Write to Publish: Why does it have to be one way or the other?

Write to Publish: Why does it have to be one way or the other?

I couldn't agree more.


In fact, this is something that has me somewhat stressed out.  There's one site that I like to frequent on a fairly regular basis, and I see a lot more "indie bashing" or "self publishing bashing" or "traditional publishing bashing" or whatever you want to call it going on there.

Maybe I'm hypersensitive about it.

Or maybe it's something else.  Who knows?

But...you know what?

It doesn't have to be one way or the other, as Robin Sullivan says in the great post I've linked to above.
Her husband just recently inked a deal with Orbit for his series, which originally was self/indie pubbed.  I congratulated her and her husband on the deal, and it was (and continues to be) genuine.

Why wouldn't I want someone to go for something like that?  Besides, Orbit will be coming out with the books in paperback (and newer ebook versions) very quickly.  At least, I think the pbacks are coming out quickly, with the ebooks to follow soon thereafter.

Doesn't matter (altho I like that it's not taking 12-18 months to publish these puppies).

The way I look at it, as long as all the information is out there for the potential writer to peruse, each individual writer has to decide which way he/she wants to go.

Let me say that again.

Each individual writer has to decide which way he/she wants to go.

But to thine own self be true.  While indie may work for me or two guys down the line, it might not work for you - due to all sorts of circumstances.

As long as the information is out there as to what to look for - and what to look out for - the writer is now in the driver's seat.  You can go traditional/legacy, self pub/indie, or go epub-only publishing (which exists, especially in romance).  As usual, YMMV, as to writing, promotion, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Isn't it nice, though, that there isn't just one car to pick from?  Or one saloon to drink at?  (You get the drift.)

Don't like the idea of wearing different hats to get your stuff "out there"?  That's one reason to point you at traditional publishers.  Want to get your stuff out there a lot sooner than traditional?  Look into epublishers.  If you like the idea of wearing different hats or are curious as to what you might be able to do on your own, try the self pubbing route.

Or you can do all three.  (Why not?  Nothing holding you back from doing that...)

And please, people, enough with the bashing of any of these publishing choices.  Do your research, decide what works best for you, and go for it! :-)