tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post663607960784414123..comments2023-09-13T16:56:56.949+03:00Comments on Mike Wells Official Website: Should You Go the Traditional Route or Self-Publish?Mike Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14201237076057603217noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-6946117716056880412017-06-17T18:28:33.273+03:002017-06-17T18:28:33.273+03:00If you self-publish, which I do, you must know you...If you self-publish, which I do, you must know your team: editor (s)(friend, perhaps) for conceptual and copy, designer, and it helps to have a promotional strategy. Self-publishing doesn't mean doing everything yourself just like a solo entrepreneur may still want to use a bookkeeper, marketing person, etc.Goddess Crystal's Pethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17623366803046810567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-39904995534045588492016-02-07T04:53:07.010+02:002016-02-07T04:53:07.010+02:00Your post was very helpful. Your post was very helpful. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409339749563588738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-62352921181363776382014-05-24T06:27:52.587+03:002014-05-24T06:27:52.587+03:00I read your post and found it fairly balanced, how...I read your post and found it fairly balanced, however you did not mention the financial differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing. The self-published do get to hold the reins and control the process, but they pay the publishing costs involved to that process and the costs of any and all promotion of the book. From what my research has shown these costs can be quite high depending on the choices made by the author. <br /><br />Traditional publishing does not allow full control, but contracts can be negotiated that allow an author to make decisions relating to the publishing of his work. Traditional publishing pays the author an advance against estimated royalties. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00956933774436596831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-84680258628717488532014-04-08T18:23:56.848+03:002014-04-08T18:23:56.848+03:00I don't know, Greg, good question. I have no ...I don't know, Greg, good question. I have no experience with the medium and small publishers, but I don't think they are anything new, have always been around, at least since the early 90's when I got my first agent. I personally don't know any success stories from people who used this route but there very well may be some.Mike Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201237076057603217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-28558186122437403842014-04-08T14:21:59.545+03:002014-04-08T14:21:59.545+03:00I see that this is an older post and wondering if ...I see that this is an older post and wondering if things have changed a bit. I have a number of author friends and to hear them talk on the subject it seems that smaller publishing companies fall in between the Traditional and Self pub avenues, an alley that joins the two. Is that correct? As it seems somewhat easier to get picked up by the smaller companies, profit margins are higher for the author, support for the author creativity seems to be present, and you dont have to hold the services of an agent to get seen/heard. I am asking as I am leaning more towards these companies as a compromise between self publishing and trying the traditional method Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07750909901688050054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-31325562642997244392013-08-13T01:51:50.191+03:002013-08-13T01:51:50.191+03:00I have self published six novels to date. I soon r...I have self published six novels to date. I soon realised that finding a traditional publisher would not be easy. Anyway I like the fact that I have full control over what I do, and when I do it, and I get 100% of my royaltiesJohn Holthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11659732827882518859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-33923232671555318042013-07-02T09:13:04.153+03:002013-07-02T09:13:04.153+03:00Great post. As a self published author, I found a ...Great post. As a self published author, I found a lot of very useful information here. <br /><br />Thank you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-77564286288095934002013-05-01T15:00:21.068+03:002013-05-01T15:00:21.068+03:00Great post! Sounds like a lot of others got confir...Great post! Sounds like a lot of others got confirmation with their decision. ;-)) Hope you'll checkout my blog and follow xo Melissa<br /><br />http://www.notyourordinarypsychicmom.com <br />http://www.facbook.com/melissaproductionsMelishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04240943836574350440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-22368106496853299302013-04-13T02:49:58.252+03:002013-04-13T02:49:58.252+03:00Thanks for the post, Mike. It's been a verific...Thanks for the post, Mike. It's been a verification for me as to which route I should choose. Being a PN writer in a saturated field, I was fortunate to receive an offer from one publisher and some great advice from another (I only submitted to seven publishers). While both loved my book, one wanted too many changes, while the other was ebook only. (I liked the option of POD). Anyway, the decision was easy after that - go indie! <br />My book comes out in May.Tima Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12452821656662304913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-87122305263980687272013-02-09T05:37:02.077+02:002013-02-09T05:37:02.077+02:00Part of me wants to run the gauntlet of a traditio...Part of me wants to run the gauntlet of a traditional publishing house to say that I did it (whether is would be for me or not). That experience, as daunting as it would be not to mention heartbreaking at times I suppose, would be invaluable on my path of writing experiences. <br /><br />But the part of me that doesn't play well in the sandbox of life thinks self publishing, also daunting but less heartbreaking I suppose (although I'm sure there are stories out there) is the way to proceed when the time comes.