To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish: That is the Question

Loads of people dream of becoming celebrated authors, seeing their books prominently displayed in bookstores and airports across the globe. It’s the fantasy equivalent of moving to Hollywood and becoming the next Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansen, or Jennifer Lawrence; something that only happens for one person out of every hundred thousand hopefuls.

After writing my first book, I queried a slew of fancy New York City agents—only the best for me and my future literary stardom.

After receiving enough rejection letters to wallpaper my powder room (distastefully), I hooked someone. My agent submitted my romcom masterpiece to ten major publishers and one of them bit. Sadly, before my editor signed on the dotted line, she switched genres and moved onto something less mainstream like eastern religion or astrophysics—either way, it was as far away from chick-lit as you could get. After months of excitement, my dream was dashed. 

Despondent, I put my publishing pursuits on hold to try to get on with the business of starting a family. Four miscarriages and two babies later, I was ready to get back at it when my husband was diagnosed with stage-four tonsil cancer. Once we got him stabilized, I had a new drive to see my work in print. Life was short and I resolved to achieve my goal sooner rather than later. For me that meant self-publishing. 

I didn’t make much money on my first book. As a result, I once again longed to find a traditional publisher who would take over the copious non-writing related aspects of authordom. But in the meantime, I started to network with other writers. 

One such author reached out to me to gently suggest that my cover looked homemade and that if I wanted to be taken seriously, I should give my future audience a better image to first judge me by. We wound up forming something of a friendship and chatted on the phone a few different times.

This author, let’s call her Lizzie, told me that I needed to decide why I wanted to write and then make my decisions about traditional publishing accordingly. “What do you mean?” I wanted to know. “I want to write because I’m driven to tell stories.”

“But are you writing because you want to validate yourself by seeing your work in bookstores or because you want to make money?”

“Both,” I assured her. 

“That’s a tough one,” she’d told me. It turns out most traditionally published authors, without a history of already successful books, were lucky to get a five-thousand-dollar advance. It’s suggested that money be used to promote their book, and not spent on a fabulous Parisian vacation or new countertops. 

“Doesn’t the publisher pay to promote your book?” I was good and confused. My vision was for Random House (or some other big five publisher) to love my work, give me a six-figure advance and then immediately offer me another deal on a book that wasn’t even written yet. Apparently, that was not going to happen.

Lizzie said, “I’m in it for the contract. I don’t need the money, so it’s straight vanity for me.” She’d already self-published two books and spent thousands of dollars more than she’d made just to get them out into the world.

Vanity alone wasn’t an option for me. I needed a job, that would eventually pay, one that I could perform at home while raising my two young daughters. Turns out I was in it for the money. I told Lizzie as much and she wished me well. She eventually got a two-book deal with a major publisher and had her moment in the sun. While her books were featured in a couple of national magazines, and on local television shows, she still spent loads more than she ever made. 

What happened to me? I read, took classes, and wrote like a fiend. I made mistakes, I course-corrected, I nearly gave up, but I eventually hit my stride. I’ve published eleven romantic comedies, one thriller, one non-fiction humor memoir, two middle reader books, and a children’s book all in the last six years.

I’m comfortably making six-figures in a career that I love.  Two of my books are currently being considered by different studios; one for a feature film and the other for a television series. 

Is there a downside? Yes. The market is oversaturated and fickle and the learning curve is steep. Just when you think you know what recipe will lead to success; it changes. I have to churn out multiple books a year, so I don’t lose traction. It can be exhausting. 

Also, there’s the reality that self-published authors carry a stigma that they’re not as good as traditionally published authors. The common thought being, “anyone can publish a book.” I suppose that’s true, but not anyone can succeed at it? 

I have a friend who is a New York Times bestselling author and her agent won’t allow her to blurb my books for me. There are book bloggers who soundly refuse to consider reviewing or promoting self-published books. It’s often an us vs. them situation that can leave you questioning your abilities.

Lizzie asked if I’d ever consider a traditional contract now that I’ve figured out what I’m doing. The answer is heck yeah! That’s always been the dream. The difference is that I know a lot about promoting books now, I have a good-sized fan base, and I’ve created a decent online presence. But I’m not signing on the dotted line for any five thousand dollars. 

Am I sitting on my hands waiting for such an offer? Nope. I’ve got my eye on several indie authors who are easily clearing seven figures a year, and I’m going to spend my time figuring out how. Onward and upward!

If you’re trying to find a path for your manuscript, I think you should start by asking yourself the same question Lizzie asked me. What are you in it for? Once you have your answer, you’ll be in a much better space to know whether of not self-publishing is the route for you.  

Whatever you decide, I wish you the very best in your endeavors. Remember, you have to dream before you can ever succeed.

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Whitney Dineen is a rock star in her own head. While delusional about her singing abilities, there’s been a plethora of validation that she’s a fairly decent author (AMAZING!!!). After winning many writing awards and selling nearly a kabillion books (math may not be her forte, either), she’s decided to just let the voices in her head say whatever they want (sorry, Mom). She also won a fourth-place ribbon in a fifth-grade swim meet in backstroke. So, there’s that.

Whitney loves to play with her kids (a.k.a. dazzle them with her amazing flossing abilities), bake stuff, eat stuff, and write books for people who “get” her. She thinks french fries are the perfect food and Mrs. Roper is her spirit animal.

Find out more about her on her website https://whitneydineen.com/

THE PLAN, WHITNEY DINEEN

Bead shop owner Amelia Frothingham has been keeping a secret from everyone she knows.

She pretends to be the ultimate care-free bohemian chick, but the truth is, she’s the world’s biggest control freak. Much to the delight of her Southern family, Amelia’s life appears to be smooth sailing. That is, until bad boy rockstar Huck Wiley mysteriously blows into town like a spring tornado.

Like every other woman under eighty with a pulse, Amelia’s intrigued. So when Huck starts showing up in her shop with flirtation in mind, she finds herself getting sucked into the rock god vortex. But her previous attempts at long-distance love have always ended on a sour note, so Amelia has vowed never to repeat the experience.

What Amelia doesn’t know is that Huck has a secret of his own, and he has no intention of returning to Los Angeles before he’s good and ready.

Will Huck stay in town, scattering the beads Amelia has finally gotten sorted? Or will he head back to his glamorous life and take her last chance at spontaneity and love along with him?

Find out in this deliciously funny romcom about love and life in Creek Water, Missouri!

BUY THE BOOK HERE

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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips