I visit a lot of blogs about publishing, writing and related topics. There’s a huge interest in self-publishing, and it seems that many developments in the publishing world are helping to stimulate that interest. New technologies, new devices, new formats are making it easier and easier for authors to get their work out into the world by making an end run around the gates that the gatekeepers are so fervently guarding.
Balancing the interest and opportunities is the drumbeat of warnings, prejudice and downright threats that seek to discourage people from diving into the independent publishing pool. “You’ll ruin your career.” “My friend spent $10,000 and all he has is a garage full of books.” “We’ll be buried in an avalanche of crappy books.”
It seems pointless sometimes to engage with these attitudes, since there often seems to be a fixed idea behind them: self-publishing is for losers, people who couldn’t get published any other way. And nothing you can say will change this view. It’s my opinion that this attitude arises from some need for personal validation, but hey, that’s just me.
This Is For The Winners
Many people “win” at self-publishing. That’s because there are lots of reasons why authors decide to publish their own books. Some self-published books aren’t even meant for sale, and will never change hands for money. Some are published for reasons that have nothing to do with monetary reward, career advancement, or ego gratification.
People are funny. Given the chance, tens of thousands of ordinary people have decided to publish their own books over the last few years, and more are certainly on the way. I applaud every one of these authors for taking their destiny into their own hands, for turning a deaf ear to the people who said “You can’t do it,” or “You’ll look a fool.” They accomplished something. They expressed themselves in the world—these are not small things.
So I’ve put together this list of ways that you can “win” at self-publishing. In this context, “winning” can be a moment of tremendous personal satisfaction. It can be accolades from your peers. It can be the joy of accomplishment. If you’re reading this, you’re probably a writer. What would “winning” be for you? Here’s my list:
26 Ways to Win at Self-Publishing
- You finally get the book finished, printed and in your hand: you win
- At last you have a chance to fully explain the ideas you’ve been thinking and talking about for years: you win
- You get an interview in the local paper as a “published author”: you win
- You send a copy of your book to your ex mother-in-law: you win
- You get interviewed by a local radio show and people actually call in to ask questions: you win
- You’re invited to write an article on your specialty in a trade magazine, and they actually publish it, referring to you as the author of…: you win
- You create a course based on your book and sell it to the local adult education center: you win
- You speak at the Lions or Elks or other fraternal club on the subject of your book: you win
- The local bookstore lets you have a book launch party for your book, and everyone shows up: you win
- You wander into an indie bookstore in another town, and find your book on their shelf: you win
- You gift wrap a copy and hand it to your mother, watching her unwrap it: you win
- You send an autographed copy to your 8th grade English teacher: you win
- You take a table at a street fair and sell your book, encountering people who just want to talk about your subject: you win
- You overhear coworkers talking, and one mentions that you’ve published a book: you win
- Every one of the people you care about tell you how much they love your book: you win
- You give a talk to a local writer’s group about self-publishing and find yourself answering many questions: you win
- Your dad pulls you aside at the next family gathering and tells you how proud he is that you dedicated the book to him: you win
- Your alumni news writes you up with a picture of your book cover and some nice blurbs: you win
- You send an advance copy to someone you’ve never met, but who you respect, and they send you a glowing endorsement to use: you win
- Readers keep asking you when the next book in the series will be out, and you know they mean it: you win
- You realize you’ve sold enough books to pay your printing bill, that all the rest are profit: you win
- You receive a request from someone you don’t know for permission to quote from your book: you win
- You open your mail and find a check from your distributor that you didn’t expect: you win
- A friend at a party asks if you’re still looking for an agent, and for a moment you don’t understand the question: you win
- Your local library buys two copies of your book: you win
- You start to think about other books you’ve always wanted to write and can now publish: you win
The secret is this: when you publish your own book, you get to decide what winning looks like, how success feels. You’ve taken back control of your writing destiny. You know winning comes in many ways, in many small moments, and you can finally relax and savor them.
Takeaway: When you self-publish, you get to define success, to set goals for your own publication. In a way, you’ve already won.
Image: Flickr.com / bingbing
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Thanks. So encouraging.
You’re welcome, thanks for the comment.
That’s a nice and motivating post. I’ll try to go for the win with my next book. Most importantly, the process of editing and marketing cannot be rushed.
Very true, Robby G, especially the marketing. Many authors publish first, then try to figure out the marketing. It works better if you plan the marketing first. Thanks for visiting.
