To Be Free

I recently had a small discussion with another author, who I won't name, unless she comes here and names herself. (No, it's not Jude.) But, we had a decent chat about her firm belief in publishers, and my belief in self-publishing.

One thing she said to me, is that if I self publish that I am selling myself short, and that she was sorry I had such a low opinion of myself that I would give my work away for free. Neither of these I believe to be true.

If a publisher likes my novels, then they will accept them whether they were free once or not. I do plan on one day seeking a publisher for my novels, and when I do, they will be removed from my website. I do believe I have a good chance I getting Lies in the Blood published, and perhaps Crimson Moon at one of those strictly romance publishers. Arywan Series needs a good deal of work before I can even think on it.

Here is somethings I said in my email, sorry, I won't release anything she said, because it's not my place.

Her statement about me having low opinion of myself bothered me a bit. As I think I am actually a very decent author, with decent chances of getting published. That is if they ever took the time to actually READ my script, which I am sure most won't.

She also stated that she was getting published by a small printing press. (Which congratulations to her, if she reads this. It is an accomplishment.) However, in my humble opinion, I don't think going to a tiny publisher is much better then getting self-published. Other's may think differently, and can express their opinions in this thread. The reason I think it's not different, is because most small presses accept almost anything that comes their way. Sure, it's a respectable way to get started, even though you are signing away some of your rights to the novel, where self-publishing it's all yours.

So anyway with that being said, what does everyone think not about self-publishing as that's another debate, but about allowing work you want to someday publish be seen online for free? Do you think it seriously hurts your chances of being published or doesn't mean anything?

Hmmm...I guess I'll summarize what I think about this whole situation.

You put your stuff on your site as soon as you finish writing. It has barely been edited and has not been rewritten or anything! It would amaze you how much some of my books changed from the initial proof to the final version. I have completely changed the flow or the ending, and of course, editing can totally change how it reads. Not to mention that I prefer having the book in print, since you can't cuddle up in bed or your comfortable chair with a computer...even a laptop! The thing that amazes me about your work, Becca, is how good it is with just a cursory proofread. I can only imagine how good it will get after you have changed things, added things, moved things around, read and reread it, and edited it. Probably mind blowing.

On the matter of putting it online first and then trying to sell it later on? I'm mixed on that! I only give one of my books away for free, and that's my oldest one that was published in 1997. The rest are for sale as ebook or paperback, and I get a few sales every now and then...but then I put no money into advertising. Been there, done that, got tired of the wasted expense. LOL...I was once told that once you "publish" your work online, you've given up your chance to ever have a first publishing ever again. Not sure if that's true, since I never looked into it...but I can't imagine that means that you can't ever find a publisher to put it in print, especially after it has undergone a major rewrite. What's to stop you from changing the title and the main characters' names? And if someone read your book online for free and really liked it, they would want to read it again! I know when I read a really good book, I keep it in my library and read it again and again! I have a few books that I have read half a dozen times...and like I said, I prefer a paperback. I don't think I've ever read any book online from start to finish. True, I am doing that with CMS:BT, because that story has hooked me, but that will be the first. Usually, a short story is long enough for my online patience! But then, it feels like a bunch of short stories in the amount I get to read at a time. haha...Anyway, I hope I didn't ramble too much and made a valid point!

Jude

I won't be putting my rewritten novels on my website, I only put the first draft and then the rest is for my eyes only. I've had a couple readers complain to me about that, but I honestly think that if they ever get published, that I can say it was rewritten and alot has changed. Those that like the novel will want to purchase it and read it again.

Also, people email me almost everyday asking if I will ever get one work or another published. They want the novel is paperback, like Jude said because you can't curl up with a laptop. My honest opinion is, I don't think I have to be published to be someone. Besides that, I wouldn't have to tell the publishers that I gave it away for free anyway. Not that I would lie, but I really don't picture them surfing the web to see if I ever let other people read it.

There are many first time writers who put their work on the website, and then took it down when a publisher picked it up. I run into writer's websites all the time that say something like, "Sorry, Bob's Tale is no longer available online for free. It was picked up by Herman's Publishing and will be available for purchase in the fall of next year." So, I always assumed that it would be alright. Perhaps, it's because it was a small publisher and they weren't going to cry over it.

I firmly believe that if it's good enough, that the publishers won't care. And, like Jude, I do believe that self-publishing is a valid form of publishing. Like Jude said in another post on her board, there is a difference between vainity publishing and self-publishing. Though most poeple throw them together. I have many online author friends, who are self published and who receive good reviews, and have many faithful fans.

Jude is right about only being about to be published for a first time once, but there are many book that go into reprint every year and make large sales. Anyway, there is some more blah blah from me. Anyone else want to weigh in?

I just wanted to add one thing!

That is so true! LOL