Guest post
by Lorraine Devon Wilke
While out on my journalistic beat covering certain aspects of the Amazon/Hachette debate, I’ve had occasion to discuss the prevailing attitudes of some who continue to frame self-publishing as “the realm of the subpar,” as one snarky commenter put it.
It seems, despite impressive statistics, celebrity authors, economic boosts to the industry, and overwhelming acceptance by readers (who don’t give a hoot who publishes the books they like), self-published authors and their books remain marginalized in a variety of ways. Most larger newspapers and magazines will not review them, certain books sites (i.e., Oyster, ”Netflix for books!”) won’t carry self-published titles; book conventions have tucked self-published authors away into back rooms (reminding one of the card table at family dinners!). One journalist went so far as to say self-published books could “never” be on a par with those put out by publishers, and even other authors sniff about the “lesser” quality of self-published books.
And as much as we indies can raise a ruckus about the unfairness of all this, there’s just one problem: in some ways, they’re right. The freedom to self-publish has not always translated into an impeccability in how it’s done, and that has led to a book table, so to speak, flush with… hate to say it… “subpar” product.
Personally, and because I’m annoyingly anal about pretty much everything I do, I considered professional editing, formatting, and cover design as non-negotiable “costs of doing business”; wouldn’t think of hanging my shingle as a published writer without those expenditures. Additionally, I’d spent years (hopefully, successfully!) learning the craft by writing screenplays, stage plays, short stories, hundreds of non-fiction pieces, etc., so that by the time I leapt into the “art of the novel,” I at least felt up on story arc, dialogue pacing, and good narrative flow. One presumes all authors approach their profession similarly.
That is not necessarily so.
Several self-published authors with whom I corresponded made note that their books were the first “major writing” they’d done. One remarked that most self-published writers can’t afford editors and cover designers and so they “do the best they can,” their books going out “as is.” Another told me, “Readers are less picky because ebooks are so cheap.” Yet another reported that in the supportive community of self-published authors (it is a supportive bunch!), it’s hard to be candid when friends post “cover reveals” or sample chapters and they’re not up to snuff. We’ve seen evidence of that conundrum.
And that combined reality is why there remains a stigma about self-published books.
Literary agent, Rachelle Gardner, wrote in a recent piece, “You’re Only as Good as Your Worst Book”:
“Do yourself a favor and make sure everything about that book is the very best it can be. The writing. The editing. The layout. The cover design…. No matter if you’re a self, traditional, or hybrid published author—don’t cut corners. Don’t phone it in. You could undermine your brand. You could weaken your value as an author in the eyes of readers out there.”
I agree. It can also weaken the value of the “self-published” brand in general.
Traditionally published writers rely on professionals to assist in tightening prose, brainstorming titles, perfecting editing and formatting; creating engaging covers. We self-published writers? Not so much. We’re like the big kids Mom and Dad left at home with the baby; there’s a list of instructions on the refrigerator but we’re basically on our own. Which means we have no choice but to step up. To meet the challenge. To make sure the “baby” that is our book flourishes as well as the one down the street with the high-priced nanny.
And the only way to do that, the only way weary stigmas about self-publishing disappear, is if we make them. We do that by putting out books that can sit on the shelf (virtual or otherwise) next to any traditionally published book and hold their own. We do that by being unassailable professionals who understand the demands of the business of writing (if you’re publishing a book, it is, indeed, a business). We do that by holding ourselves to the highest possible standards and viewing our creativity, our product, even our marketing and promotional materials, through the same relentless filter traditional publishers use. We do that by being comparable. Period.
To the naysayer who claimed self-published writers could “never” produce a book on a par with Big 5 books, I say, “You just… shut up.” We can. Don’t do anything less. The future of the entire self-publishing world depends on all of us meeting that challenge. Put on your cape and get to it.
A true creative hyphenate, Lorraine Devon Wilke’s resume includes theater, film, screenwriting, photography, rock & roll, and columns at various newspapers, news sites, blogs (her own) and The Huffington Post. You can learn more about Lorraine at her Amazon Author page and her website.
Lorraine, I love this! Thanks for posting. It’s an excellent reminder that excuses won’t do–only the best will. And there’s no reason not to get it right. There’s no reason to put out a sub-par book and think no one will notice. To the nay-sayers, I say get out of the way and let us get on with doing what we’re doing: revolutionizing the publishing industry and putting out damn good books.