27. You can find your books on AMAZON.com. You win.
28. You find ways to pay NOTHING at all to be published starting out with profit from the very first POD or other publishing royalty check. You win.
29. Someone asks you to write their similar story. You win.
30. People including strangers sign up to read your blog because some excerpts from your books are there. You win.
Cynthia, awesome, great contribution (and yeah, how come I didn’t think of those?). Thanks so much.
Love this Joel. As someone who is on the brink of self-publishing his first book (yours truly) this is great, great advice. Thank you, as always, for putting out great stuff here at TBD my friend.
Whoa, Matt, didn’t know you were going to be an author, congratulations. This is a big year for you! Thanks for your comment, and don’t be a stranger.
-Someone sends you an email telling you how much your book has positively affected them——You Win
-Your book inspires someone to “start” writing their book.
——You Win
Thank you for the push of encouragement Joel
Nice, Vincent, thanks for adding to the list two more great ways to “win” at self-publishing.
Vincent, those two are the big big wins. Thanks for adding them.
That was a lovely post to read especially from someone like yourself who has a lot of experience in this area. I’ve defined a win as creating something memorable out of my experience with my children, family heirloom style. If other people like them, and buy them, that is just an additional win. If I happen to become a multi millionaire, I will put a huge ad in newspapers for all the blokes who were mean to me when I was growing up to see and that will be a sweet win indeed!!!!
Thanks, Gwynneth, and yes, that would be sweet indeed.
Forget the one about the printing bill, that gives me a stomach ache. But a lot of the other things have happened to me. People have said that they are amazed at what I’ve done, that I’m a hidden genius, and other things that make my head swell dangerously. I’ve heard from people I haven’t seen in 40 years who have bought my books. Several people have told me they keep a supply of them on hand for gifts. My epigrams are appearing on many quotation sites. I would say that my very modest expectations have been far surpassed.
Mike, you’re a good example of someone who has “won” in a big way. The gratification you get from these events is palpable and I’m sure that as your other books get out there, it’s just going to be more of the same. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Getting invited to speak at a book club – you win.
Good one, thanks Christopher!
Joel, thanks for the great list! I’m sure if any author adds just one thing, one little thing which made him happy or fulfilled – this list will be endless.
My little win for today: a guy googled my book and loved it so much he immediately wrote a 5-star review.
Piotr, Yes, exactly, that’s the genius of it, and it is powerful. Thanks for adding your experience to the mix.
Joel, I absolutely LOVED this post! Thanks for putting self-publishing in a positive light. I found myself nodding as I read over your list and the other readers’ comments–so many were true for me.
I’d add another: one of my self-published Kindle novels was chosen by an online book club on the Amazon discussion boards. After I read the thread I said to my husband (rather incredulously), “They were discussing the story like it was a real book!,” and he said, “It IS a real book.” Win!
Karen, thanks so much. Self-publishing is a personal, robust, risk-taking and very American occupation. The negative publicity about it is frequently ill-informed or plainly absurd. I love the great reinforcement you got from the discussion boards, and why not? Thanks for adding to the discussion.
By the way, I think we’re up to 36!
Joel, I tell my readers the same thing, self-publishing is taking back control (power) over our own work. Thankx for the stimulating article.
Thanks, Aggie. I think it’s about time, too. Look at the way authors have responded with tens of thousands of self-published books. I appreciate your visit.
~ When someone tells you that their two nieces put on a play at church based on your book: You win!
~ When someone tells you their daughter has decided to “try kissing” after reading one of your books. LOL: you win!
~ When you get to have complete control of your book cover and don’t have to go through what Justine Larbalestier did: you win!
~ Your family buy your books to show their support (even though they don’t read them): you win!
~ Having the OPTION to choose to self-publish: you win!
I write YA. My first two books are self-published and I’m planning on podcasting the 6-books series I’m currently working on (Written the 1st two, currently writing Book 3). I’ve had #14 and #20 (of a sort) happen to me. Not sure what number we’re on, but I’m really diggin’ that last one I mentioned.
Celise, I love those, thanks! That makes 41 by my count. And that’s the great thing that you series writers have going for you, an audience eagerly awaiting the next book. Nice website you have too, Celise. Thanks for visiting.
This post is beautiful, a great contribution to the self-/indie-publishing conversation — especially since it isn’t, you know, *that* conversation about self-publishing, the nasty one that distracts people from all these great possibilities.
