Self-Supported Publishing - Boon or Scam?

When I started writing stories, I felt some people would find solace in my words. The purpose wasn't to earn money through selling books, but yes, money would be welcome when it came. The idea was to provide readers with something they could connect with.

As it is, the process of writing involves immense churning within, and exhaustive editing and finishing after you have finally written what you want to. Any creator will tell you it is almost like birthing a child. Self-doubt assails you, you get nervous and unsure about your work, you aren't sure the denouement is looking apt, or the characters are relatable. 

Then comes the commercial aspect of it all - as a new writer, you have to keep an eye on the reader's liking, avoid esoteric words and concepts, and make your content readable and catchy.

Finally, what starts is the toughest part. Yes. Finding a publisher for your work. 

Common Publishing Models

For the uninitiated, there are basically two types of publishing models - traditional and self-sponsored. Traditional publishing is every author's dream, and anyone who is sure of having written good stuff, tries for this. Who wouldn't want a top tier international publisher like Harper Collins or Penguin, or even a national publisher like Rupa or Jaico to publish their work? With a good publisher's professional and editorial competence, combined with their network and marketing muscle, your stories are at least assured of proper presentation and a modicum of promotion from their end.  

However, if only wishes were horses. You keep writing and mailing, waiting for their response (the standard time is 3 months), then when there is not a word, you assume it wasn't considered worthy of publishing by them. Some publishers have the courtesy to write back - even if its a no, but most are too high and mighty to offer any communication at all.

Now, your work is languishing on your laptop, and if your content was topical (related to COVID, for eg.), you are fearing it will soon lose relevance. So, in desperation you try vanity publishing.

And you have stepped into a minefield of deceit and skullduggery.

Vanity Publishing or Self-supported Publishing

Remember, these new publishers are there to get their bread and butter from your insecurities. You are not saleable, or a celebrity, so your book won't sell, they tell you. So, you have to sponsor your own publishing. And also pay them for their overheads, which of course, no one mentions.

Now start the publishing "packages". Starting from 8-10k, these can go up to couple of lakhs, depending on how much reach you want. 

Most of these fly-by-night operators are there in the business to earn a quick buck. They have some local printing press lined up, a couple of freelancers for editing, cover design and page formatting, and they sell you a hefty package promising the moon. Online only  or kindle versions are cheaper. If you want paperback editions, along with bookstore distribution, prepare to break the bank.

There are some who will steal your work without crediting you too.
Anthology publishers are notorious for this kind of thing. You will find your story credited to someone else. If you have been alert not giving away copyright, you ensure this doesn't happen, though.

You go for solo book to ensure your name is at least credited to your work. Dip into your savings, pay upfront a hefty amount.

You are relieved your book will finally see the light of the day. Eagerly you wait for the first draft. Being a newbie, you don't have much idea about size or quality of paper, formatting, or packaging. You trust the publisher to do a good enough job, considering how much you have had to shell out.

The first, second and third drafts are sent over mail, so again you don't get an idea of what your book will actually look or feel like. Once it comes, you are shocked. This isn't what you asked for. The publisher has done a shoddy job, cutting corners and keeping her margin. 

Let-down Alert

Then comes the ruder shock. Having published the minimum number of copies you had paid for, and listing your book on Amazon, the publisher will wash her hands off. No marketing (you didn't pay for it, you will be reminded). That is your headache. At the most, a couple of social media ads on popular sites. No concerted effort, no focused promotion.

You paid through your nose, got an unsatisfactory product, and now you have to yourself market your book. No complaints allowed.

Further horrors are lined up. There's no data on Amazon book sales given to you, forget store distribution and sales data. No representation in any literary forum or book fair. Zero post-publishing support. Even communication is cut off. Absolutely minimum amount shelled out (if you are lucky) as royalty on sales. Most get away with paying you nothing.

A whole new industry of "bookfluencers", book promoters, paid reviewers, marketers now come into picture, swooping on you like a pack of vultures. Pay again to get your book promoted and reviewed.

If after all this, your book is read by a couple of genuine readers, consider your writing efforts successful.

Sad, but true, by this time you have forgotten what it feels like to tell a story.

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