Thanks, Melissa! I so agree: getting it right should be a part of all our job descriptions as independent writers. The buck stops with us! Thanks for taking the time to comment and best to you with your book journey.
I totally agree. I see posts on FB stating that something similar to “I just finished writing the last chapter, and the book will be available in X days.” I spent six years writing and refining my novel, and in the end, I had an editor review it before it went live because I have purchased e-books that were so poorly written, so rife with typos and just bad writing, that I couldn’t make it past the first chapter or two.
I’ve gotten to where I’m very skeptical about an e-pubbed author for whom I don’t have a reference. I’ve found I can’t even trust the reviews for many of these books. It seems that many new authors reach out to their friends who in turn are “pressured” to provide 5-star reviews. Or worse, pay for reviews. Yes, my friends reviewed my books, but I asked them to give me an honest review. One of my closest friends gave me a 3-star rating because it’s not her genre [she loves romance novels], and she had a hard time reading it. I’ve learned that if the star ratings don’t form an inverted triangle, then I shy away. If the book has all 5-star ratings, then something feels really hinkey about it.
Sorry, you touched on a sore subject with me. I want to support indie authors, but I don’t want to waste my money/time when the author wasn’t willing to do same.
No apologies necessary, Sara; we are of like mind!
I spent just one year short of the time you took to consider your novel completed and, like you, cannot fathom the quality of work being hashed out like so much short-order cuisine! It’s not that “time taken” is necessarily the arbiter of what’s good (I’ve read books the author labored over that were cringe-worthy!), but conversely, knowing the fine-tuning, as you put it, that’s required to create deep, involving narrative, propulsive dialogue, well-paced story arc — and put all of that into a perfected formatted, edited, copy edited piece with a professional, industry quality cover — simply takes time, hard work, investment and the prioritization of that level of work.
The rush stuff out, to keep cranking out sequels, etc., seems to have taken precedence over true quality. Harper Lee, one of the greatest writers in history, wrote only one book — one transcendental book. THAT to me is a far more important goal than shoving subpar product onto your Amazon page in order to accrue more sales.
Remember that show “The Weakest Link”? I sometimes think the community of independent writers IS only as strong as its weakest links… and I would like to see that bar raised. Enabling amateurism and inexperience with review exchanges that encourage undeserved 4/5 star reviews, paying for the same; cheerleading in lieu of candid, constructive critique, keeping the bar at “good enough” instead of “the absolute best.” all serve to keep the weakest link lower than should be acceptable to any of us.
Like you, I’d like to see that change.
Love it, Lorraine. With all the knowledge and resources available, the excuses for putting out an unprofessional product (if your aim is to be seen as a professional) are dwindling.
Thanks, Laurie, I so agree! And where there are excellent editors out there like you, who do an incredible job and work with independent writers at rates that are affordable, there is truly NO excuse to put out a book with pages of typos and grammatical errors!
And I meant to say, “And WHEN there are excellent editors…” See, I need an editor even for comments! 🙂
Nice article. Brothers and Sisters are doing it for themselves and bollocks to the restrictive, middle class publishing hegemony, I say.
I’ve read so many bad traditionally published books, I spend more time traipsing to the charity shop to offload them than I do reading. That’s the irony. Dean Koontz is one of the worst writers I have EVER had the misfortune to read (on a beach, as a result of a bored swap with a fellow sunworshipper), and how he ever managed to be tradpubbed is beyond my rational understanding.
Ditto Dan Brown. Reading “Inferno” is like having your brains liquified and then feeling the emergent sputum drip like molasses from your earlobes down your neck.
Keep the faith! 😀
True, Wiz; I too have read some legacy published books that were not, in my opinion, of stellar quality.
But while that may be true, we indie writers cannot look to that as a reason to accept “less than” for ourselves. We’re already being viewed through a filter of skepticism so, in truth, we have to hold ourselves to an even higher bar of excellence if we want to overcome the stigmas.
Frankly, I’d hold myself to that “highest bar” no matter what group I was in. Shouldn’t we all?
Lorraine this is a thoughtful article and I agree with much of it, especially the need for self-pubbed authors to take ALL the necessary steps to ensure their work is not ‘sub-par’. I would never publish without following the steps you indicated.