<br /><br />I consider the changing face of publishing.<br /><br />So many traditional houses have slush piles that could probably surround the earth a few times, I would have to think that to get to the top of that pile one would have to have blind luck. <br /><br />I never like to say no to anything, in my mind if I don't try I will wonder 'what if'... so I try.<br /><br />This was a wonderful informative article. Thank you for sharing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08860528975416861271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-77289480557863726332013-01-21T17:59:28.699+02:002013-01-21T17:59:28.699+02:00Great post! I self-published in October and for al...Great post! I self-published in October and for all the reasons you listed here. I do not get along well in any kind of corporate situation - the bureaucracy makes me crazier than two hens fighting over a rooster. (If you've never seen that, it's quite fascinating.. but I digress). It's a challenge to self-publish and I love it. There are times when it can be lonely but then great people like you come along offering insight and sharing their experiences which give hope and inspiration. Thanks Mike!Charity Kountzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05741477159107151566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-69271305388578314532013-01-08T11:55:34.895+02:002013-01-08T11:55:34.895+02:00Mike, I think I am going to have to prove the mark...Mike, I think I am going to have to prove the market for my book. It is different, therefore I expect traditional publishers to be reluctant to take the risk, but I know the market is there.<br /><br />I'm working on the traditional route, but am almost ready to self-publish.<br /><br />I'm planning on using BookBaby, but read some negative reviews today, so more research needed!!Team Oyeniyihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06297327787928055358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-66903704424160400502013-01-03T19:03:49.029+02:002013-01-03T19:03:49.029+02:00That's good information; the approach is every...That's good information; the approach is everything and how much drive and ambition you put into work. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02233954307419635424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-82745670955782500172012-09-29T03:27:44.114+03:002012-09-29T03:27:44.114+03:00Thank you for the interesting article. I've ju...Thank you for the interesting article. I've just published my first novel (fiction) on my own through amazon, which I've heard is the new Big Dog. I'm very new to the process, and trying to learn everything I can to edit, market and sell my book. I don't consider myself a marketing type, but I certainly like to have 100% control over my work. I'm sure if you sell a lot of books on your own, and crunch the numbers you end up walking away with a bigger profit than if you went with a Big Company - without a doubt. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18353395217800712712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-17586651279708855122012-09-28T09:17:23.514+03:002012-09-28T09:17:23.514+03:00Have you ever thought of basing a book around this...Have you ever thought of basing a book around this statement? "I’m quite sure if I were ever present in a committee meeting at Random House where they were discussing the packaging of my book, I would end up stabbing some button-down executive to death with a letter opener." There is huge potential for a novel here, and I'm sure all self-published authors would buy it! On a slightly more serious note, one thing I'd hate to have to change are my book covers. They represent the book as I understand them, not as some illustrator 'assumes' they are about. An interesting post Mike.Clive Eatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10715836839717237149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-80402732720091824802012-09-20T13:34:16.044+03:002012-09-20T13:34:16.044+03:00Great post, Mike. I decided to self-publish my no...Great post, Mike. I decided to self-publish my novel right from day one...though as it turned out I have entered a co-operative programme at a local small press, so it's not exactly self-published as it did have to be accepted/approved. My reasons for going the indie route were multiple--one, I am impatient! It could take me a year to get an agent, six months or more for a publisher to decided yes or no on the manuscript, and then 18 months to see the book in print. I was also scared I would end up with a ghastly cover that would put people off or give them the wrong idea. My novel STONE LORD is set in prehistoric bronze age Britain...I had horrible visions of a cover filled with shaggy cavemen or bulging-thewed barbarian types in loin cloths! Or worse, because the book used Arthurian themes, they might get it altogether wrong and draw knights and medieval ladies!<br /> I also have based much of the story on actual anthropology/archaeology of this period, and didn't want someone fiddling with that aspect because they thought it was too 'dark' and not 'new agey' enough.<br /> I put up a blog to gauge interest and have had over 3000 hits in around 6 months even without a product. I am quite looking forward to doing the self-promo when the book actually comes out later this year; it's kind of a fun challenge!StoneLordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338820506795034334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-6962996141775130192012-08-14T18:23:17.113+03:002012-08-14T18:23:17.113+03:00Ugh..."they're writing". Their. I...Ugh..."they're writing". Their. I'll ignore my comma placement. Note: Finish morning caffeine before commenting publicly. