So I’ve joined a fun and supportive blog hop that celebrates independent authors that requires you write one post about anything self-publishing once a month. If you’re interested in reading some of today’s posts or joining up as well, click on the icon above.
I came across a fascinating blog post on Kboards from a best-selling, formally traditionally published author, Elisa Beth Naughton. If you have the time, you can read it for yourself here. Otherwise, I’ll try my best to summarize.
Naughton opened up about the struggles she had when she was traditionally published where she used any meager profit she made for her own books’ publicity and claimed a negative income on her taxes (even being on the best-selling list). She brings up the fact that she was so focused on the prestige of being traditionally published that she was unaware of the poor contract she signed for her books. Many times, authors will trade many of their rights and profits just to say that they’re traditionally published. As soon as she got some of her book titles back, she decided to follow a few of her successfully self-published friends and dove into indie waters. She admits it took some hard work to get her books noticed again, but is now claiming possibly seven figures this year on her income tax from self-publishing alone!
She admits that self-publishing isn’t for everyone (and I’m sure having her name well-known prior to self-publishing helped her immensely), but she makes a great point by saying that she is so glad she writes in an age where authors have these choices. It is so important to realize that self-publishing allows every author that choice.
If you don’t get represented by an agent, you have a choice.
If you don’t get picked up by a publisher, you have a choice.
If you don’t get offered a great contract, you have a choice.
If you don’t make much profit off your traditionally published book, you have a choice.
If you get your books backlisted, you have a choice.
Self-publishing gives us all a choice, even if you do decide to go the traditionally published route. It’s in every author’s best interest to support indies so that they always have a potentially profitable alternative out there (and hopefully publishers will become wary of this and offer better deals to keep their authors happy).
When I was querying agents (and my dream agent actually was interested!) I probably would have accepted anything to just get published. I’m so glad that I did go it on my own for the very reasons that Naughton points out:
“I get to write the books I want to write, the way I want to write them, and I get to release them when I want…not when a publisher can fit me into their schedule. For me, self publishing is a perfect fit and no matter where I go from here, it will definitely be part of my career plan.
Of course, this all seems fabulous and it sounds like I’m making tons of money, doesn’t it? But you have to remember that I wrote for ten years without making a penny. Three plus of which as a published author. If you add up what I’ve made self publishing and divide it by ten years, trust me, it’s not much in the long run. But the growth potential is there, and that’s what keeps me going. There was a time not long ago when I was pretty sure I was going to have to go back to teaching because I wasn’t making any money writing. I was even looking at job postings online, trying to find a science position in my area. Now that’s all changed. I get to keep doing what I love. I get to keep writing the books readers love because of self publishing.”
I’m so happy that Naughton has found such rewarding success in self-publishing, especially after working so hard for all those years. I’m definitely content with my small successes at this point and thank the universe everyday that I had this option available. My series would never have been published and there are many fans that have thanked me for writing them.
Options are always a wonderful thing 🙂
Thanks for joining Indie Life! Elizabeth’s post was very enlightening – and inspiring! And I like your take – that all authors should support indies, to keep that option open to them! Nice!
Thanks, Susan! I’ve been enjoying Indelible posts all morning. What a wonderful blog hop!
Oh, I remember reading that post the other day. Really interesting example of the advantages of self publishing.
I like your take on how having options helps writers even if they don’t take those options. It is cool that there’s no longer just one path to writing success. Plus, it gives readers more options as well!
And indie life is my favorite blog hop of all time. Just saying.
I just joined up and it’s awesome! Going to check your post out 🙂
haha…I already commented on your blog! I’ve still got half of them to read 🙂
Yes, options are a wonderful thing! 🙂 Thanks for sharing some indie author love!
I’ll reiterate Susan Kaye Quinn. Thanks for joining Indie Life. Self Publishing is a choice. And an excellent one too. =)
Thanks for the welcome, RaShelle!
As an author who has published both ways, I can get behind this post. Not only is it a good idea for traditionally pubbed authors to support and applaud indie authors, but indie authors should applaud traditionally-pubbed authors too, because going forward many of them will, for a variety of reasons, be indie publishing as well. The future will include more hybrids.
That is a great point, Catherine. I do think the future will be more hybrids because the truth is every project is different. I was told my series would never be picked up because it was a true series and publishers like stand alones. So it worked out for me to publish them, but down the line, I might write a stand alone novel that could attract a publisher and better visibility might be of interest. Thanks for stopping by!
Totally agree, some of the contracts traditional publishing authors have to sign are very complicated and sometimes dubious. But when they were the only option (before self publishing took off) there was little you could do and I guess the excitement of signing a contract kind of overshadows everything else. I am glad she is making the money she deserves from her writing after years of almost nothing.
Naughton even made a point that she really didn’t even know what other authors were making. Successful indie publishers help all authors…they will keep publishers on their toes.
Thanks for telling Naughton’s story. This is very eye-opening. I think the glitter and glamor of traditional publishing can obscure the reality sometimes.
I’m so glad Naughton shared her story. It will help a lot of authors.
Your post helped me think in the midst of being offered a publishing contract by a publisher. It came around the right time! Ah, the freedom of being indie.
What crazy timing! So gad to have helped, Sara. Just keep at it and you’ll start to see some nice results soon.
Thank you! 🙂 Also, I just added a review on Amazon (Finally!) for Infinite Loss. I’m going to read it again now that it’s all finalized and published. Can’t wait!