However I have some difficulty with this statement. “The freedom to self-publish has not always translated into an impeccability in how it’s done, and that has led to a book table, so to speak, flush with… hate to say it… “subpar” product. It is true, of course. But the same problem exists with much current trad publishing. The practice of editing and promoting the new books they publish is not longer the norm. Publishers are increasingly putting the onus on the author to have these things done — at their own expense. The result is that many of the complaints about self-published books are appearing in trad published ones.
So, while all you say is true, it is now increasingly true trad for trad published books, as well. The playing field is not nearly as uneven as the press and publishers would have us believe. Self-published authors are taking more care and trad publishers far less.
I hear ya, Yvonne, and thank you for commenting!
I guess I think that no matter where the scales may fall on who’s being more or less “subpar” (and I’m sure there are lots of conflicting opinions on that one! :), the issue isn’t any less of a problem – or demand – in the independent world. I’m just suggesting we hold ourselves to the highest standards possible regardless of what anyone else is doing.
I’m with you all the way there.
🙂
A great article, and it definitely spells out much of what self-published authors need to work on. There’s a statement here I disagree with, however:
“It can also weaken the value of the ‘self-published’ brand in general.”
As the publishing industry continues to change, moving further away from the Big 5 Publishing Gatekeepers, the idea that self-published books, as a brand, can be damaged or weakened in any way because of bad examples is no longer valid. There are always going to be trad-pub book snobs, but they’ll find themselves more and more in the minority as thoughtful, talented, detail-oriented self-pubbers take a greater piece of the market share.
I get personally disgusted with bad grammar/bad covers/bad writing in self-published books, also. The great thing is that I can always try before I buy, and if I see that the author hasn’t taken care to put out the best work possible, I can easily decide to spend my money elsewhere.
Dave, thanks for the comment… and I wish I could agree that repeated examples of sloppy work in the self-published industry can’t/don’t do damage the brand, but my research — and my own observation — says otherwise. It’s not just the “traditionally published snobs” who are put off by it or see it as a stigma; many readers do, people in the industry outside of publishers do, even self-published writers who ARE doing the work to put out excellent books are put off (just read some of the other comments here!).
I think the issue of meeting the highest standards should be less about comparisons and more about our own “personal bests.” That barometer tends to lend clarity to the debate!
A superb rallying call Lorraine; an excellent piece. The challenge is there for all of us to accept and run with;
While there is a great deal of truth in what you say and I agree with most of it, I go along with Yvonne’s comment (above) that the playing field is nowhere as uneven as some would claim.
Thanks again for a brilliant piece!
Thank you, Marilyn! Spread that rallying call! 🙂
Lorraine, that is my greatest fear: That no matter how hard I’ve worked, how much I’ve safeguarded, how I’ve done the best I can…that I might still put out a “subpar product.” We can never be as good as we’d like to be, I suspect.
Thanks for the illuminating article!
Linda Lee: thanks for your comment. But I have to say, fear should not be the guiding force in how we experience our artistic expression… that’s just too dark a place from which to freely create. And I happen to believe we CAN be as good (or close to as good!) as we’d like to be if we honestly open ourselves to learn, to reach out for the contribution and perspective of professionals who can help us, if we listen to the wisest voices in the room (including our own), and keep our standards high, never settling for just “good enough.” Subpar product rarely results when you follow that formula, I’ve discovered! Best to you!
I never write in fear…I just self-publish in fear. LOL! And, of course, you’re right: Learning everything we can about our craft, finding the help we need to improve, writing a lot, and being persistent will eventually pay off!
I do get the distinction, Linda! 🙂 Best to you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Lorraine. Nice article. I believe you do the Indie publishing world proud. I would never rate the quality of your work any less than a traditionally published book. In fact, your book “After the Sucker Punch” is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. You have put out a high quality product and it shows. So refreshing after all of the inferior works that are out there.
I have read too many Indie books with typos, lack of editing and poor formatting. Just because these books cost less does not mean they should not have standards.
Sadly, it is too easy to self-publish and anyone can be a published author. If there are low standards it reflects poorly on all of us. My hope is for more indie authors to be more like you, though most of us don’t possess your talent. 😉
Brenda: THANK YOU for your kind comments…I’m delighted that someone on this thread has read my book (and I hope more will! :).
