Publishers Weekly still doesn’t understand the definition of “self-publishing”
Posted By Sue Collier on January 19, 2010
Apparently, not even Publishers Weekly understands that POD ”self-publishing” is not self-publishing at all. Here is the article I responded to: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6712254.html?talk_back_header_id=6637648#talkback. (There is a lot of other excellent feedback there, including from self-publishing pioneer Dan Poynter, so be sure to read that as well.)
My comments:
I find it amazing that Publishers Weekly still doesn’t understand the difference between self-publishing and subsidy/vanity publishing.
When authors are “self” published, they start up a publishing company; they obtain an ISBN prefix; they handle and make decisions about editing, interior and cover design, and printing (often paying subcontractors to handle these items for them); and they are responsible for marketing and promotion of their title. Period. This is the *only* way authors can truly self-publish. It’s pretty simple.
Companies such as AuthorHouse are vanity publishers calling themselves “self-publishing” or “self-publishing POD” companies. They are trading on the good name of self-publishing to make their companies appear to be a legitimate option for authors.
You ought to be embarrassed, Publishers Weekly, for not doing your research and perpetuating this misinformation.
About The Author
Sue,
Congratulations on your new site! It looks great, and I’m going to nose around and have a look. I always liked the content on the old site, but it’s needed an upgrade for a while, so good for you. All the best success (although I miss the rolling blog roll!).
Joel
Thanks, Joel! I’ll be putting up quite a bit of the older content (there were lots of good articles, etc.), and adding new stuff too. Updating the old site has been a thorn in my side for a LONG time. Finally decided that WordPress was the way to go–and I’m very happy with it. Looking forward to making this even better!
Sue, Love the new site. After speaking with you yesterday I perused the site. I’l going to add it to my How to get Published class resources.
Thanks for posting this information on Publisher Weekly. I totally agree that small publishing companies or self publishers are not given the credit due. Many people have started out as a self publisher. In fact, I find that self publishers are extremely committed to their products and experts on the subject. A good writer or someone with a book or idea to share doesn’t have to have the “aproval” of one of the big houses to say they are writers, small business owners or experts in their field.
Investing in your idea, yourself and your future is the true signs of a passionate writer. These are the books I want to read! Can’t wait for your new edition of Self Publishing. We will be selling it on our site and in our bookstore, which use to be a self publishing company!
I use this book in my class, How to get published, and recommend it to everyone that is interested in getting their book published. It’s a must read before making any decisions.
Deb Landry
Bryson Taylor Publishing
http://www.brysontaylorpublishing.com
Thanks for stopping by, Deb! I appreciate all the support and the addition to your class Resources! I will be keeping everyone posted as to the availability of the new edition of The Guide. =)
Sue,
I certainly agree with the overall point of your article, but the first line needs some clarification. The term “POD” (print on demand or publish on demand) is a method of publishing that is apart from whether it’s employed by a self-publishing author or a publishing company. (I realize you know these things — I’m only posting this clarification because many authors or aspiring authors I encounter are utterly confused about this issue, and many may be reading this.)
I am a “self-published POD” author, but I own my ISBNs (the key distinction of a self-publisher, really) and have final say over all decisions in the process (designing my own covers, for example). I use POD (in some instances) because it is a great way to test-market, avoid inventory, rapidly update content, and achieve a number of other goals. With CreateSpace, for example, once your book is on Amazon.com, you can focus on the marketing and simply receive a direct deposit into your bank account once a month for your efforts.
As you point out later in the article, this is really an issue of vanity or subsidy publishing, not POD. In my view, POD, especially how it’s come along in recent years, is a godsend. Let’s not shoot the messenger!
~Andrew
Hi Andrew–You yourself write that “POD” is print on demand (or publish on demand)…my problem is that it is being used interchangeably with “self-publishing.” Companies like Author Solutions are not POD “self-publishers.” They are subsidy presses, but many inexperienced authors think they are self-publishing by going to these places. POD refers to the printing process, and I think it is misleading the way these terms are being used incorrectly–especially by Publishers Weekly, who most certainly knows better.
I agree–this is an issue of vanity/subsidy publishing being called “self-publishing.” I am not against print-on-demand at all. It can be a great option for independent publishers.
I’m very happy to hear that you are not one of the authors who got mislead into thinking you could be a self-publisher without your own ISBNs! Sounds like you have a good handle on the process. =)
I hope you’ll continue to stop by and read–and comment! Thanks so much for reading–and writing!
We’re definitely on the same page, Sue; I fully agree about many vanity and subsidy publishers heisting the “POD” and “self-publishing” terms. I just didn’t want any novice or aspiring authors to misunderstand that “POD” isn’t the bad part of the equation. As you might guess, I hear this confusion from authors in every talk I give.
Thanks about my own author experience. I’ve been in publishing (author, writer, consultant, speaker, and more) for over 20 years, so I had an advantage in understanding when this self-publishing shift occurred.
Great site, by the way. I’ve always been a fan of Tom and Marilyn. Plus, you and I have crossed paths somewhere along the way — perhaps CIPA or PMA, I’m not sure.
Andrew Chapman
http://www.AChapman.com
President, Publishers & Writers of San Diego
http://www.PublishersWriters.org
Gotcha! Totally agree–nothing wrong with “POD”…and it is true that so many novice authors are confused about the terminology. I hope the new Complete Guide to Self-Publishing (and this blog!) will help educate folks.
Thanks again for stopping by! Your name does sound familiar to me, so you are probably right about us crossing paths at some point! Hopefully we will again.
Hi Sue,
I’m getting in late on the conversation, but it’s alway nice to have a chance to communicate with you. Your response to PW is :”right on.” It’s very similar to the “discussions” I have with folks about the differences between a book producer and a book publisher. Many think they are the same. Oh well. Regards,
George
Hi George–Thanks for weighing in! Hopefully with posts and comments such as these we can educate folks about the differences between producer and publisher!