Speaking of beautiful, I’m loving the new site design! Congratulations.
Thanks Hamish, that’s really kind. I think you can tell how much I enjoy it!
Yes, I’m starting to get used to the “look” now, it took a while. Like suddenly changing the way you dress or something. Thanks for visiting.
I agree. My novel Rightfully Mine was originally published by Thomas Nelson to rave reviews in the press. I made almost nothing on the book. Last June (09) I self-pubbed it on Lulu and Kindle.
I worked hard all year at promotion and on April 29 Rightfully Mine not only made the top #100 on Amazon (best seller status) in three categories for both for print and electronic version on, it made #2 in two categories, and #8 in another. I took a screen shot to prove it!!!! chuckling.
Self-publishing works if you work it. I just discovered your site today and subscribed RSS. There is quite a discussion about self-publishing at one of my linked in groups that has reverted to name calling on several occasions. It’s hard to understand those emotions, but as you pointed it, you must just leave those people to their opinions. Facts do nothing to change their minds.
I like your sensible attitude toward it. You have a solid perception IMHO~
keep up the good work
Aggie, thanks so much, sorry your comment got chewed up by the spam filter for a couple of days.
I would have taken those screen shots too! That’s a fantastic result of a lot of dedicated work.
Sometimes on LinkedIn you can have good discussions, but then there’s the other thing that happens. That’s just non-productive and there are so many positive things we can be doing instead.
I appreciate your visit, thanks for being part of the conversation.
Great post! Just wanted to add:
~ a google search reveals that your book is on some random stranger’s “must read” list. You win!
~ amazon & bn.com show that “people have also bought” your book along with current popular titles. You win!
~Your hairdresser tells all his clients about your book. You win!
~ Someone at your day job keeps asking you when your next book is coming out… You win!
~ People ask if there is going to be a sequel. You win!
KL, awesome! Those are so good, the kind of thing that just makes it all seem worth it. Thanks for your contribution!
Looks like we’re about 46 Ways, thanks to you terrific readers and authors.
The famous author who told you not to publish that book of poetry because your name is not Maya Angelou buys your book…You win!
Your father, who never read one word you’ve written told you to stick to something more realistic like accounting, sends you a 4am email via your website (that you never shared with him) saying, “Wow, you are a great writer. I had no idea.” Yep, you win.
When you decide to self-publish because you refused to hear the word, NO… You win!
I found this article and you tonight, when I needed both the most! A big ole, Thank you!!
Nakia, I’m so glad you found this list, there’s a powerful amount of good in it, and that’s why it’s here. I loved your addition about your father calling you out of the blue, that’s priceless. Thanks for stopping by.
* When some of your family laughs at the prospects of you writing a book and only your dad’s girlfriend encourages you to “go for it. You finish it and they like it: you win.
* Your dad it not interested in your three-ringed binder book, but getting a near final proof copy and he wants to read it now: you win.
* You have your book out at the local coffee shop and the discussion comes around to the content of your book and you show it to them. They look at it. Then you tell them YOU have written it, you’re the author and they come back, “No way?!” or “You did this?!” with a look of surprise on their face: you win.
* A friend introduces you as an author to his friends and you can’t get over that you are: you win.
And the #1 reason you finished your book:
* You announce to a new Meetup.com group that you have just published your book and everyone gives you a long round of applause and you can’t stop smiling: you win!
Fantastic, thanks Kevin!
* Your wife refuses to read your book that lots of others have raved about because she doesn’t want to know what you wrote about her: you’re not sure if you win.
* Your book enables you to finally tell off the bullies and bad teachers who made your life miserable back in junior high school: you win.
* Your book enables you to finally tell off some evil and crooked bosses you’ve worked for: you win.
* Your book has a section about an old girlfriend. You send her a copy of the book but she doesn’t remember you: you lose.
* Your book has a section about another old girlfriend who never let you get beyond kissing. You send her a copy. She sends a picture. She’s hot. She says she’s divorced and lonely. You’re happily married, but flattered: you win.
* Your wife is feeling sorry for her brother who has been recovering from surgery. He has been spending the summer watching baseball and the Home Shopping Newtork and is “bored to death.” You autograph a copy of your book which you know will cheer him up. Six weeks later you find out that he still has not read the book, but you can’t give it to someone else or sell it because of the personalized autograph: YOU LOSE.
