After All Of Those Rejections, Do You Still Publish The Story?

Since the rise of the e-publishing movement, and more specifically, the self-publishing movement, I have seen a disturbing trend from authors. After trying over and over again to get their stories published through traditional routes, they turn to self-publishing the story that so many others had passed on. I am not sure if this is the right move.

Now, I know exactly what many of these authors say is their "justification" for doing this. One thought is that many have convinced themselves that it is the industry's lack of forward thinking or willingness to take a risk in signing a new author with an innovative thought. Yes, since the housing bubble crashed and businesses had to take some tighter approaches toward who they sign, this is really not the reason. Publishers do take chances. Publishers are willing to sign new authors. BUT... the writing has to be good.

A second group of authors believe that the reason they are taking this approach is that the writing is good, but their writing is just in a "different niche." Again, while that might be the case, the more likely reason that these authors are not seeing, is that their writing is so different that it really doesn't have a fit in the entire market, whether that is the traditional market or the self-publishing route.

And then there is the final group that simply believes, "Well, at least I can claim it is published." Yes, that is true, but what good is that going to do for you?

What do all three of these have in common? The simple fact that, in many cases, these authors are putting work out there that is not their best work. Sure, they are justifying their reasons and maybe, in some cases, they are correct, but if the work is not the best, what message is being sent to the readers?

I actually heard one author say at a conference that even if they got negative publicity, at least they got their name out there. I am not sure if that thinking really works.

Look, I get you spent time on that story. I get that you put your blood, sweat and tears into that project. But in some cases, that is just going to be a story that will forever remain in that file cabinet next to your desk. Sometimes, it might be best to not put that project out there.