Don't Throw In The Towel: E-pub/Self-Pub is Not The Easy Fix

I have found it interesting how many authors out there are forgetting things they have said in the past. You all know that time and time again, I have stressed here on this blog that writing takes time. This is not an over-night success activity. I am also not the only person out there that makes this comment. Other agents, editors and certainly writers have said the same thing. We hear stories of authors with double digit rejections crossing their desks before they make that first sale. We hear stories such as Steve Berry who had to wait until his 13th (I believe) book before being in the right place at the right time to make a sale. And we all argree this is normal.

And yet...

With the rise of all these digitial outlets for authors to move their books from their computers to supposedly the public, I am shocked and amazed at how many of this prior group, especially the writers and the agents, have seemed to throw this idea out and see this digital move as an easy fix. Now, when an author's first manuscript ever receives less than 10 rejections, suddenly people are diving on the digital market.

Oh sure, I am hearing all of these people "justify" their move.

• "This is a way to get my writing out there to people to build my readership."
• "But Authors X, Y, & Z did it."
• "It's not my fault my story is so unique and the publishing world isn't open."
• "This is the only way a new author can get out there."

Sorry to say it people, but maybe the real issue is to work on improving our writing craft. Maybe your first book really is a piece of garbage. Maybe you do need to learn a bit more about being a writer.

I am really disappointed in many of these people who seem to think that this is a viable option. Again, let me stress, I am in no way saying the e-publishing or self-publishing market doesn't have a place out there. I am also not saying that some stories really do have a limited market (a memoir about your family that you want to publish for your family, a local story that only has a market for those living in your small town, your collection of poety). The only thing I am saying is that I do believe many have forgotten that this all takes time and that first book may not be the right one.

The point is, just because the digitial market for self-publishing or e-publishing is out there does not mean you have to jump on that market just to supposedly make a sale. I am amazed at the number of people out there that seem to jump at the lure of the immediate apparent money offered for these "quick" sales, instead of examing their own writing to improve it.

Simply put - just because it is available does not mean it is the only solution. Maybe we examine that story and call it what it is. This is something that is not a strong piece of writing. This is something we can learn from so it is time to throw it out. Now, let's write something that is worthy of being published.

Scott