Maybe what's confusing and complicated is that right now there is such a wide range of options available to any author. Not so long ago, there were only really two: get published by a traditional publisher or go through a vanity press, so any reasonably serious author didn't really have a choice to make. So perhaps what a lot of authors are finding most difficult is that now they have to work out what they actually want their writing to achieve and then choose the best option. But don't think you're alone in feeling confused! If you've checked out Kris Rusch's posts, you'll see that she admits to not knowing the answers in many areas, because everything's changing so fast.

I think there's a certain kind of author who will find self-publishing an attractive and effective option. Someone who's had books published but then fell foul of publisher's commercial imperatives. Often, this kind of author is actually more innovative and interesting than the majority of regularly published writers. He or she wasn't able, or willing, to kow-tow to publisher's demands for more of the same, to be branded, etc. And the evidence is suggesting that the new internet-savvy readers are quite capable of finding these kinds of writers online, providing their books are there to be found, of course.

Terry

It is certainly something I am researching a little bit myself. I a member of a fiction critique group and we are thinking of putting an anthology together. It is probably something we could get a traditional small publisher to take on for us - especially a local one - but we are looking into self publishing because we want total control over the project.

Snowbooks is a respectable small traditional publisher, Pat. I don't expect them to be supporting self-publishing any time soon, if at all.

It is probably something we could get a traditional small publisher to take on for us - especially a local one

'Probably' or 'possibly'? Most small publishers turn down anthologies unless the stories are written by published authors who can attract their established readerships with them. If it's a group of CW students then the readership will laargely be limited to their families and friends.

Probably. We've already had interest and everyone in the group has a publishing record. But there'd be no real money in it for us, and we'd like the control of self publishing - and also the experience. We like the idea of finding out how to do all the work ourselves.

Thanks for the link Jen. Completely Novel looks quite user friendly. I'm going to have a better look at the site now.

Pat

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Sorry got the name wrong, Jenn!! This looks quite promising as it's got the free option or 2 others and you can change later on. I'm going to look at a couple of others that have been mentioned on this thread.
I'm beginning to feel more enthusiastic about my book again. I just got so fed up with rejections, especially after them saying how much they liked it! I've been feeling that I can't be bothered with it any more. But I like the feeling of being able to take control of it all, once I've worked out how!

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

Pat

hi

just picking up on this thread as a newbie to WW, you might want to check out Blurb.com too. Although the focus is mainly on books with imagery, I've published 2 picture books using this site, they do a couple of sizes for text only + covers from £2.50 per book depending on page count.

I've found their software really user-friendly, and as is the site which guides you through everything in a really uncomplicated way with video tutorials as well. You also don't have to faff around with ISBN numbers if you don't want to, unlike others sites like CreateSpace and Lulu. (You could use it to do a trial run of your book and order just one copy to see how it pans out). There's a facility on there for people to buy your book directly from the site and you can set your profit margin as with others.

They don't provide an e:book service nor do they do offer other publishing services such as marketing, etc. but the 'blurberati' community forums are v helpful with some of this stuff.

They are a little expensive for selling image books, but the quality is excellent - V. good for one-offs or very small POD runs. I'm thinking of publishing via CreateSpace to get the books out to a wider audience.

Hope this helps

LM

Thanks Lorna, that's interesting. I've found a local printer who apparently makes a great job of books, but I haven't been to see them yet as I'm waiting for someone to paint a cover for me.
My husband's going in for an operation tomorrow so I'm feeling a bit unable to concentrate on much at the moment. I'm printing out all of the info on this thread and will sort it all out later on. Thanks for the interest.

Pat