Advantages & Disadvantages of Self-Publishing

Happy Monday!
I'm thrilled to have author Heather Blanton with me today with a special guest post.
also, Please don't forget to check out her book below: HEARTS IN DEFIANCE

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Publishing,

(In My Humble Opinion) by Heather Blanton

Way back in February of 2012, I put my book, A Lady in Defiance, on Amazon to use as a fundraiser for an American Cancer Society event. I cleared this move with my lit agent first, as he was actively shopping the manuscript. We all thought that with nothing but word of mouth, I would struggle to meet my $200 goal.

By the end of 2012, A Lady had sold nearly 8000 copies! At first, I stood frozen like a deer in the headlights as the book climbed the charts. When a friend said to me, though, “Hey, you should save your money, quit your job, and write the sequel,” I knew immediately that was my path.

Since I was five years-old, I wanted nothing more than to be traditionally published. I thank God every day for the re-route. In the past few years, I have released two novels, two novellas, four audio books, and been included in two bestselling collections with other bestselling authors.

Naturally, I’ve weighed the pros and cons of indy vs. traditional publishing. Indy is working for me and here’s the way I see advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

1.      My deadlines are mine.

2.      I write what I want. I’m all about writing the story that’s haunting me.

3.      There is no pressure to impress the editor or agents, only my readers.

4.      The cover looks exactly like I want it to.

5.      Obviously, I make more money per book than traditional authors.

6.      There is no constant pressure to pitch a story to agents and editors

7.      I forge my own alliances, working with other authors that I want to work with.

8.      Success is all on me.

9.      I have the freedom to try new marketing tactics.

10.  I create and build the team I work with, from editors, to designers, to beta readers, etc.

11.  Self-publishing does not have the stigma it once had, therefore I am able to market my books in places that, early on, were closed to the Indies. For example, blogs that once featured only traditionally published authors.

12.  I don’t feel the need to enter contests. Being indy allows me to focus on my writing as a ministry, and I try not to “compete” with my fellow authors. I want this to be about God.

Disadvantages:

1.      Failure is a very real possibility and I can’t blame anyone else.

2.      I create and build the team I work with, from editors, to designers, to beta readers, etc. I’d better choose wisely.

3.      Marketing is hit and miss and, in the beginning, based on no experience.

4.      You foot the bill for everything.

5.      Being indy doesn’t do much for your ego, when compared to saying, “I’m published by X Publishing.”

6.      Standing out is difficult. There is a lot of competition today. A book is uploaded to Amazon every 4 minutes. (I think nearly all of them are Western Romance.)

7.      Networking with other authors is harder.

8.      I personally feel the pressure to deliver a top-quality read, and obsess over edits and typos.

Of course, some of these plusses and minuses are subjective. Depends on your work style, your personality, your level of passion, etc. I’m very motivated, self-directed, and I’d rather write than eat pizza (that’s saying something). But ask yourself, what have you got to lose by going indy? If the price is too high, then pursue a traditional publisher with every ounce of your being. It’ll pay off. Passion always does.

Hearts in Defiance

Charles McIntyre sat down at his desk in his saloon and stared at his Bible.

He almost laughed out loud but in the silence, the sound would have been deafening. He knew plenty of people who would laugh. A former pimp, saloon owner, and gunman reading the Bible.

       Do you really think you’re worthy to come before Him?
       The subtle rebuke pricked his soul. But he was determined and reached for the book. Naomi had said several times during his convalescence that all the answers to his questions would be found there. Rolling mental dice, since he didn’t know exactly how to start, he opened the book and read the first words his eyes fell upon:
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe;
let her breasts satisfy thee at all times.
      McIntyre’s eyebrows shot up. That wasn’t what he was expecting. Intrigued, he read on.
And be thou ravished always with her love.
And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
      He sat back and pondered the Scripture, chastised by it. He had spent a shameful number of nights embracing the bosoms of strangers, and it had never led to anything like what he felt for Naomi. Perhaps this was what God was trying to tell him. There would never be anything as passionate and pure in a man’s life as loving and honoring the one woman whom God chooses for him.

Available at Amazon 

You can contact Heather several different ways. She always responds and is happy to answer questions:  FACEBOOK   TWITTER   INSTAGRAM 

Thanks so much, Heather!
Your perspective is really interesting!

Jennifer
XOXO