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-25337400357720427682012-08-14T18:19:10.733+03:002012-08-14T18:19:10.733+03:00Bang on. I was on the traditional path. My writing...Bang on. I was on the traditional path. My writing partner and I won the lottery and landed a dream agent who enthusiastically submitted our mss to the big six. If there's such thing as "good" rejection letters, that's what we received. So now what? <br /><br />Self publish? Isn't that what people do when they're writing isn't good enough for real publishers? That's what I believed. Surprise. <br /><br />The learning curve is steep but as a veteran entrepreneur, it suddenly makes a ton of sense. We'll see what happens in September when we launch the first novel of a five book adventure science fiction series!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-41884137153355636872012-08-05T12:17:41.213+03:002012-08-05T12:17:41.213+03:00Thanks so much Mike. I recognised myself in your d...Thanks so much Mike. I recognised myself in your description, and it has removed any lingering doubts I have had about taking this path for my first novel.kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13331945190338114533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-67551094393299086182012-06-24T18:58:18.460+03:002012-06-24T18:58:18.460+03:00Great post. I have long been mulling over this exa...Great post. I have long been mulling over this exact issue but on reading your post I think all has become clear to me (*see sudden image of herself stabbing aforementioned publishing executive to death) Self publishing it is then!<br /><br />MollyxxxMollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092277852521491869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-45452046843550227852012-06-17T21:30:06.693+03:002012-06-17T21:30:06.693+03:00I went the SP route with my first novel, partly be...I went the SP route with my first novel, partly because it was about the first year of the Civil War and I wanted to release it for the sesquicentennial--the glacial pace of publishing wouldn't have allowed that to happen. It has been successful--I have gotten good reviews and have sold over 500 copies. I have been pretty active in the self-promotion--yes, entrepreneurial!--and have done quite a bit, but I still have (perhaps pipe) dreams that a traditional publisher would do more. <br /><br />My new novel has more mass-market appeal I think (CW gets pigeon-holed easily) and I'm in process of trying to find an agent--it is historical magical realism, so people are nervous if they haven't marketed this. No route is easy! <br /><br />My biggest challenge is that my 'day job' is being CEO and principle consultant of my own company--that is also entrepreneurial and takes plenty of time . . . deciding how to balance these two passions of mine is the challenge. The writing is my true love, but the consulting business does provide faster ways to pay the bills! Would a traditional publisher improve this balance if I found one?? We'll see!Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07928142308917983666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-9564226080477661662012-04-17T23:40:15.501+03:002012-04-17T23:40:15.501+03:00hi Mike!!! this is really very interesting post! v...hi Mike!!! this is really very interesting post! very helpful and you have the point. it is also very hard to trust and let your work to be commanded by others. but it is not also easy to do all things by your own. need alot of courage, patience and time!<br />you did a great job! i'm already trying to get one of your book in amazon.it hopefully can get it soon!!!<br />more power to you!!!<br />xoxo, Megprettymeggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14206030115239785261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-76646497719464392752012-04-14T23:37:56.627+03:002012-04-14T23:37:56.627+03:00Mike: Great post! Thanks for laying out in plain a...Mike: Great post! Thanks for laying out in plain and simple English. I'll be referring back to this post again and again. Thank you!Not available.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15243624911463109518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-53639304346899551852012-03-22T17:30:16.153+02:002012-03-22T17:30:16.153+02:00Thanks again Mike. Another re-assuring piece. It&#...Thanks again Mike. Another re-assuring piece. It's great that the age-old '1% of submitted manuscripts ever get published' line is now not so daunting. I can self-publish my novel and work my socks off, gaining pride, strength, confidence and experience along the way and 'meeting' some great people with excellent guidance and advice like yourself. My debut novel is due to hit Kindle et al in the next month or so, and I've picked up so much toward putting together a marketing strategy from advice from successful authors online. This is so much better than waiting three months for a rejection letter with no feedback! The 21st century and the age of the Internet has really made a difference to us, and to the future of book reading and publishing. Thanks again!David MCGowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05525852237221203746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8799373378016545552.post-23040498777083577852012-03-10T08:21:44.432+02:002012-03-10T08:21:44.432+02:00You said a lot of sensible things, but the most im...You said a lot of sensible things, but the most important in my view is: "... you can self-publish your book for the sole purpose of proving the market for it."<br /><br />Yes - I agree. When authors do not write tightly within a category or genre, they need to summon a readership themselves. But, in your parlance, this is no mean feat!!<br /><br />I have a boot in both camps, and it suits me so far, although sales of my independently released titles are far more volatile than the ones in the hands of a publisher.<br /><br />Still, nothing is set in stone: the market, readers, authors... everyone is still feeling their way in the dark, because changes have been so radical since the middle of 2010. It will all come to some sort of temporary stasis, and then it will change again. <br /><br />In the meantime, we are all doing our best to turn out the highest quality work we can, no matter how we send it out to be read by the world.<br /><br />Thanks for this!Rosanne Dinglihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18297891545294681562noreply@blogger.com