I know you have been a very involved reader — you probably read more in a month than I do in several! — and given that immersion, you know what you’re talking about; I take your opinion very seriously. Though, frankly, I wish you were arguing with me that I’m wrong about this, instead of verifying the stigmas at issue. I think if the community of indie writers starts viewing this with a different perspective, the bar will get higher and more and more will see the value of meeting it. I think that’s a worthy goal…
I did send several books out to be professionally edited and proofed. However, I found errors after all that. It appears I can do a better job when I sit down and do it. I took money I didn’t have to buy those services. So, I will continue to do what a can to improve my product including going back over things again and again and updating after I do so. But one more comment. I read a lot and I can tell you I have seen several professional author’s stuff with glaring errors right out of the publishing house. No one is immune.
Thanks for joining the conversation, Cherimem.
I agree: no one is immune. But as I said to someone else, we should ALL, no matter what camp we’re in or how we publish our work, hold to the highest standards. Our readers deserve that, the industry deserves that; literature deserves that.
As for sloppy editors… yes, I’m not surprised. I’ve met a few of those too. But I’ve also had wonderful editors who not only found typos and grammar problems, but offered insight on story arc, and confused exposition in ways that helped me vastly improve my book (Laurie Boris here in this thread is one of the best). But I agree that a good writer ALWAYS is the last one to sign-off on their work. It is, after all, their name on the book cover!
Good, thoughtful, article, Lorraine and may thanks for posting.
I must agree with many of the others who have mentioned the deteriorating quality of legacy published books. I’m seeing far more typos and grammar mistakes that should have been caught during the line edit process than I’m seeing in many of the indie books I read, and I read a lot. It’s disheartening to read or listen to the barbs and misinformation about how bad the indie product is, when in most cases, much of the traditionally published books are well below what I’d consider an acceptable standard.
This is not an excuse for indies to be less vigilant. Editors, proofreaders, professional cover designers, and converters are all mandatory in my opinion.
It is a matter of reality that people still cling to this myth that most indies put out sub-par products and most trad authors put out above-par. I’m sorry, but that just isn’t so, and the longer we perpetuate this myth, the longer it will hang on. The top tier trad authors get the best, while the mid-list authors get services that are, well, not as high in quality.
I’m finishing a trad pub book now. 80% finished with 10 mistakes. My husband is finishing another trad pub book. He’s about 70% finished – 12 mistakes so far. This is not atypical. The last five indie books I’ve read have had 6 or less.
Thanks, Shirleen, for your comments.
And I agree that there are problems to be found in all kinds of books published on all sorts of platforms, but that doesn’t change the fact that too many in the self-publishing industry ARE being less than vigilant.
But I don’t think the stigmas are a myth; I think they’re inaccurate and generalized, but they evolved from actual cases that proved the point. Which is why they’re so hard to change. People grab on to an initial (however misguided) impression, say, “all self-published books are by losers who couldn’t get a literary agent or a traditional publishing deal, and so most self-published books are crap” (something actually said to me by someone), and that becomes the perceived perspective.
So when indie authors put out books without editing, without professional covers, without the narrative skill required for an excellent book, they further perpetuate the stigma. I’m suggesting it’s within our power as a community to change that by upping our own standards and holding each other to a bar of excellence that’s indisputable. Once we do that…well, they’ll be singing a different tune!
This really struck a chord with me, Lorraine. Mainly because it says many of the same things I’ve thought and said myself in various situations. 🙂
I do have a few random comments.
Whenever this subject comes up someone (Yvonne in this instance) says that trad pubbed books have issues, too. I’ve seen too many trad pubbed authors talk about a decrease in their editorial support to not believe there is some truth to this. However, I think we’re talking an order of magnitude in difference. It is possible that there is editorial attention being given at a high level in trad pubbed books, but at least when you get into the nuts of bolts of grammar usage and proofreading at the detail level, any degradation hasn’t been enough that I’ve noticed a trend. Self pubbed books with issues at that level are easy to find. (Now trad pubbed books with big problems in formatting is another question. That’s way too common.)
I struggle with the notion of weakening the self-publishing brand. On the one hand, we (indie authors and their readers/supporters) say that no one cares who the publisher is, that the brand a reader cares about is Joe Author, not Hachette, Randy Penguin, etc. I think that’s normally correct (a few publishers, Harlequin for one, might be exceptions to the rule). However, I’ve heard too many readers who shy away from self-published books because they’ve been burned by a sub-par product one too many times to not see some validity in the contention that a bad self-published book can hurt all self-published books.