“Stories I’d Tell My Children (but maybe not until they’re adults),” http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981661750
Pretty funny, Michael, I liked the one in which you get the photo of the hot old girlfriend (that doesn’t sound right, does it?) but wondered about the wife’s reaction? Thanks for keeping the ball rolling.
* You get to the point where you are selling on average one book per day. You win!
* Other people seek your advice on self-publishing. you win!
* A volunteer at your local library asks you if you would have a reading or other author event at the library. You win!
* Your friend introduces your book to her book club. You win!
K Crumley, awesome additions, thanks!
Finally! Someone who actually gets it! Thanks so much Joel for the tremendous encouragement. I think self-publishing has been given a bad rap for a very long time and success stories like The Shack shows that self-published books (and their authors) are a force to be reckoned with in the industry. I can tick off almost all of those “you win” points in your blog and add a couple more:
*A teenager says that your book is the only book they’ve ever read cover to cover and “when are you publishing the next book?” You win!
*An english teacher in California has ordered a class set of your book and wants to do a novel study on it. You win!
*For one spectacular day your novel is on a best seller’s list on Amazon. You win!
Blessings,
Lynn
Lynn, thanks so much for your comment. And I love your additions to the list! Thanks for stopping by.
Number 12 rang a strong clear bell…though I haven’t sent my 8th grade teacher a copy (that would be a win!). I e-mailed her a few years ago (before I’d self-published) and thanked her for her encouragement to keep writing.
One of my favorite Win’s as a self-published author is being able to send my stories out into the world exactly as they want to be sent out. There’s no argument that I have to put something in or take something out. I don’t have to shoe-horn my brain children into a sub-genre (where they don’t belong) win!
Knowing I’ve earned as much if not more than if I’d gone the traditional route…win!
There are people waiting for me to finish my next book…I think they’ll be getting angry if I don’t hurry…win!
Cari, that’s beautiful. Thanks for adding to the list, and may every book sell better than the one before.
This is so awesome! I mean a really nice change from all the ranting and raving I see about how hard it is and how little chance we have at succeeding. No one stops to explain what they mean by “success,” although I know they mean “become rich and famous” as if this is the only reason to even bother publishing a book (oops! Now, I am ranting and raving a bit
Thank you for being one of the few that I have found who has blogged about (26) other successes of self-published authors.
Hi Sheila, thanks. There are lots of reasons people self-publish. I guess what I’m saying is, why not let the authors decide what success is?
Check out Amanda Hocking, she’s sold about 1,000,000 books self publishing. Check out her blog and see what she did.
http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/
Kevin
P.S. She just signed a publishing contract.
You find the blog post that meant so much to you one year ago, when your confidence was rocky and it still brings tears to your eyes as you realize that you have done it again on your own! Yes, Joel & everybody … I’m still winning!!
Wow, the list just goes on and on, doesn’t it? I am self-publishing this year after deciding that life is too short to wait for the foot-dragging publishers (worse yet, to wait and wait, only to hear no) and so every single WIN here resonates for me. What exciting times for writers, to empower themselves. This post is so great, I have to figure out how to print it off and hang it up by my desk. Thank you!
I picked up the phone and rang the General Manager of hotel chain that was restoring a crumbling stately home. I thought visitors might like to see before and after pictures. So far have sold nearly 6 thousand copies. Definitely a win situation
What a great list of ‘wins’
I can relate to nearly all of them since self publishing my book.
One thing I would add though is that self publishing can and should (in my opinion) include an ebook verison. The sales of an ebook version can outweigh the paperback in volume and also income. I get a far higher cut of the price for every ebook sold that I do on each paperback.
Thanks for this article, and all of the other information you provide hear on the blog about self-publishing. I am working on a “how-to” book for beginning writers…how to get started, where to find work, marketing, etc. and have it set up on Kickstarter to get funding to get it done. I’ll be visiting this blog often:)
Sure, Denise, you’ll find a lot of resources here in the archives. Nice to have you as a reader and good luck with your project.
Hello Joel – That is the most heartening list and very inspirational. Read your other advice about cover design, fonts, etc. in preparation for working with Friesen Press to publish my debut novel this summer. Thanks for all the excellent advice and tips! I’m in comm/marketing and realizing what a major specialty the publishing end has become. I know how little I know… your site is an excellent resource.
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