I am very keen to get into writing, and have come up with several outline plots for short stories, novels and even trilogies. However, one hurdle, which I expect is not uncommon for most new authors, is that I am put off by the difficulties of publication.
Everything I have ever read about publication points to the fact that it can take years, if at all, to get your work published. Often quoted is that the Harry Potter books were rejected by many publishing houses before a small firm took a chance!
Recently I have been introduced to the possibility of self-publication, via Kindle or similar devices. This seems to take out the difficulty of finding someone willing to take on your work. But, is this a good idea? Should this be last resort, or is this the future of publishing?
I really am new to all this, so any advice would be greatly received.
Answer
I'm a huge fan of self-publication and small-press publication, and I think the stigma attached to both is fading. (It's worth noting that my only experience being published is non-fiction with a big publisher, but a girl's gotta start somewhere, and I do a lot with self-publishers in my job as head of a web development shop focused on small business.)
Self-publishing is viable now in a way it never was before, because:
Distribution channels for literature are more centralized than ever. While you used to have relationships with thousands of book stores and small chains across the country to get any notice, now once you are in one or more of the big listings you will be on Amazon.com, Borders, and Barnes and Noble's web sites before long.
You used to have to shell out big $$$ to do large print runs. Now, electronic publishing and one-off printing let you limit your up-front costs to whatever it takes to write, edit, lay out, create cover art for, and advertise your book.
Advertising used to mean big $$$ and relationships to put together print ads, TV commercials, and radio spots. Now, a professional-looking web site, a good social media strategy, and giving away a copy or two on Goodreads will get your foot in the door.
In short, the gap between "self publishing" and traditional publishing is closing.
Some tips you should know:
Invest in a professional website, whether just for you as an author, or putting your work out under a small press name. You can start with something as simple as a blog and expand from there, but people need to know where to go to find you and your latest work.
In addition to selling via the big eBook outlets, offer sale of DRM-free (but watermarked, if you like) ebooks in multiple formats on your web site and/or through outlets specializing in DRM-free ebooks. There are a growing number of ebook consumers who are tired of DRM, and their desired rate of consumption, at least in the fiction market, is far higher than the supply serving them.
Learn how to leverage social media: Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Identi.ca, your own blog's RSS feed, etc. to promote your work.
Use a print-on-demand service (I like Lulu.com) to offer print copies -- it doesn't cost you anything and not everyone reads ebooks.
Don't be afraid to pound the pavement. If you are doing tech writing, speak at a conference. If you are writing YA fiction, offer to spring for popcorn and do a reading at a local school or youth center. If you are writing any fiction, talk to local bookstores about doing a reading and/or book signing (most love promoting local authors when they believe in the work).
Give away a copy or three to people (Goodreads is a good channel for this) to get those first good reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, etc.
Spend time on great layout and typesetting. You can do it yourself, and there are plenty of free, open-source software and fonts to help you. If your book is hard to read, it doesn't matter how good a read it is, it won't get popular.
Once your books hit Amazon, etc. make sure to go back and click the "I am the publisher" option to get your book and author info in shape.
Hope that helps
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