I know. It’s a bit late. But it was a really good session (as always, with Alex) and it is worth re-capping even if it is a month behind.
Anyway, Alex came up to discuss one of the topics that writers find themselves turning to sooner or later: Routes Into Publishing.
Because we all start with the art, the need to write rather than the need to see our name in print. I mean, of course we all have our private fantasies of writing a blockbuster, or starring in a film or somehow being the only Englishman in the crowd when the national football team are inexplicably short of one man and they ask you to put on the shirt, despite being old and knackered with a dodgy knee… (just me then?)
But let’s get back to reality.
Alex broke the options down into three:
- Self-publishing
- Small (independent) press
- Mainstream
There are pros and cons to them all and the right choice will, in many cases, come down to your own ambitions, how commercial your writing is and which is the right ‘fit’.
Alex had brought along some hand-outs that covered these choices – what do we want from writing? Validation? Connections? Fame? Fortune? Generally, no matter how awesome your writing is, if it’s a bit ‘niche’ or can’t be placed in an obvious commercial pigeonhole, your best bet may be a respected independent publisher. If you want to retain complete control and make slightly more money (if you’re lucky), then self-publishing (done properly, paying editors etc.) may be the right choice. If you’re determined to crack the major publishing houses you need to make sure your product is something they can sell, which means you also being something they can sell (talks, social media, tours and signings). And you’ll need an agent to help you – this is, after all, capitalism first and art second.
If you’re wondering about the main picture, Alex discovered that his daughter had drawn a portrait of him on one of his hand-outs. A wonderfully appropriate featured image for this post.
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