Comments on: The Problem With Self-Publishing http://loudpoet.com/2009/02/06/the-problem-with-self-publishing/ loudpoet.com: Blogging it like it is since 2003 Tue, 01 May 2012 20:02:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lindsay Price http://loudpoet.com/2009/02/06/the-problem-with-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-2825 Lindsay Price Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:10:51 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=1883#comment-2825 Agreed, first impressions are critical. It's really not that hard to be a successful self publisher, speaking as one who has moved from 'self' to 'independent' with an actual roster of writers now. You need a good website (simple and easy to navigate), an outside eye to catch editing mistakes (it's amazing how they get missed) and a simple, simple design. <br><br>Further, a defined target market is essential. I think niche markets are where the self publisher thrives. A well defined narrow market is always going to be easier to hit and maintain contact with than to try to compete with mass distribution.... Agreed, first impressions are critical. It's really not that hard to be a successful self publisher, speaking as one who has moved from 'self' to 'independent' with an actual roster of writers now. You need a good website (simple and easy to navigate), an outside eye to catch editing mistakes (it's amazing how they get missed) and a simple, simple design.

Further, a defined target market is essential. I think niche markets are where the self publisher thrives. A well defined narrow market is always going to be easier to hit and maintain contact with than to try to compete with mass distribution….

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://loudpoet.com/2009/02/06/the-problem-with-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-2823 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:12:33 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=1883#comment-2823 While you can't always judge a book by its cover, first impressions are critical and amateurish cover design and sloppy editing limit a lot of self-published books from reaching a wider audience, especially via traditional distribution channels. It's worth noting that major bookstore buyers have a lot of influence over traditional publishers' cover design and format choices, too. While you can't always judge a book by its cover, first impressions are critical and amateurish cover design and sloppy editing limit a lot of self-published books from reaching a wider audience, especially via traditional distribution channels. It's worth noting that major bookstore buyers have a lot of influence over traditional publishers' cover design and format choices, too.

]]> By: Carol Bodensteiner http://loudpoet.com/2009/02/06/the-problem-with-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-2819 Carol Bodensteiner Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:53:49 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=1883#comment-2819 Bookstore managers tell me the first clue to self published vs. 'big house' publisher is cover design and the second is errors in copy. They say they can't tell my book is self published because I spent the money on a quality cover design and copy editing. Bookstore managers tell me the first clue to self published vs. 'big house' publisher is cover design and the second is errors in copy. They say they can't tell my book is self published because I spent the money on a quality cover design and copy editing.

]]> By: Mark http://loudpoet.com/2009/02/06/the-problem-with-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-2165 Mark Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:33:18 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=1883#comment-2165 If a self published book was beside a book from a big house -- how could a potential reader tell the difference? Wicked post. If a self published book was beside a book from a big house — how could a potential reader tell the difference?

Wicked post.

]]> By: Julia http://loudpoet.com/2009/02/06/the-problem-with-self-publishing/comment-page-1/#comment-2164 Julia Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:21:05 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=1883#comment-2164 Interesting post, Guy. And thanks for your kind words about HS. Interesting post, Guy. And thanks for your kind words about HS.

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