Have you dreamed of writing a book? Digital age self-publishing can make that pipedream come true

Linda Drollinger
Posted 8/21/12

NARROWSBURG, NY — Once upon a time, books were written almost exclusively by a small group of brand-name professional writers, most of whom boasted impressive academic and publishing credentials. …

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Have you dreamed of writing a book? Digital age self-publishing can make that pipedream come true

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NARROWSBURG, NY — Once upon a time, books were written almost exclusively by a small group of brand-name professional writers, most of whom boasted impressive academic and publishing credentials. But the advent of the digital age has made it possible for a new breed of author, the so-called “independent” writer, to produce a book without the assistance of a traditional corporate publishing house. E-books and print-on-demand production methods have revolutionized what was once an elitist industry.

Maybe the most compelling argument for self-publishing is a basic understanding of the profit motive driving traditional publishing businesses. Traditional publishers gauge the value of a manuscript by how broad an audience it’s likely to attract. The bottom line is: how many people will be interested in reading that manuscript? Of course, despite sophisticated demographics and marketing studies and their own history of experience, traditional publishers’ best guesses are still just that—guesses. And sometimes they guess wrong. Traditional publishers have rejected many books that went on to become self-published long-running international best sellers (“What Color is Your Parachute?” by Richard Bolles, “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield, “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter, and “The Bridges of Madison County” by Robert James Waller), a Pulitzer Prize winner (“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole), and widely-acclaimed classics (“The Elements of Style” by William Strunk, Jr., “Ulysses” by James Joyce, “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair, and “Remembrance of Things Past” by Marcel Proust).

During a recent lecture at the Tusten-Cochecton branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library in Narrowsburg, local author, registered nurse, and self-publishing guru Myron Gittell (“Woodstock ‘69: Three Days of Peace, Music, and Medicine”) said, “Before you decide to self-publish, do plenty of research. Find out what services publishers offer, which of them you will need, and how much they will cost.” He went on to say that most self-publishers offer a variety of packages, each including a spectrum of services ranging from research, editing and graphics design to proofreading, promotion, marketing, and distribution. But, Gittell cautions, “It may be less costly and more convenient to hire local freelancers than to purchase the publisher’s services.”

Gittell emphasized that self-publishing has been a godsend for authors whose work focuses on parochial issues and, consequently, is not normally of interest to mass audiences, adding that, “Local historians are the people most likely to turn to self-publishing.” Local history writer Grace Johansen is a case in point: in 2006, she edited James W. Burbank’s “Tom Quick Trail: A Chronicle of the Delaware Valley” for self-publishing by the Tusten Historical Society. Johansen said, “Xlibris was the publishing company, but I did all of the manuscript organization, editing and proofreading myself, because I wanted to be sure it was done to the late author’s standards.”

Honest speaking requires a disclaimer here. Aspiring authors should not expect to find fame, fortune or glory by self-publishing, although some lucky few undoubtedly will. Most will be lucky to recoup their initial investment. But it is a surefire means of getting written work into the public eye. From there, it’s up to fate.

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