cszego ([info]cszego) wrote in [info]bakkaphoenix,
@ 2007-08-09 17:03:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
AN OPEN LETTER
Dear Writer who, because the publishing industry is so tough to break into decides to publish her novel on her own, or believes his interests are best served by self-publication, or is truly, truly convinced her/his work is too original/daring/polka-dotted for 'regular publishers',

You're wrong.

Sincerely,
Bakka-Phoenix Books


PS: We're not dissing your writing. It's the distribution that matters.

(Post a new comment)


[info]cristalia
2007-08-09 09:27 pm UTC (link)
...oh dear. *g* Is this a Story (tm)?

(Reply to this)


[info]sandwichboy
2007-08-09 10:31 pm UTC (link)
...Okay, I've gotta ask. *pokes the bear*

(Reply to this)


[info]delta_november
2007-08-09 10:34 pm UTC (link)
Tell us a story, auntie-Chris!

(Reply to this)


[info]twiegand
2007-08-09 11:18 pm UTC (link)
Yes, yes please do.

(Reply to this)


[info]jimhines
2007-08-10 12:22 am UTC (link)
I'm going to be pointing some folks to this entry, I think...

(Reply to this)


[info]epi_lj
2007-08-10 12:27 am UTC (link)
Hm. What about those of us who just write goofy things for fun and don't pretend they're publishable and give them away online in that spirit?

(Reply to this)


[info]syngen262
2007-08-10 01:31 am UTC (link)
?!?!?!?!
This about a couple of the books you and Ben pointed out to me last day?

(Reply to this)


[info]brashley46
2007-08-10 01:52 am UTC (link)
The Lion smells a story too ... but not a particularly happy one.

Please tell me it doesn't involve PublishAmurrica.

(Reply to this)

For the record...
[info]avatarprimeb
2007-08-10 02:18 am UTC (link)
If you just want to get your story out without going through the hassles of jumping through industry hoops, there is FictionPress.Com.
Granted, it doesn't have the cachet of actual publication, and you won't make any money off of it, but at least you have your work being looked at by people who aren't your mother.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: For the record...
[info]drakkenfyre
2007-08-11 11:02 am UTC (link)
But who will see it besides your mother and everyone on your Christmas present list?

(Reply to this) (Parent)
OT: what time is EB reading/signing planned?
[info]mmarques
2007-08-10 04:35 am UTC (link)
I read that Elizabeth Bear will be doing a reading/signing at Bakka on August 18. Do you know what time that event will happen? I've booked off the day on my calendar, as I want to get both new books and get them signed.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: OT: what time is EB reading/signing planned?
[info]cszego
2007-08-10 02:48 pm UTC (link)
The signing will get started at 3pm. Which likely means closer to 3:15, but you get the idea: we put the food out at 3. And it will run until... whenever.

Bear is great: you'll really enjoy meeting her.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]monkeyman
2007-08-10 11:24 am UTC (link)
*snicker* Okay, you've got to tell the rest of this story, without giving names of course.

I've done zines, of course, but I'm hoping I never wind up going this route with all my work.

(Reply to this)


[info]sksperry
2007-08-10 12:36 pm UTC (link)
Thanks.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]cszego
2007-08-10 04:42 pm UTC (link)
Dude, you KNOW I'm not talking to you. Downloadable writing is a whole 'nother story.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]sksperry
2007-08-10 10:37 pm UTC (link)
True, but trust me, some of the things you said apply. *g*

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]cszego
2007-08-10 03:01 pm UTC (link)
No, honestly this isn't a story. It's real advice. Yeah, there may be a lot of not-so-great reading out there in self-published land, but I know you've all looked up from a page of a 'traditionally' published book and thought, "This sucks! How did it get published?" Recently, and somewhat to my surprise, I've read a few self-published titles that were actually quite good.

But...

I've also seen writers spend huge amounts of money on SP projects, almost none of which come to fruition. We've heard the heartbreaking stories from those who got taken by PublishAmerica, and the like. We've watched as a writer's dream turned to ash right before his eyes.

Because, to paraphrase the Princess Bride, if you haven't got your distribution, you haven't got anything.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]drakkenfyre
2007-08-11 11:06 am UTC (link)
Absolutely. It's so sad, the number of people who send us queries that say, "I'm a real, published author(TM)! I have a book out with Publish America and my second will be out with Lulu any day now. Publish my third book, because I'm a bankable name." Yeah.

These people are trying to take shortcuts. Yes the market is hard, but you'll still get farther within traditional publishing than you will without.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…