As of next week, guest slots will move to Mondays so that I can take part in a monthly blog hop that is hosted on a Wednesday. If you want to guest post on the blog, please feel free to drop me a message.
Today it is my pleasure to hand over the blog to Yasmin Selena Butt.
‘Don’t self-publish, that’s as good as admitting you’re too lazy to do the hard work’
By Yasmin Selena Butt
And that’s a quote from a best-selling novelist’s interview I read via a link on Twitter. I’m not even going to dignify the writer by naming her. It’s just disappointing reading bad advice and gross generalisations, from a respected author, who first entered publishing when we all bought our books from bookshops – and ‘Amazon’ was a word associated with a rainforest in South America.
I am self-publishing my debut novel, Gunshot Glitter, at the end of the week and as a writer I have never worked harder in my life. Self-publishing is NOT an easy option at all. But it is one I am grateful exists because it allows writers to have creative control of their work. And as an author that is extremely valuable to me. It is something that I feel, largely, no longer exists in orthodox publishing. And I’ve not pulled that belief out of thin air. I’ve witnessed evidence of it from people in the industry. In fact, that evidence has sent me running into the arms of self-publishing. This was an active choice on my part.
I would like to clarify right now, that I am not anti-orthodox publishing. If the right publishing deal was offered to me, I’d be happy to consider it. I would love to enjoy the perks of proper print distribution, Rights management and be eligible to enter the Costa book awards and get my novels sent off to Richard and Judy’s bookclub so they can read them in bed. That would be aces. But I am not going to spend endless years pursuing it, when I could be out there actually getting published, now, using the same sales portals by best-selling writers. There’s nothing to stop me pursuing the ‘orthodox’ avenue in the future. And I have pursued that route, but more on that later.
The simple fact is, is that I would like you and everyone out there to have the chance to read Gunshot Glitter now, rather than in a year to eighteen months’ time, which could be the timescale I’d looking at, if I got a book deal tomorrow. And even then, there is no guarantee that my book would be published and see light of day, even if I was a paid an advance. It is the publisher’s right to change their mind. As long as they have paid you for your work, they are in the clear.
The world of publishing I dreamed of may no longer exist. Maybe it never did? I’ve always seen publishing as being a business first and foremost, but one that involves a balanced relationship between the writer and publisher, helped along by an agent to oil the wheels. In that world, I saw the writer as having cover art control, final say in naming their novel, final say on the content of their novel – with the guarantee that their book would be published and well supported with a marketing campaign.
As a writer, I cannot imagine anything more heart-breaking than your hard work not materialising in print or it receiving lacklustre promotion. I’m just not a fan of the feeling of powerlessness. At least with self-publishing, I’ll know I really tried. Once my book is out there, at least it’s actually out there. It might be ignored, it might be adored, but it has a fighting chance. It got to see light of day.
I’ve always liked to weave an original, slightly unorthodox story. Something with an edge that pierces the soul and makes you think. With Gunshot Glitter I think I have done that. It’s a modern tale and if I were to tell you the premise in a nutshell, I would call it ‘the story of an incinerated boy who never quite goes away.’
But it is so much more, it’s a debate about monsters and victims, a love story, a tale of chickens coming home to roost, a vision of a family in pain and history repeating itself. It’s sexy, tender, and emotional and it made my proof-reader, Jill Blair, cry twice. It’s a story that turns the crime genre on its head.
A few years ago, before I’d written ‘The End’, my behemoth did the rounds with a few agents and a few publishers. One indie publisher told me it was the kind of book which could make people miss their tube stop. An agent at Curtis Brown sat on it for six months before reluctantly declining. An absolutely lovely publisher director from the Big Six read it on her holiday gave me wonderful feedback, but worried that the fact it did not sit easily in one genre would put the marketplace off. She suggested I consider rewriting it to just fit in the one. These assessments were commercial, risk-based decisions, I respected that. Me? I just wanted to write the best novel I could, but I didn’t want to sacrifice originality and the essence of my narrative to do that. So I ducked out and thought – it’s time to take charge of this and make it happen.
I completely appreciate that the publishing marketplace is a tough one. I really do. But to be honest, the more I talked to established writers the less compelled I felt to want a slice of the orthodox publishing pie. It actually frightened me that I felt that way, as it had been my dream for years, get a book deal, get published, make a living as a writer, but last year I had to ask myself, but at what price?
Via social media, I know two lovely writers, both best-sellers, between them they’ve sold millions, one has had two novels filmed for cinematic release. He hated the cover of one of his books. It shocked me he didn’t have the final say on it. I saw the cover, it sucked and it was uninspiring. I am also aware that some writers haven’t a clue about cover art and are happy to delegate the task to a designer. That’s fine. I just believe ultimately, either way, we deserve the choice, the final say. These are our books! I am not a book designer, but I worked with an artist to create the best cover I could envisage to represent my vision. It was a collaboration. That’s all I want in publishing, real collaboration.
Self-publishing has been a massive, time-consuming learning curve for me. I’ve had to learn about eBook formatting, video-editing, cover design requirement, US Tax laws, copyright law, marketing, social networking, distribution, eBook vendors, suppliers, procuring ISBNs, proofreading and the fine art of blogging. And yes, I am nervous. I’ve almost ducked out of this a dozen times.
You cannot tell me that any writer who undertakes all the above is a lazy writer. I’d argue the opposite and say there goes a writer who is prepared to work sixteen hour days to see their story authentically told – and probably needs their laptop confiscated and a period of enforced rest! All I am asking of an audience is that you do not generalise and you judge my novel purely on merit. Do not assume a self-published writer is one who ‘couldn’t make it’. You will get lazy writers out there who churn out dross, but you will also get ones who take their craft seriously.
