You’ve tried — for months, or for years — to convince a literary agent to persuade a traditional publisher to lend its imprint, and its credibility, to your book because you’re under the impression that book promotion opportunities exist for traditionally published books that aren’t available for self-published titles.
Wrong.
Here’s the good news. For the most part, the stigma that used to be associated with self-published books is gone. While traditionally published books have lost none of their cache, even with all of the changes in the published world, new opportunities have arisen for those whose books haven’t been picked up by traditional publishers. While the traditional publishing world was doing its thing (the same old, same old thing, for the most part), self-published books (and that includes self-published ebooks, by the way) have established their own strong track records and earned their own top-notch book promotion opportunities.
To reinforce my point, here’s an interesting link from — ironically enough — a venue that’s all about traditional publishing (but that, in recent years, has begun to take self-published authors seriously, too).
This Publishers Weekly article shares the results of a recent Writer’s Digest survey that compares writers’ (those who have worked with traditional publishers to publish books and have also self-published their own books) satisfaction with traditional traditional publishing compared to self-publishing. Self-publishing came out ahead, and I believe it’s because self-published authors gain so much (specifically, monetary rewards and control over every aspect of their work) and sacrifice so little by way of media recognition, credibility, and distribution/sales potential.
In short, it’s as easy to find book promotion opportunities for self-published books as it is to find book promotion opportunities for traditionally published books once you look beyond book reviews (some of which are still unavailable for self-published authors since some traditional book review outlets are still holding onto the last vestiges of discrimination against self-published books).The book promotion opportunities for all books, and ebooks, have grown in number over the years as new venues have emerged. All books, and ebooks, regardless of the way they are published, have access to these book promotion opportunities.
Now it’s just up to you, the author, to find those book promotion opportunities, and to see how your book can take advantage of them.
Christi Moné Marie says
June 10, 2013 at 12:08 pmHi Stacey,
Great post. It’s pretty much the stage I’m at. After deciding to go the self-publishing route with my first novel, I now find myself trying to come up with ways to promote (and garner a buzz before releasing) it myself. And it’s a little overwhelming. I think the hardest part of being self-published is you have to navigate through the process yourself. Most authors don’t have a big budget that they can hire a publicist or marketing team so it’s finding those book promotion opportunities that won’t run you broke.
Thanks for posting the Publishers Weekly article. I’m encouraged when I read articles like that. I think views are changing but it’s still difficult to get yourself to stand out from the ever increasing crowd.
Times are certainly changing. It’ll be interesting to see how things evolve in the future!
Take care,
Christi.
James Catanich says
August 17, 2013 at 10:11 pmHi Stacey
I’m a great story teller but not a professional writer. I have just finished my first book and will use the web site <a href="http://www.pc499c.com" to promote it. Outside of going the self publishing direction; what, or who do you recommend as my next move.
Thank you,
Jim Catanich
Phil Bolsta says
September 7, 2013 at 7:54 amHi, Stacey! I updated and expanded my post on book marketing and promotion (which includes a plug for you). I hope your readers find these tips and resources helpful!
http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/promote-your-book/
Kell Brigan says
September 10, 2013 at 12:50 pmThe reason book stores refuse to stock self “published” books is because readers don’t want to read crap. If you don’t want to be “stigmatized,” come up with a way to weed out the 99.99% of selfie stuff that is complete garbage. Readers are not willing to read your book just because you happened to shove it in our face (aka. did some “marketing” bullshit) or because we happen to know your cousin’s podiatrist. Professional books sell specifically because there’s a far, far lower risk of getting stuck with crap, period. We readers refuse to plow through the selfie slush pile. Stop whining about the fact that readers refuse to do your dirty work for you. There is, by definition, no “marketing” scheme that will make crap acceptable to readers. Stop trying to force us to waste time with garbage. If you want to be taken seriously, figure out a way — UNPAID reviewers, seals of approval or awards that actually mean something and aren’t just attempts to fake looking like read writers — for readers to find only professionally edited, competent, literate stuff. (Hint: you’ll all still have to take the risk that you won’t make the cut. Don’t blaim readers if your stuff is crap.)