I have heard Amazon publishing is easier but is it as good as traditional publis

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   Shandersposted 12 years ago

   I have heard Amazon publishing is easier but is it as good as traditional publishing?
   
   I am considering publishing some of my work but am a little confused/overwhelmed by the process. I have heard good things about publishing via Amazon/Kindle but is it as beneficial as paper publishing? I don't necessarily mean monetarily but as far as reaching an audience and being read? I have a tone of other questions about the differences between Amazon publishing and traditional publishing so any input/advice would be appreciated!

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   Becky Katzposted 12 years ago

   I have several friends that have gone the route of self-publishing. Something that you need to remember is that it is very hard to get a publisher to publish your books. The advantage is that they will do the advertising for you. Make sure you get that part in a contract if you go that route. I have heard that some will charge you for publishing and then you have all these books and no way to sell them.
   Advertising is key, no matter which way you go. You will still need to advertise.
   Self-publishing is considered a gateway to being published. I know that many have self-published and then been picked up at a publishing house. It is also an acceptable practice to have a free download for a week or so, to let the word get out about your writing.
   If you want help for your first efforts, to help you figure out what you are doing and getting a cover design; mckbrdbks has helped several people get their books published. Sunnie Day, Marcoujor, and WillStarr are among them. He will walk you through the steps and help you for a price, which would have to be arranged with him. I believe he also helps by doing some advertising.

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   Shandersposted 12 years ago

   Thank you Becky! Very informative and useful, now I have somewhere to start. Thanks so much!

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   PAPA-BEARposted 12 years ago

   I almost want to say sadly. for traditional publishing has kind of vanished from its seat of prominence, eBook's have gobbled their way to be the main force, which is kind of sad. I just love the feel of a physical book, and my books in paperback do mean more to me than the eBooks I have pushed out. Go traditional and make it an eBook.

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      Shandersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, there's nothing like the feel of holding the real thing, and I have to say to see my words in print would be probably the most amazing thing ever, but like you said as well, traditional publishing has been somewhat phased out...

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   Smirelesposted 12 years ago

   Self publishing is overwhelming. If you are able to market your work yourself once it is published you will do well. If you are willing to pay for professional editing and other processes you should do well. You need to understand that self publishing is just that. You do everything from format your work to market and advertise. It is a long process, but if you want to see your work in print or downloadable through the various e-book markets it can be done. The truth is that to make real money in publishing you must know how to market your work. That is the bottom line.

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   Beaksposted 12 years ago

   For most people, no, it isn't as good. There are so, so, so many people self-publishing right now that you immediately get lost in the shuffle. There is no prestige that comes with self-publishing. Everyone knows that you can publish anything at all to Kindle no matter how bad it is. Agents and publishers have high standards, and when you get published traditionally, so the quality is generally better. Too often people are using Kindle publishing as a way to avoid improving their writing because they know it can't be turned down. If you're serious about a writing career, go traditional. If this is just a way to market or to make a little extra money, go to Kindle.

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      Smirelesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Great advice.

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      Shandersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Beak An excellent confirmation of what I was thinking, My biggest worry is not failing to turn a profit but failing to reach as many readers as I can.

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   Glenn Stokposted 12 years ago

   I have two books on the Kindle. Publishing on Kindle has some advantages that provide a better reader experience, such as the ability to make each item in the table of contents clickable to go to the start of each chapter.
   
   Another advantage is that if you find errors after you publish, you can correct them and upload a new file without any penalty fees. When one publishes a printed book, there are fees involved for republishing to make changes. And some publishers may not even allow changes to begin with.
   
   Something else I like is that if you have the book in printed form on Amazon, they will link the Kindle version and the printed version together in the listings.
   
   All in all, I've had a pretty good experience with Kindle publishing. But the answers I see here from Beaks and others here are also very important considerations since you do have to understand that you will be responsible for your own proof-reading and marketing.

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