I’ve seen some people say they don’t think we should talk about these issues because it damages the perception of self-published books. I believe just the opposite, that talking about it educates those who need to be educated and improves the average. The support of others in the indie community has, I think, raised that average a lot over the last few years. Having said that, there will always be bad books (by whatever criteria we judge this) that get out there. Some will be trad published, but more (as a percentage) will be self-published. That doesn’t mean anyone should feel a stigma for having self-published although maybe they should for self-publishing poorly. 🙂
Last, a few of those author excuses and my response.
For those authors who say they can’t afford and editor, etc – there are ways to get a lot of things accomplished without paying as long as there is a skill the author in question has. Trade your skill with someone who has the skill you need.
For those who justify cutting corners based on low prices I have two responses. First, the biggest investment a reader makes in a book is not the cover price, but the time they devote to reading it. Second, readers who are knowledgeable about the current state of publishing realize that a self-publisher with a cover price of $2.99 on their ebook is making more per book sold than a traditionally published author will make on a book priced at 3 times that.
Regarding your comment about indie authors saying we shouldn’t point out these problems, I totally agree with the point you made. If we become a mutual admiration society, if we give 5-star reviews to inferior writing/editing [and I’m not talking about one of two typos, I’m talking about bad writing, and we all know it happens] then we are perpetuating the myth that all indie writing is inferior.
We only get better if we expose our problems and try to fix them.
Thanks, Big Al. I pretty much agree with everything you said! Stigmas are earned, and losing them comes from disproving them. The more indies step up their standards and refuse to cut corners, as you say, the more excellent work will go out. Over time, the critical mass of that excellent work with change those stigmas.
I truly believe it’s a deflective waste of time to get into what deficits can be found in traditionally published books. Whether or not that’s true, it doesn’t change what’s happening with self-published books. We can’t get better by pointing the finger at others; we only get better by doing our own work, investing the money and energy, and raising the bar to the point that ANY indie book can sit next to books by Pat Conroy, Annie Lamott, Richard Russo or Rebecca Wells and not be “less.” I know that’s my goal.
Well said, Lorraine. I think when the subject of whether or not to hire professionals before releasing your book comes up I’ll just refer authors to your article. Very well put, am sharing.
Thank you, Martin. You know I am one of your biggest fans and see you as an indie writer who’s not only met the challenge commercially, but certainly creatively. You make the community better by the level and standard of your work. I, for one, appreciate that! 🙂
Not true about Oyster not having S P / Indie books. Smashwords sends all our books to Oyster
Let me rephrase, Gary: they “do not work directly with authors.” If you are a self-pubbed author who is NOT on Smashbooks, you cannot get your book listed there.
Wow! Thanks for saying some of this stuff, Lorraine. Especially the part about hiring cover designers and editors. I just cringe every time a fellow indie author says they can’t afford or don’t need an editor. And their finished product shows it. It’s so hard to be honest as to why their books aren’t selling or getting word-of-mouth referrals. What does one say when that happens??
Good question, Karen!! Gulp!
But as a few commenters said earlier, we do no one a favor if we continue to enable and head-pat amateurish work. It serves no one. I agree that it’s REALLY hard to be candid when there’s something (constructively) critical to say, but group-think that ignores what should be non-negotiable “cost of doing business” steps like editing, professional cover design, etc., just keeps the standards low and contributes to the stigma. We’ve got to do better than that.
Whilst I agree completely with everything in this article, I can’t ignore the elephant in the room; for the moment, at least, financial success as an Indie depends more on luck, and aggressive marketing, than quality.
Once a huge chunk of the traditionally published mid-list jumps ship, bringing their established audiences with them, we may see a game changing shift towards quality. Until then, however, we have to continue focusing on quality because that’s who we are as writers.
Agree, Acflory, that focusing on quality is key. In fact, focusing on quality should be the priority whether or not financial success comes to pass. It’s one’s legacy as a writer: creating and a brilliant book delivered with the highest standards possible across the board. That we can control; the rest is a whole lotta other stuff for another very worthy conversation!
Ugh… “creating and publishing a brilliant book…” (this is why we need editors! 🙂
AC, I would propose that luck figures into success in every aspect of life. Certainly as an author, no matter how your books are published, that is true. But I look at things like my “career” in the dreaded day job and can see where both hard work, talent or skill, and luck all figured into those times that were the most successful. Someone (I’ll claim Mark Twain since he gets credited with lots of things he didn’t say) said something like “the harder I work, the luckier I get.” The things Lorraine is talking about here won’t guarantee success (whatever that means to you), nor will lack of it guarantee the lack of, but I know which I’d bet on as more likely to get lucky.
