There’s no beginning disclaimer for this post. It’s a little different to the usual Recently Read posts I do, in that it wasn’t read so recently – I think it was December – and it’s a dual purpose post. Not only do I want to let you know about the book, but it’s also an opening to the ever nearer possibility that is self publishing for me and Shallow Waters.
Firstly, lets look at the book.
Self Printed – Catherine Ryan Howard.
***2nd Edition, September 2012***
The only self-publishing guide with a No Saying “Gatekeepers” rule, now fully revised and expanded
Do you think that no one has the right to stand between you and your published writer dreams? That the publishing industry is going down in flames and self-publishers are going to rise like a 99c phoenix from the ashes? That all literary agents are interested in doing is blogging sarcastically about the rhetorical question at the start of your query letter, that editors will just use your submitted manuscript for kindling and that you’ll be senile before you hear back from either of them? That once you’ve uploaded the book you finished yesterday afternoon to Amazon, it’ll be mere minutes before the money starts rolling in and you can quit your day job? Do you say things like “gatekeepers”, “The Big Six”, “E.L. James”, “legacy publishing” and “indie author” a lot? Are you self-publishing to “show them all”?
If you’ve answered yes to one or more of these questions then I do apologise, but this isn’t the book for you.
This book is for writers who consider self-publishing to be a good Plan B, or even a sideline to traditional publication. Who want to do it the cheapest and easiest way possible while still producing a quality product. Who understand that much like Starbucks outlets and Nespresso coffee machines, traditional and self-publishing can peacefully co-exist. Writers who know that they don’t have to sell a million copies of their book to start earning a living from their writing, but that they do have to work hard and treat it like a business. Who are blessed with common sense and live in the real world at least most of the time. Who find my jokes funny, at least occasionally.
If this sounds like you, then Self-Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self-Publishing may be just the “How To…” guide you were looking for.
It will tell you everything you need to know in order to publish a Print On Demand paperback and e-book, and (crucially) sell them, without sounding like anti-Big Publishing propaganda produced by the Ministry of Truth.
Be warned: you are now entering a No Saying “Gatekeepers” Zone…
 My Thoughts;
This book was recommended to me by good friend, Mel Sherratt, who has had great success with her self published novels. Now don’t get me wrong, she didn’t get that success by following any how-to book, she did it with having written great books. This book however, does what it says on the tin, or the blurb if you will.
Catherine’s book is set out in a friendly, but no nonsense kind of way. As you read on the blurb, self publishing isn’t about being on one side of the fence or the other, it’s about a decision and then helping you do that in the best way possible, as long as you’re willing to work at it.
I love how this book talked to me. The common sense and levelheadedness and I found it incredibly helpful and full of idea’s I can actually implement. I’m still in the agent query process, but self publishing my work is a completely viable option for me and when I make that final decision, I shall be going back to this book and reading it from cover to cover again.
I write, I’d love people to read my work, and one day I hope they will. I’m also prepared to put in the hard work to achieve that, in whatever capacity.Â
You can find Catherine blogging here.
Is there a non-fiction book you treasure and read time and again?
Joanna (Lazuli Portals Trilogy) says
I read this quite a while back, when we were in the throes of working out how to self-publish our first novel. The information she shared in some paragraphs saved me from insanity, I swear.
I found it really engaging, too – I have other books by Catherine just because I like how she talks to me! Definitely a keeper for me! Her blog’s one I subscribe to, as well. She’s good to share! 😉
Rebecca Bradley says
She definitely is and it’s a book I shall keep going back to for a while to come!
Peter Domican says
Looks a good book for those are interested. There’s so much rubbish on self publishing out there. The book I will keep coming back to is ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain which is about being an introvert in a world of shouty people! It’s a brilliant read.
Rebecca Bradley says
‘Quiet’ sounds as interesting book. It’s definitely a shouty world out there and it seems everyone thinks the louder they shout, the more they’ll get heard. I may check it out when I get a little more time.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – I’m glad you’ve found a useful guide to what it’s like to self-publish. A lot of people are doing that these days and I think that if one is going to self-publish, one needs to know what to expect and how it’ll be. It’s good to hear you’ve found a good resource.
Rebecca Bradley says
It is good resource Margot and she doesn’t sugar coat it either, which is what I like. I know if this is the route I take, then I have to put the work in. I’ll see where things take me though…
Vikki Thompson says
You are a bad bad lady Rebecca 😉
Another one i’ll be adding to my wish list! lol
xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Hehe! It’s great and awful reading other blogs isn’t it? 🙂 I always come back with at least a couple of extra books on my list of TBR’s at some point! I’ve now started downloading samples on kindle to remind me to get the book I’ve been recommended. I have a few samples!
ramblingsfromtheleft says
Rebecca … I’ve written to several industry “experts,” and in the past mentioned this issue on my own blog. What I believe many writers will do in the future is become “hybrids.” Like me and it sounds like you too, many writers will publish both traditionally and indie, combing the benefits of both depending on the work.
My advice for anyone new to this chaos is not to believe everything you read from either side of this equation. There are good things happening and if writers take control of their careers they can benefit from the best of both 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Absolutely. I am of the feeling now, that neither is a this or that choice and self publishing is a perfectly viable option for me. It’s great to hear that it is becoming more acceptable.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I’m not sure I’d ever go the self-published route, but it’s good to know there are resources out there if I do.
Rebecca Bradley says
There are Alex, not all of them good, but I have found one I’m happy with.
Joanne Phillips says
My favourite non-fiction book for writers is How Novels Work by John Mullan http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Novels-Work-John-Mullan/dp/0199281785/ – it’s a course book on my creative writing MA and absolutely brilliant for picking apart both contemporary and older novels and really getting to grips with how great writers write so well.
I haven’t read Catherine’s book, but Alison Baverstock’s The Naked Author is very good for self-publishers.
Rebecca Bradley says
I will look at both of those books, thank you Joanne. I have followed your self publishing posts with interest and will likely refer back to those as well, should it be the route I take.
Stacey Mitchell says
I love Catherine’s book, and I keep referring back to it over and over again. I actually have two copies, as I bought the ebook when it was on offer to see if it was any good — then when I found it was, I got the paperback as it’s much easier to flick through than an ebook.
Another amazing book to refer back to is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Editing-Fiction-Writers-Second-Yourself/dp/0060545690). I found it really helped me to understand my writing and where I might be going wrong!
Rebecca Bradley says
I agree that having the hard copy to flick through when using it for reference is quite good and I imagine I will get some use out of it if it is the route I go.
I will also check out the self editing book you have mentioned, it’s always good to keep learning the craft.