish rather than take my chances sending a manuscript to a publisher. I can understand published authors want to spend as much time as they can on their own work, but would it really hurt to take a few minutes to point a beginner in the right direction and give them some helpful tips?
Re: Hello! Honestly, why would they do that? Can you imagine how often they get asked that? I'm taking time here for you, and so far, you're still only complaining.
There are plenty of websites out there to get someone started in self-publishing. Lots of books, as well.
Google the resources Joxenia and I mentioned - there's a lot to be learned there. You have to educate yourself. Nobody can do it for you. Join Kboards at Amazon, you'll find help there, as well.
Living in Australia means that self-publishing really is your best option. There are few publishers there, and even less take fantasy.
Self-publishing is a business. It's a difficult mindset to gain for many authors. But as in a business, you're absolutely responsible for your own growth and your decisions. Do not blame others for not helping you. You are responsible for figuring it out.
Besides rejection from publishers, another thing I've noticed over the past few years is that people who are already successful authors seem very reluctant to give a helping hand to a beginner. Out of all the authors I've either met or spoken to via email, only one agreed to read my work. The rest refused. I used to be a member of a group called Writers Victoria, but even they refused to read my stories.
quote:
Talira Greycrest wrote:
I can understand published authors want to spend as much time as they can on their own work, but would it really hurt to take a few minutes to point a beginner in the right direction and give them some helpful tips?
Authors have other reasons for not reading the works of others ... especially of those they don't know ... and that is for the same reason traditional publishers ask their authors to not read fanfiction ... they can be sued for stealing or plagiarism.
Have you joined Zoetrope? It's owned by, Francis Ford Coppola.
Re: Hello! Writers Victoria is not an author support group, even if they have a forum. It's a business, and they make money by having authors pay for their services.
(I have a coaching business for writers, but I still support people for free here and on Facebook.)
It would be worthwhile to resconsider your opinion about Facebook. There are dozens of groups where support is totally free (not always helpful), and some where you get business news first. It is also one place to market and find readers.
Re: Hello! I can understand now why other authors don't want to read my work, they don't want to get in trouble for stealing or copying things that other people have written.
I can understand now why other authors don't want to read my work, they don't want to get in trouble for stealing or copying things that other people have written.
Especially when they didn't steal or copy it. I had an idea for a novel that I didn't share with anyone, and Stephen King came out with a novel with the same exact idea. (Twin in the brain.) I got the idea from a "Ripley's Believe it or Not" episode. And I guess he did as well. His story is completely different from mine, but they both had that big reveal. (I've not read his book, nor seen the movie. Once I discovered he used my idea, I decided to avoid them should I try and finish mine. Once I've written mine, I'll read/watch his.) I was two-thirds of the way through the first draft. I may go back and finish it at some point. It isn't like there aren't other stories that all have the same ideas, but told very differently.
Or, perhaps Stephen King's idea came from this:
Plus, they could "copy/steal" without realizing they're doing it. I had a dream about a young woman who lived in a lab. She was used for 'parts' and as a 'surrogate' for her clone/twin. I turned the dream into a short story. Years later I realized that my dream came from an episode of "Sliders":