Right on, Big Al. You literally took the words right out of my mouth!
I love that Lorraine’s post has started such a worthwhile discussion:)
Yes! Our legacy and integrity are all we can control. 🙂
I’ve sent this to a whole host of newbies who are not convinced they need editors!
Thanks, P.D.R.; hopefully it’ll spark some rethinking on the topic!
A good thought provoking article, Lorraine; the plethora of responses is testament to that and I agree, by degree, with most of your points and most of those responses. We must keep on raising the bar until the vast majority of indies are clearing the same height, and higher, as the trads.
Thanks, TD; we’re of like mind: raising the bar is the overall message. As one commenter put it on the Facebook thread of this article, using the “I know you are but what am I?” argument just doesn’t serve us. The only thing that does is “clearing” that higher bar.
Hello Lorraine,
I enjoyed reading your post and the comments.
Each book I produce takes more time than the previous project. It’s not the story or the characters, but the attention to detail that you discuss. Even after all that work, a woman recently pointed out about ten minor typos, etc., that three proofers had missed. I have the book memorized and my eye glazes over these things. Working with an experienced editor is worth every penny. I suggest anyone who says they cannot afford this integral service eat Ramen noodles and save up for a pro. 😉
Lois, I had the same issue with typos. I had several friends proof the novel, and then an editor, and there were still a few missed. I blame it on the story being good enough that the mind reads right over the mistake in order to not cause a break in the flow. I suspect the same happened with your proof/editors. And I agree, I can’t proof my own work, not every easily because I know what it’s supposed to say, not necessarily what it does say.
Hi Sara,
Thanks for saying the story caused the eye to fly across the typos. 🙂
I forgot to mention formatting in my comments. I used a professional formatter on my last book, and liked his work so much that I had the first book reformatted. It looks so snazzy and is worth every penny.
Thanks, ladies, for your contribution to the conversation…. couldn’t agree more on all counts!
It’s one thing to be confident and believe in your own voice as an artist, it’s another to have the humility to know you need the help of other qualified pros to render your work worthy of publication. Both are necessary. I don’t know where or how it became acceptable to think otherwise, but that’s what we’re trying to turn around. Every time someone takes those necessary steps (and, yes, eats Ramen if they have to :), they’re contributing to the raising of the quality standards the indie community… all good!
Hi Lorraine,
I couldn’t possibly agree more with what you have to say in this post. Like it or not, publishing costs both time, effort and, yes, MONEY to produce a product that people will buy and enjoy. I want readers to enjoy their experience, not shake their heads at sloppy formatting and editing. Thanks for putting your article out there for us to read.
Thank you, GWPJ; I very much appreciate your comment! I think the worst thing we indies can do is put our heads in the sand or spend our time being indignant about what legacy publishers and writers are or aren’t doing. This is our time to change the conversation about what self-publishing is by being the best of what self-publishing is. I hope everyone involved is inspired to step up to that challenge.
Lorraine, thank you for sharing your experience and insight.
I agree that we all have to step up to the challenge. Creating our best work means working with professionals in their field. We can’t all be great writers, keen editors, and creative cover artists. Most authors need help. I’m terrified (yes, it’s just that scary) of putting a book out there without a professional edit. Yikes!
You’re welcome, Jacqueline, and thanks for taking the time to comment!
And I’ll up the ante and say EVERY author needs help… it’s just part of the program to use the necessary professionals to put it all together. Like you, I can’t imagine putting out a book without that objective and skilled perspective. Yikes is right! 🙂
I fully agree with putting your best foot forward. I have a paid copy editor and on occasion, use a cover artist when I can’t do the cover myself. I’ve learned how to format for ebook and print, so my out of pocket costs to create a book are probably less than most. If I am going to put up an unedited excerpt from a book I’m working on, I tell folks it’s rough copy. That way they’ll know if they find a boo boo that it will most likely be caught in the editing process and not to worry. I want my readers to know I take this job seriously.
Great article!
Thanks for your comment! YES… taking our jobs as professional writers seriously is essential and as a fellow writer, I appreciate your creative ways of doing so. Best to you!