Gunshot Glitter is my book told my way, it is my debut, it is the best book I was able to write in the circumstances, you might love it or hate it, that’s okay, but at least when I see it on sale come Friday (she says, touching wood) I will know, as Frank Sinatra once sang, that I did it my way…
‘Gunshot Glitter’ is available on Amazon
For more about Gunshot Glitter check out Yasmin’s blog
Follow Yasmin Selena Butt on Twitter
yasminselena says
I just want to start the ball rolling by saying THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME x
Rebecca Bradley says
It was an absolute pleasure Yasmin. Looking at the comments, blog hits, and blog visit stats, the post has gone down a storm. Thank you for writing it for the blog. It has been a pleasure having you!
yasminselena says
Blimey!
That is wonderful!! I had no idea.
I wish Mr Ostrove who taught me English could see that lol. He told me I should have been a lawyer as I was so opinionated in a debate x
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – Thank you for hosting Yasmin.
Yasmin – Thanks so much for your thoughts about self-publishing and traditional publishing. There are so many options out there for authors, and the more experiences writers share, the better informed other writers are about what those options are.
yasminselena says
Hi Margot,
Completely agree with you, it’s all about having an informed choice. Networking and talking to writers is brilliant for obtaining that. I am so grateful to social media for bringing down the barriers and getting everyone out of their ivory towers, so we can all see things as they are and decide what is right for ourselves,
Yasmin x
Rebecca Bradley says
Yasmin was a pleasure to have. She really does work so hard, she wrote this up for me at fairly short notice. I think it’s a great post and as someone who is still looking at her options, it made interesting reading.
Jane Isaac says
Hi Yasmin.
A very honest, thought provoking post for both aspiring & experienced authors. As a traditionally published writer with a small house I was able to choose the design of my cover, title etc. However, I do appreciate this isn’t always the case.
Your post importantly reminds us all that we should consider all the options available before releasing our work into the world. You’ve obviously weighed your options & chosen what will work best for you and your book. And I wish you all the best with your release. Many of my friends are self published & it certainly doesn’t appear an easy route, requiring lots of hard work.
Thanks for sharing.
yasminselena says
Hi Jane,
Ah, you have the dream!! That’s brilliant : ) It’s good to know it is still possible. I’ve heard small publishers do work on a more personal level with their writers as opposed to the biggies. I wonder if there’s a rating system out there where writers can post their honest experiences of their publishers without fear of recrimination. That would be dead handy wouldn’t it? Thank you also for the luck, I really do appreciate that, x x
Rebecca Bradley says
I also have friends in both camps. I don’t see them as opposing camps anymore though. And I do think there is a shifting in this as well. There are more and more self published writers doing really well, that opinions are changing. Yes some people do see it as the easy option and don’t put the work in that Yasmin obviously has, but those people won’t get the sales, or the continued readership. If it’s a career in writing you want, then yes, you have to put the work in, whatever process you got to those readers through.
Jaimie says
Thank you for such a great post, Yasmin! I am on the self-publishing journey too, and genuinely can’t believe anyone thinks this is the lazy option! I decided to self-publish about two months ago, and although my book isn’t quite ready yet, in those two months I have learnt more and worked harder than ever before!
Good luck with Gunshot Glitter, Yasmin – it looks brilliant, and I look forward to getting my hands on a copy on Friday!
yasminselena says
Hi Jaimie,
It’s a huge decision isn’t it? But the beautiful thing is, is that you are not on your own. The internet is filled with a growing number of experienced, helpful, bloggers, writers, industry services professionals out there sharing knowledge. Thank you for the luck. I really hope you like Gunshot Glitter, do let me know what you think of it when you’ve read it or pen a review, I would love that x x
Rebecca Bradley says
It really does look hard work! You have to do everything yourself! How can that not be hard work. I wish you lots of luck with your journey as well Jaimie.
Jaimie says
Ah, thank you, Rebecca!
Elle Turner says
Thank you for hosting this post, Rebecca.
Yasmin, I found this a really interesting post. I have a lot of respect for you knowing what is right for you and then going for it. All the very best with GG. x
yasminselena says
Dear Elle,
Thank you, going it alone, it’s scary, but I tell you, it’s really satisfying to take charge and make something happen. Ultimately I just felt I had nothing to lose. Thanks for the luck with Gunshot Glitter : ) xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks for the comment Elle. Yasmin was a pleasure to host. It has been really obvious how hard she works and how dedicated she is.
A great post Yasmin!
yasminselena says
Thank you, I’ve just been catching up on your replies as I’m linking to your post for my post going up shortly. Really good to read them all : ) Today has been really interesting in seeing which writers have taken my self-published launch endeavour to their heart to champion, and which have just ignored it so far, despite how supportive I’ve been of them! It’s pretty egalitarian in my head, I don’t do separation x x
joylene says
Yasmin, bravo for not mentioning her name. Who wants to remember it, really. And bravo for being fearless and self-publishing. I self-published my first novel, which changed my life. My 2nd was picked up by the prestigious small house Theytus, the oldest aboriginal publishing house in Canada. Best of luck with all your endeavours.
yasminselena says
Hi Joylene
Thanks for the comment and well done you for cracking out two reads : ) So good to read a positive experience tale all round. Thanks for the luck x
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you for reading and for taking the time out to comment Joylene. I think Yasmin is completely fearless, though I’m not sure if she would say that herself or not!
yasminselena says
Fearless or foolhardy, it’s debatable : ) Silly little things intimidate me that peeps take in their stride, never ask me to use a hot water dispenser, scare the crap out of me. Self-publish debut novel, sure! xx
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